31 January 2014
DECS-RPD(2014)4

Committee on
the rights of people with disabilities

(DECS-RPD)

Report

The European Workshop on teaching about the Holocaust and the annihilation of people with disabilities at the Nazi time “Auschwitz – Memory and Education in the Context of European Identity”

Cracow - Oświęcim,

26-31 October 2013, Poland

organised by the Council of Europe and Auschwitz-Birkenau

State Museum and Pedagogical University of Cracow

by Mrs Marta BERECKA (Poland)

The views set out in this report are the author’s responsibility
and do not necessarily reflect the official line of the Council of Europe.

_______________________________________________________

This document is public. It will not be distributed at the meeting. Please bring this copy.

The European Workshop on teaching about the Holocaust and the annihilation of people with disabilities at the Nazi time took place in Poland, October 26-31, 2013. The Workshop was co-organized by the Council of Europe, the International Center for Education about Auschwitz and the Holocaust in Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum and Pedagogical University of Cracow.

It was the seventh workshop related to the topic of memory and education in memorial sites. They are addressed to teachers and educators from countries belonging to the Council of Europe, signatories to the European Cultural Convention which are engaged in teaching about the Holocaust or coordinate educational projects for youth, especially in the context of the Holocaust Remembrance Day and prevention of crimes against humanity. Since 2006 six seminars organized jointly by the Council of Europe, Polish Ministry of National Education, ICEAH in Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum and University of Cracow have been organized within the program of Pestalozzi European Workshops, i.e.:

Auschwitz – History and Symbolism, 10-15 September 2006.
Auschwitz — History, Memory and Education, 12-17 October 2007.
Auschwitz – Remembering for the Future. Teaching the Holocaust in the Authentic Memorial Site, 7-13 September 2008.
Auschwitz and the Holocaust in the Context of Teaching Remembrance in Europe, 21-25 September 2009.
Auschwitz and the Holocaust in the Context of Human Rights Education, 10-16 October 2010.
Teaching about the Holocaust: Integration of Site Visits in the pedagogical work,
8-14 October 2011.

The workshops were held in Cracow and Oświęcim and were the realization of the commitment made by the Polish Minister of Education Mirosław Sawicki during the Second Seminar of European Education Ministers on “Teaching remembrance through cultural heritage” organized in Cracow, 4-6 May, 2005 by the Polish Ministry of National Education and Sport. The idea of organization of trainings for teachers was one of the initiatives taken and realized by the Council of Europe and co-partners institutions both in the framework of Pestalozzi Programme and “Teaching Remembrance” project. The most important objectives of the education for the prevention of crimes against humanity are:

to help schoolchildren to find out about and exhibit an awareness of the events that cast a shadow over European and world history and recognize the uniqueness of the Holocaust as the first deliberate attempt to exterminate people worldwide,
to educate pupils in the prevention of crimes against humanity,
to train teachers for the task by setting up and co-ordinating in-service training schemes in member states,
to produce the teaching material they will need to perform this task,
to set up an European network linking memorial sites, foundations and all other relevant bodies.

The fundamental principles of the Council of Europe are human rights, democracy, tolerance, multiculturality and multidiversity. Trainings held in the authentic places where mass murders were committed give participated educators a unique perspective and practical knowledge how to approach historical issues, how to teach about the past and learn from the past to prepare next generations to live in a democratic society.

As with the seventh Workshop of its kind the programme drew on previous experience and the feedback received from participants of previous European Workshops but because realized exceptionally not in the framework of Pestalozzi Programme some additional subjects were included this year. The main aims of the Workshop were:

to provide teachers and educators with the history of the largest German Nazi concentration and death camp,
to acquaint participants with educational aspects of authentic Holocaust-related memorial sites,
to broaden teacher’s knowledge on the history of Poland and Polish Jews,
to prepare participants for organization of study visits and preparation of lessons about the Holocaust and elimination of people with disabilities at the Nazi time,
to create possible cooperation between the participating educators by the exchange of experiences and good practices.

In connection with objectives stated in Recommendation Rec (2006)5 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on the Council of Europe Disability Action Plan 2006-2015 i.e. objectives stated in Action line No. 2 (Participation in cultural life, p.3.2.3) and Action line No. 4 (Education, p. 3.4.3), special focus in the programme of the Workshop was put on issues concerning situation of people with disabilities, both in the historical context and contemporary educational programs. That is why one of the aims of this year’s training was to acquaint participants with the project “Hard, Simple Words” developed by the International Center for Education about Auschwitz and the Holocaust for people with disabilities, especially intellectual, for visiting the grounds of the former KL Auschwitz.

The importance of the visit in the authentic memorial site and the impact of the emotions and role of these factors in the process of education was the reason of including into the programme workshops conducted by the authors of “European Pack for visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. Guidelines for teachers and educators”.

The guide, published in 2011 is an English language resource and a result of several years of cooperation between experts from the Council of Europe, International Center for Education about Auschwitz and the Holocaust, the Polish Ministry of Education and the Polish Institute of National Remembrance. The publication divided into three main parts: “Before the visit”, “During the visit” and “After the visit” contains all necessary and practical information about organization of the visit with youth in Memorial Site including scans of historical documents and plans of lessons.

“Teachers must prepare students for a form of learning they may never have met before. The pack offers insights into the complexities of human behavior so that students can have a better understanding of what it means to be a citizen. How are they concerned by what happened at Auschwitz? Is the unprecedented process of exclusion that was practiced in the Holocaust still going on in Europe today? In what sense is it different from present-day racism and anti-Semitism?” wrote the Authors of the publication.

The process of recruitment was open to the public and the programme of the Workshop was advertised on the Council of Europe’s website as well as within the network of the co-partners.

Finally, 22 participants from 7 countries, i.e. Belgium, France, Germany, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Poland and United Kingdom attended in the Workshop. They were mainly history teachers from secondary and high schools who work with young people with disabilities as well as these who would like to implement a knowledge about the fate of people with disabilities during Nazi time in Europe into their lessons and educational projects. The presence of the representatives of teachers trainees and institutions promoting equal opportunities for people with disabilities e.g. EASPD brought to the discussions/to the Workshop a unique mix of experiences, views and different perspectives.

The programme began in auditorium of co-hosted institution - Pedagogical University of Cracow. During first day of the Workshop participants were introduced to issues related to the historical perspective of teaching the Holocaust in Poland. The other presentation of the first day referred to main projects which the Council of Europe has initiated in recent years, especially the project “Teaching remembrance – education for the prevention of crimes against humanity”, CoE fundamental principles and rationale of the Workshop, also the status of people with disabilities within society throughout history. Moreover, the participants were acquainted with the European Pack for the first time. Having earlier the opportunity to visit the Jewish quarter in Cracow and learned about Jewish tradition and life in Cracow participants agreed that the first part of the programme of the Workshop was a very good introduction to the 5 days training. Lectures and presentations were to be found very informative, interesting and according to the opinion of the participants gave them useful overview delivered by all speakers in an exceptionally professional way.

The second part of the Workshop was held in Oświęcim in the authentic, historical site. Similarly, like during the first day of the Workshop the participants learned primarily about Jewish life in Oświęcim before the WWII. Only later on they were given introductory lecture about the persecution of people with disabilities during Nazi time and the fate of the victims of KL Auschwitz and took part in specialized, two days guided study tour of the grounds of the former camp.

Practical methods, pedagogical approach, tips for activities for students and different perspectives which should be taken into account when evaluating the visit were given to participants during active workshop based again on the “European Pack for visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum”. Following, the educators were familiarized with projects coordinated by the staff of the International Center for Education about Auschwitz and the Holocaust and its role as a center of historical and civic education.

The participants appreciated very much interactive way of leading workshops, good ideas for group work based on well-chosen examples from the manual. It was emphasized that useful mixture of factual information and visuals was used in presentations, many new topics were discussed and good ideas for interesting methods and sources while working with students were presented.

One of the highlights of the fourth day of the Workshop was presentation of “Hard, Simple Words”, educational project which has been developed by experts from ICEAH and specialists in oligophrenopedagogy for visiting grounds of the former Nazi German concentration and death camp KL Auschwitz by people with intellectual disabilities.

Each visit realized as a history lesson begins with 15 minute opening during which the visitors are introduced to the programme and to the uniqueness of the place which they will witness. Later on they are familiarized with original objects from the former camp and the route and historical explanations are adapted for their intellectual and emotional level. During the visit participants are also introduced to the specially designed exhibition where they can see and touch replicas of wooden bunks, prisoner’s shoes, striped uniforms or eating utensils. In the same building a safe space is provided for students where they can express their feelings and emotions while drawing pictures. Some of the parts of the main exhibition presented in the Memorial are omitted during the lesson because of the sensitivity of the audience and possible problems in coping with particularly strong emotions.

A closing, optional part of the programme of the Workshop which however focused attention of almost all participants was a visit to the exhibition created in the administrative building of the former Oskar Schindler’s Factory in Cracow dedicated to the history of Cracow in the period 1939-1945.

During the evaluation session participants indicated that the content of the Workshop was extremely important for their future work. Moreover, having lectures in authentic site of the muss murder was very significant, uniquely powerful and provided a rare experience to them. In their feedback participants indicated the programme (workshops, lectures and presentations) as very informative.

Conclusions stated by participants of the Workshop stated during the evaluation meeting:

the programme was well balanced and in general included all important issues,
space for the discussion should be provided especially when important issues arise during lectures or workshops,
more involvement of participants should be taken into account, the opportunity of hearing/learning from the experience of other participants should not be missed,
more lectures about the situation of people with disabilities should be included,
a unique experience for participants was the opportunity of meeting the survivor of Auschwitz,
guided tours of the former camp were very informative, full of facts and mixed with the memoires of survivors,
presentations of the projects and discussed topics were regarded as well-prepared with cleverly chosen materials,
new methods and practical sources were presented during workshops,
some presentations should provide more information and documents especially these describing projects designed for people with disabilities.

In general participants stated that the seminar exceeded their expectations, it was emphasized that organization of such trainings with participation of educators from different countries, representing different level of teaching need to be continued. The main point raised from discussions and opinions was that the exchange of experiences is the best way to learn about different approaches and methods used by educators in particular countries. The educators expressed their appreciation to the Representative of the Council of Europe for the opportunity of being the participants of the Workshop and for a unique chance of taking part in disputes about situation of people with disabilities in the context of the remembrance teaching and education carried out in memorial sites.

Appendix 1: Seminar Programme

Auschwitz – Memory and Education in the Context of European Identity

European Workshop on teaching about the Holocaust and the annihilation of people with disabilities at the Nazi time

Saturday, 26 October 2013 - Cracow
	Arrivals of participants, accommodation in the Ibis Hotel, Cracow
15.00 – 18.00	The Old City of Cracow and the Jewish Quarter in Kazimierz - guided study tour
19.30	Dinner, Cracow.
Sunday, 27 October 2013 - Cracow
09.30-10.00	Official opening of the European Workshop at the Pedagogical University of Cracow: Piotr Trojański, PhD, Representative of the Pedagogical University of Cracow Irena Kowalczyk-Kędziora, Representative of the Council of Europe - Remembrance of history and rights of people with disabilities at the European level Andrzej Kacorzyk, Director of the International Centre for Education about Auschwitz and the Holocaust Krystyna Oleksy, Chairman of the Board of the Memorial Foundation for the Victims of Auschwitz-Birkenau
10.00-11.00	Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust and for the Prevention of Crimes Against Humanity – presentation and discussion – Irena Kowalczyk -Kędziora, Council of Europe expert
11.00-11.30	Coffee break
11.30-12.30	“Teaching about the Holocaust in Poland. Historical perspective” - lecture and discussion – Piotr Trojański, Phd, Pedagogical University
12.30-13.30	“European Pack for Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum” – presentation of the publication - Alicja Białecka, Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum
13.30-15.00	Lunch, Cracow
15.00-16.30	Bus transfer to Oświęcim, accommodation in Olecki Hotel

17.30-19.00	“History through Art- historical education of disabled youth at the Auschwitz Museum based on the Polish-German Art workshops” – working session 1 – Ewa Guziak, International Youth Meeting Centre *
20.00	Dinner, Oświęcim

Monday, 28 October 2013 – Oświęcim
8.30	Bus transfer to the Auschwitz Jewish Centre in Oświęcim
9.00-10.30	“Life before and after Auschwitz: educational context” – Maciek Zabierowski, AJC - working session 2
10.30-11.30	Bus transfer to International Centre for Education about Auschwitz and the Holocaust, Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, Coffee break
11.30 – 13.00	“Nazi persecution of people with disabilities and its realization at KL Auschwitz” - lecture and discussion – Piotr Setkiewicz, PhD, Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum
13.00 – 14.30	Lunch – Olecki Restaurant
14.30 – 17.30	Guided study tour of the former camp Auschwitz I, including chosen national exhibitions (in small groups)
19.00	Dinner, Oświęcim

Tuesday, 29 October 2013 – Oświęcim
08.45	Transfer by bus to Birkenau
9.00 – 13.00	Guided study tour of Auschwitz II-Birkenau
13.00 – 14.30	Lunch – Olecki Restaurant
14.30 – 16.00	“After the visit: Evaluating the visit and getting back to normality” – working session 3 based on the manual – Alicja Białecka, Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum
16.00 – 16.30	Coffee break
16.30 – 18.00	“ICEAH as a Centre of Historical and Civic Education” – presentation and discussion – Marta Berecka, Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum
19.00	Dinner – Olecki Restaurant

Wednesday, 30 October 2013 – Oświęcim
08.30	Walk to the International Centre for Education about Auschwitz and the Holocaust
09.00 - 10.30	“Difficult–Simple Words” – educational program, specially adapted for people with intellectual disabilities, for visiting the grounds of the camp - presentation and discussion – Alicja Wójcik – Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum
10.30 - 11.00	Coffee break
11.00 – 12.30	“Life behind the barbed wire fence” - meeting with a survivor *
12.3 0 – 14.00	Lunch – Olecki Restaurant
14.00 - 15.30	Auschwitz Art and Museum Collections – working session 4 in the Collection Department – Agnieszka Sieradzka
15.30-16.00	Coffee break
16.00 - 17.30	Evaluation of the European Workshop - participants' reflections (certificates)
19.00	Departure to Cracow. Farewell dinner on the way to Cracow
Around 22.00	Arrival to Ibis Hotel, Cracow. Check in.
Thursday, 31 October 2013 – Cracow
After breakfast	Visit to the exhibition dedicated to the history of Cracow in the period 1939–1945 created in the administrative building of the former Oskar Schindler’s Factory. (Optional) Departure of participants

Appendix 2 – Press Release – Roma, LGBT, Anti-Racist, Disability and Jewish Organisations Stand Together on International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Roma, LGBT, Anti-Racist, Disability and Jewish Organisations Stand Together on International Holocaust Remembrance Day

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the European population recalls the genocide perpetrated by the Nazi regime and its allies of millions of Jews and Roma, and the massacre of tens of thousands that did not fit the Nazi ideology, including persons with disabilities, Jehovah's witnesses, homosexuals, and political opponents.

On this occasion, the European Roma and Travellers Forum (ERTF), the European Disability Forum (EDF), the European Grassroots Antiracist Movement (EGAM), the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC), the European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS), the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Youth and Student Organisation (IGLYO), René Cassin and the Roma Virtual Network (RVN) wish to express their deep concern over the rise of anti-Semitism and other xenophobic, extremist and racist movements in European countries today. Governments and general society seem unaware of the dangers that this development could pose in the future, and are oblivious to the fact that the Holocaust was the logical, tragic outcome of decades of tolerated latent anti-Semitism, Anti-Gypsyism, racism and hatred of the Other. The Holocaust happened because of year-long acquiescence to such growing roots of hate, and because too many people forfeited their sense of responsibility.

We therefore call on national governments as well as inter-governmental organisations, civil society organisation and individuals to act while there still is time and room to do so.

This Remembrance Day should not only commemorate the dead and celebrate those who upheld humanity in those dark times; it should serve as a most urgent appeal to all states to protect the Human Rights of minorities, and ensure the security of all citizens, regardless of their ethnicity, religion or belief, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. Strong policies for educating citizens on the unity, equality and dignity of all human beings need to be adopted immediately, and laws must be vigorously applied and enforced to stem the tide of racist ideologies.

If we do not act today, we may very well face an unthinkable situation tomorrow.

For more information, please contact one of the organizations listed bellow.

The European Roma and Travellers Forum (ERTF), which has a partnership agreement with the Council of Europe and a special status with this institution, is Europe’s largest and most inclusive Roma and Traveller organisation. It brings together Europe’s main international Roma-NGOs and more than 1,500 national Roma and Traveller organisations from most of the Council of Europe member states. The ERTF and its members are committed to the achievement of equal rights and equal opportunities for Roma in Europe as well as increasing political participation. The European Roma and Travellers Forum take active part in the fight against discrimination and for the full realisation of human rights.

Robert Rustem | Head of the Secretariat [email protected]

The European Disability Forum (EDF) is the European umbrella organisation representing the interests of 80 million persons with disabilities in Europe. The mission of EDF is to ensure disabled people full access fundamental and human rights through their active involvement in policy development and implementation in Europe. EDF is a member of the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and it is currently chairing its governing body.

Lila Sylviti | EDF Communication Officer | [email protected]

The European Grassroots Antiracist Movement EGAM was founded in November 2010 in Paris following racist attacks that took place in Rosarno, Southern Italy. These events faced no reaction but silence by European political leaders and civil society. Its main objective is to answer the rise in racism, anti-Semitism and populism in Europe and to structure civil society's commitment to equality and justice.

Paul Max Morin | Executive director | [email protected]

The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) is an international public interest law organisation working to combat anti-Romani racism and human rights abuse of Roma through strategic litigation, research and policy development, advocacy and human rights education. Since its establishment in 1996, the ERRC has endeavoured to provide Roma with the tools necessary to combat discrimination and achieve equal access to justice, education, housing, health care and public services.

Sinan Gokcen | Information Officer | [email protected]

The European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS) is the umbrella organization of 35 national Jewish student unions in Europe and the Former Soviet Union countries. EUJS strives to present a variety of perspectives through its leadership training programs, educational seminars and international conferences, all tailor-made to the needs of its students. Throughout its history, EUJS has placed itself at the cutting edge of inter-cultural and inter-religious programming, as well as programming related to genocide education, advocacy and Jewish continuity in Europe.

Nathan Chicheportiche | Executive director | [email protected]

IGLYO is the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Youth and Student Organisation. Created in 1984, today the IGLYO network is an important meeting point for LGBTQ youth in the European region. Run by young people, for young people, IGLYO aims to empower and enable its Members to ensure representation of LGBTQ youth and student issues. IGLYO’s approach promotes cooperation and joint strategies, and often advocates on behalf of Members to international bodies, institutions and other organisations.

Jordan Long| Programmes and Policy Officer| [email protected]

René Cassin is a human rights non-governmental organisation that works to promote and protect universal human rights, drawing on Jewish experience and values. The organisation is named in honour of M. René Cassin, a French Jew and Nobel Laureate who was one of the principal co-drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Shauna Leven| Director | [email protected]

The Roma Virtual Network (RVN) is a public grass-roots initiative providing the international Roma community and non-Roma organisations and individuals with useful information on Roma issues in variety of languages via the Internet. Since 1999 is actively helping in facilitating the cooperation and exchange of information within Roma organisations and individuals, between Roma and non-Roma organisations and individuals and also between Roma NGOs and official institutions. It deals with a variety of Roma-related political, cultural, economic and social issues on local and international levels.

Valery Novoselsky| Communication Officer | [email protected]