Holocaust Memorial Day Trust graduates first cohort of young ambassadors

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust has celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of its Next Gen Ambassador Programme, recognising young people who have spent the past year leading Holocaust education and remembrance initiatives across the UK.

More than 20 ambassadors aged between 18 and 25 were honoured at a ceremony in central London on Wednesday evening after completing the year-long programme focused on Holocaust remembrance, tackling prejudice and community engagement.

Participants took part in workshops, heard survivor testimony and developed projects aimed at encouraging Holocaust education among younger audiences. During the programme, ambassadors organised events, spoke at commemorations, delivered peer education sessions and appeared in national media coverage around Holocaust Memorial Day.

Speakers at the graduation event included Daniel Finkelstein OBE and former Home Secretary Sir Sajid Javid, who chairs the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.

Among the ambassadors recognised was Joseph Knowles, who spoke at this year’s UK Holocaust Memorial Day national ceremony. Molly Phillips wrote about Holocaust remembrance for The Big Issue, while Zafran Pervez appeared on BBC’s The One Show for Holocaust Memorial Day coverage.

Other ambassadors organised university and community remembrance events, represented the Trust on the UK delegation to the March of the Living in Poland and led educational sessions on Holocaust denial and distortion.

Olivia Marks-Woldman OBE, chief executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, said: “At a time when antisemitism is rising and Holocaust distortion and denial are becoming more widespread, especially online, it has never been more important for young people to become confident and compassionate voices within their communities.

“We are so proud of our Next Gen Ambassadors – their energy and commitment are an inspiration to the HMDT team. We know they will help ensure that lessons from the Holocaust continue to reach future generations and build a more informed and inclusive society.”

Joseph Knowles, an ambassador from Lincolnshire, said: “It has been a privilege to represent the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, and I look forward to carrying forward the skills and lessons I have gained through the programme as I continue engaging communities in remembering the past to protect our future. Meeting survivors and hearing their testimonies firsthand has been an especially powerful experience.”

Molly Phillips, a London-based ambassador, said the programme had inspired her to pursue a career in Holocaust education.

“Being a HMDT Next Gen Ambassador means putting my youth to use; it is carrying testimonies forward and gifting the next generation a responsibility beyond words,” she said.

“The HMDT Next Gen Ambassador programme has led me into a professional role in Holocaust Education – my work is only just getting started!”

Graduates of the inaugural programme were Rafaela Golding (London), Luke Henri Paetzold (Oxford), Issy Waite (London), Zafran Pervez (Leeds), Megan Davies (Gloucestershire), Keziah Miller (London), Macy Gaines (Hertfordshire), Antonio Coman (Brighton), Molly Phillips (London), Siobhan-Liorah Pentith (South Scotland), Libi Sears (London), Levona Zarum (London), Avital Cohen (London), Samuel Farag (Hertfordshire), Dani Abrams (London), Tziyona Elf (London), Joseph Knowles (Lincolnshire), Alexander Platt (London), Aimee Jayes (London), Alys Tynan (Southampton) and Joseph Slonim (London).

Applications for the next intake of the Next Gen Ambassador Programme are due to open in August.