Hundreds of young people join the Holocaust Educational Trust’s ambassador conference

Hundreds of people from across the UK gathered in London for the Holocaust Educational Trust’s (HET) latest ambassador conference.

Participants included young people, along with Holocaust survivors, the Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, leading academics, and Parliamentarians.

Marking a decade since the launch of the Ambassador Programme, the Conference was an opportunity for participants to learn more about the past and consider how they can ensure its legacy for future generations.

The young Ambassadors have visited the former Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau as part of the Trust’s Lessons from Auschwitz Project.

Participants heard from Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, author and journalist Lord Finkelstein interviewed by Times Radio journalist Matt Chorley, daughter of the late Zigi Shipper z’l Michelle Richman, Head of our Ambassador Programme Lord Browne, Holocaust survivor Janine Webber BEM, Professor Robert Eaglestone, Professor Phillip Spencer, and academics and experts from across the sector.

At the Conference, HET launched its #10for10 campaign where Ambassadors were encouraged to mark 10 years of the Programme by taking 10 actions to further their Holocaust education and journey. This could be anything from organising an event for Holocaust Memorial Day to reading a book.

The Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, said that he will “emerge from being here with you, inspired in the knowledge of knowing that all of you are committing yourselves towards contributing to a better world. You’ve got precious time and it’s so touching and meaningful for me to know that you’re investing your time and your talents and your wisdom and your efforts into this particular initiative.”

“It is not easy; you’re surrounded by sadness. The details are harrowing. And that’s why I appreciate, on behalf of our community, everything that those of you have already been doing and that some of you will be doing in the future. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much for being our ambassadors.”

Lord Browne of Madingley said: “The Holocaust was the most despicable of inhuman acts. It was the high point of human evil, and it occurred within living memory. So, we need to remember the essence of this and live our lives and encourage others to live their lives in a way which denies it and accepts it, and makes everyone inclusive, an inclusive way of life so that we do not let it happen again.”

“[The Ambassadors] are committed to the legacy of the Holocaust and take responsibility for sharing the testimonies of the Holocaust survivors [they] have met. [They] are the advocate for change in society. Speaking out proactively against antisemitism and hatred. There can be no more important cause than this.”

Addressing Ambassadors, Holocaust Educational Trust Chief Executive Karen Pollock said: “Whatever the connection, you are all our Ambassadors. Voices for the voiceless. Protecting the memory of the Holocaust. The generation who will shape the legacy well into the future.”

Following the conference, Karen said: “I am delighted that so many of our incredible young Ambassadors from every corner of the country joined us at this year’s Ambassador Conference. They are the generation who will remember and act as witnesses for our beloved and brave survivors when the Holocaust moves out of living memory. They are the ones who will speak about the dangers of antisemitism in communities across this country. We are very grateful for their dedication, eagerness to learn, and passion for defending the truth of the Holocaust”.