Youngsters at Downing Street for Holocaust commission competition

Six youngsters descended on Downing Street this week to offer their ideas for keeping alive the memory of the Shoah in Britain after winning a nationwide essay competition.

Ben Jones (20) from Cambridge, Ashleigh Dalziel (20) fom Tyne and Wear, Benjamin Alford (17) from Newton Abbot, Abigail Luke (17) from Bromley, Charlotte Cohen (16) from Lancashire and Izzy Smith (16) from Surrey were selected from nearly 800 entries to discuss their thoughts with members of the David Cameron’s Holocaust Commission.

Ed Balls, Michael Gove , Natasha Kaplinsky and Commission Chair Mick Davis heard suggestions such as a time capsule project, a kite mark for schools excelling in Holocaust education and apps for mobile phones were raised.

One of the six young people attending the forum will be selected by Nobel Peace Prize winner and survivor Elie Weisel to become a member of the Commission charged by the prime minister with investigating what more Britain should do to ensure it has a fitting memorial and the right educational resources.

The Commission will draw up recommendations to be submitted to Cameron in December ahead of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

Karen Pollock, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: “We are delighted that so many young people took part in this competition and we are especially proud that, out of hundreds of entries, our Ambassadors Ben, Charlotte, Ashleigh and Benjamin have were selected to sit on the forum. They began their journey as participants in our Lesson’s from Auschwitz Project and have been inspired to share their learning with others.

“As the Holocaust moves further into history, the passion of these young people will be vital in shaping the outcomes of the Prime Minister’s Holocaust Commission and in ensuring that the Holocaust is remembered for generations to come.”