Upon the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's announcement of funding for the Trust's Lessons from Auschwitz Universities Project, alongside the Union of Jewish Students, Karen Pollock MBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust said:
“As we mark 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, we are reminded today of the importance of speaking out against antisemitism, wherever it is found.
“Student leaders themselves are at the coalface on campus combatting the antisemitism that blights many students’ university experience. We are proud therefore that thanks to new government funding we will be able to offer a unique opportunity for student leaders and Vice-Chancellors for the next three years to visit Auschwitz. They will see for themselves the site where 1.1 million people were murdered, to understand where hate can ultimately lead and I hope this experience will empower them to stand up to prejudice, hatred and division on campus and in broader society.
“We are proud to partner with the Union of Jewish Students to deliver this important project.”
The funding will enable the Trust, in partnership with UJS, to take 150 student leaders to the former Nazi death and concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau over three consecutive years.