Publication
Countering Holocaust denial and distortion: a guide for teachers
A toolbox to uphold the truth
Antisemitic hate speech, disinformation, and conspiracy theories thrive during crises, making it vital for teachers to address these issues in school curricula. Social media has significantly amplified the spread of such harmful content, including Holocaust denial and distortion. These falsehoods, rooted in antisemitic prejudice and conspiratorial thinking, threaten our shared historical memory and promote hatred.
To effectively combat these issues, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the Holocaust —how and why the genocide of the Jewish people occurred. This knowledge helps us recognize the causes and risk factors, contributing to the prevention of future atrocity crimes and the fight against antisemitism. In the digital age, it is also imperative to be able to decipher the manipulation of history, and the misrepresentation of the past.
The guide provides teachers with the necessary tools and guidance to prevent the spread of Holocaust denial and distortion. It equips teachers with knowledge, teaching principles, and strategies to foster digital literacy, historical understanding, and critical thinking in learners. Aimed primarily at history and social sciences teachers, it outlines key concepts, teaching methods, and approaches to counter Holocaust denial and distortion.
UNESCO also developed that feature 12 adaptable lessons focusing on historical literacy, media analysis, and social-emotional competencies.
