Projects / Learning from the Past – Acting for the Future

Teaching about the Holocaust and Social Justice

Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, July 7-11, 2019

This project is developed by The Olga Lengyel Institute, in partnership with the American University in Bulgaria, Shalom Organization, Central Israelite Religious Council of Bulgaria and Amalipe Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance.

The aim of the project is to contribute to increasing the quality of education regarding the Holocaust and social justice in Bulgaria. The program provides a rich opportunity to integrate national and international approaches in teaching about these topics and in understanding the contemporary relevance of this important part of modern history.

The objectives of the program are to:

·         Develop teachers’ awareness of historical and current dialectical discussions concerning the Holocaust and other instances of social injustice;

·         Develop teachers’ understanding of the impact of stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination at individual, group and society level;

·         Develop teachers’ understanding of the Jewish life before and after the Holocaust;

·         Increase appreciation for innovative, student-centered teaching methods, including extra-curricular activities and partnerships between school and other institutions and organizations

·         Promote a blended approach of Holocaust education and Human Rights education.

The methodology of the training is learner centered, based on the principles of experiential learning and a human rights-based approach in education. A variety of methods are used in order to stimulate the engagement of participants, their reflections and a high level of interaction: presentations, analysis, discussions, reflections, group work, videos, visits, guest speakers, survivors’ testimonies, etc.

The program comprises a total of 32 academic hours.