OSCE Mission to Moldova facilitates nationwide workshop on the history of the Holocaust

Around 175 school teachers from all over Moldova attended a workshop on the history of the Holocaust from 1 to 3 December 2020. The OSCE Mission to Moldova, in co-ordination with the Moldovan Ministry of Education, Culture and Research, facilitated the workshop for school teachers to learn about the teaching methodology for the optional school course "The Holocaust: History and Lessons of life", which was introduced in September 2019.

The teachers discussed topics outlined in the Methodological Guide, which experts developed with the Mission's support in 2019. The Guide is a practical instrument for teaching the optional course with a strong emphasis on the local history context. 

Participants were presented with a large variety of sources for their work, ranging from historic documents and maps to short documentary films as well as personal stories of Holocaust survivors.  The workshop also included an overview of online resources available at Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre located in Israel as well as an overview of several educational projects prepared by university and school students.

Participants said that they especially appreciated the practical approach adopted by the trainers, which equipped them with practical skills necessary for effective teaching of the optional course. 

The training workshop was conducted in Romanian and Russian languages, thus facilitating participation of teachers from schools with both languages of instruction. 

As part of its broader engagement to promote awareness and a conciliatory dialogue, the OSCE Mission to Moldova has supported the Moldovan authorities in the implementation of the country’s first action plan on the Holocaust remembrance and education in 2017-2019, and will provide further assistance in the realization of the next thematic policy document.