The United States and Germany have announced further progress in their ongoing Dialogue on Holocaust Issues, marking significant milestones since its launch at the ministerial level in 2021. Both nations initiated this dialogue to combat Holocaust denial and distortion, forms of antisemitism that threaten societal values and security, and to explore innovative strategies to enhance Holocaust education.
The Dialogue aims to improve worldwide access to accurate Holocaust knowledge grounded in historical fact, facilitating learning for both leaders and the public to address contemporary challenges early. Participants in this collaborative effort include the U.S. Department of State, the German Federal Foreign Office, the German Foundation Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM).
An important aspect of the Dialogue's initiatives is the integration of Holocaust education into the annual Program on Applied Security Studies (PASS) at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, jointly managed by the U.S. and Germany. Since the pilot in 2022, experts have educated 230 senior military and civilian officials from over 50 countries. The curriculum now includes the Nazis' rise to power and the Holocaust's transnational effects to enhance understanding of modern mass atrocity warning signs.
The Dialogue also addresses the concerning trend of rehabilitating Holocaust-era criminals and individuals involved in Holocaust crimes. Through a guidance paper crafted by the USHMM and Stiftung Denkmal, the Dialogue commits to fostering honest engagement with Holocaust history.
Furthermore, both governments emphasize the importance of decentralized Holocaust remembrance efforts. While major concentration camp sites receive significant attention, local remembrance initiatives play a crucial role in making the Holocaust history accessible and acknowledging widespread impact. The governments plan to increase support for these local initiatives and encourage similar efforts in key partner countries, including Ukraine.
Both the United States and Germany reaffirm their dedication to this Dialogue and to combat antisemitism through addressing Holocaust denial and distortion, noting that the lessons of the Holocaust are vital for safeguarding democratic societies and security.
