51³Ô¹Ï

Statements

Remarks by H.E. Mr. Ant¨®nio Guterres, 51³Ô¹Ï Secretary-General

Remarks by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the 51³Ô¹Ï General Assembly

 Permanent Representative of the United States to the 51³Ô¹Ï

, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

, Director-General of UNESCO

Webcast

Media Coverage

 by Tracey Petersen

Holocaust Museums Commemorate Victims and Provide Perspective for the Future by Emile Schrijver

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2022 Holocaust Remembrance Activities around the World

Africa | Americas | Asia and Pacific | Arab States | Europe and the CIS

In 2022, despite the difficult circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, the 51³Ô¹Ï Information Centres (UNICs) and Resident Coordinator's Offices (RCOs) organized events and activities in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. In several instances, UNICS and RCOs collaborated with UNESCO field officers to produce outreach activities. Below are reports, including photos and links, received from 30 UNICs. 

Africa

UNIC Accra, Ghana

On 27 January 2022, UNIC Accra joined the Embassies of Israel and Germany in Accra and members of the diplomatic corps in an commemorative event to remember and honour the victims of the Holocaust. The event was attended by 50 participants. Speakers included Mr. Charles Abani, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Ghana; H. E. Ms. Shlomit Sufa, Ambassador of Israel to Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone; H. E. Mr. Daniel Krul, Ambassador of Germany to Ghana; Dr. Roy Horovitz, Bar-Ilan University, Israel; and Professor Esi Sutherland-Addy, Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana.

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UNIC Antananarivo, Madagascar

In early February 2022, UNIC Antananarivo organized awareness raising and human rights advocacy activities targeting youth, students and teachers. Young people were encouraged to become more involved in fighting against discrimination and hate speech and reducing inequalities. The UNIC also scheduled a master class and a traveling exhibition.

UNIC Bujumbura, Burundi

On 4 February 2022, UNIC Bujumbura and Lyc¨¦e Municipal de Musaga, one of Bujumbura's secondary schools, co-organized an educational outreach activity to commemorate the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. 150 students from the Lyc¨¦e participated in the activity. The programme included welcoming remarks by the Director of the Lyc¨¦e; a briefing on the Holocaust and the 51³Ô¹Ï Outreach Programme by Mr. Desire Ndagijimana, National Information Officer of UNIC Bujumbura; and screening of the film The Path to Nazi Genocide with French subtitles. UNIC Bujumbura also displayed the exhibition "A Brief History of Holocaust", followed by a discussions and Q&A session about the Holocaust and the danger of racism and xenophobia.

UNIC Dakar, Senegal

On 27 January 2022, UNIC Dakar observed the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust with an online event. Speakers include Mr. Giancarlo Summa, Director of UNIC Dakar; H. E. Mr. S?nke Siemon, Ambassador of Germany to Senegal; H. E. Mr. Ben Bourgel, Ambassador of Israel to Senegal; and Ms. Liliane Barr-Nea, Holocaust survivor. The Secretary-General's video message with French subtitles was shared through social media.

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UNIC Lagos, Nigeria

In observance of the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, UNIC Lagos held two educational briefings: on 26 January 2022 with students from 50 schools in Lagos State Education District 1 Agege; and on 27 January with students from 32 schools in Lagos State Education District VI, Oshodi. The briefings provided insight into the events leading to the Holocaust and promoted the values of human rights, tolerance and compassion. Both briefings included a presentation titled Facts About the Holocaust, the screening of the film "The Path to Nazi Genocide" and the exhibit "Some Were Neighbours: Choice, Human Behaviour, and the Holocaust".

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UNIC Lusaka, Zambia

On 27 January 2022, UNIC Lusaka organized a virtual outreach event to honour the memory of the victums of the Holocaust. The commemoration included a moment of silence, and remarks by Dr. Coumba Mar Gadio, 51³Ô¹Ï Resident Coordinator in Zambia; H. E. Mr. Stanley Kakubo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, represented by Mr. Chembo Mbula, the Ministry¡¯s Permanent Secretary for Administration; and Rabbi Shalomi Abutbul, Representative from the Zambia Council of Jewry. 

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The programme also featured the screening of a short documentary "Some Were Neighbours: Choice, Human Behaviour, and the Holocaust" and a discussion moderated by UNESCO. Participants included journalists, NGOs, teachers, members of 51³Ô¹Ï school-based clubs from Mujala Secondary School and Ibenga Girls Secondary School and Youth of 51³Ô¹Ï clubs from the University of Zambia in Lusaka and Mulungushi University in Kabwe.

UNIC Nairobi,Kenya

On 27 January 2022, UNIC Nairobi hosted a virtual event on the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. Participants included Mr. Nasser Nasser Ega-Musa, Director of UNIC Nairobi; Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Director General of the 51³Ô¹Ï Office in Nairobi; H. E. Mr. Thomas Wimmer, Deputy Ambassador of Germany to Kenya; H. E. Ms. Dvora Dorsman Yarkoni, Deputy Ambassador of Israel to Kenya; and Ms. Sylvane Chongwon, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kenya. A film titled "The Final Solution" was screened during the event. .

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UNIC Pretoria, South Africa

On 27 January, UNIC Pretoria, in partnership with Education Africa and the Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre, hosted an educational programme about the work of the 51³Ô¹Ï, the Sustainable Development Goals, human rights and the Holocaust. Some 70 students and their teachers from the Masibabane School in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, attended the programme, which included the Secretary-General's video message and testimony from a Holocaust survivior. The importance of combatting discrimination and prejudice and genocide prevention were highlighted.

In partnership with the Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre, UNIC Pretoria also participated in a formal event in commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust on 27 January. The event was opened by Mr. Masimba Tafirenyika, Director of UNIC Pretoria. Among the audience were the Ambassadors of Israel and Germany to South Africa, and special guest Dr. Astrid Ley, Deputy Head of Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum, head scientist and exhibition curator at Sachsenhausen. The Secretary-General's video message and testimonies of survivors were screened.

 Americas

UNIC Asunci¨®n, Paraguay

UNIC Asunci¨®n hosted a special hybrid event in collaboration with the Embassy of Germany, the Consulate of Israel and the Walter Kochman Jewish Museum. The event focused on Holocaust denial, its reasons and consequences. Remarks were delivered by Mr. Mario Samaja, 51³Ô¹Ï Resident Coordinator in Paraguay; Ms. Ruth Kohan, Director of the Walter Kochman Jewish Museum in Asunci¨®n; H. E. Mr. Holger Scherf, Ambassador of Germany to Paraguay; Dr. Jorge Brizuela, Paraguay's Director General of Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Professor David Vel¨¢zquez Seiferheld; Ms. Flora Tauber, daughter of a Holocaust survivor; and Mr. Andr¨¦s Colm¨¢n Guti¨¦rrez, journalist and author; and Mr. Alejandro Rub¨ªn, the Honorary Consul of Israel. 

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UNIC Bogota, Colombia

On 27 January, UNIC Bogota organized a commemorative event to honour the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. The event was held in the Gr. Saulo Gil Ramirez Sendoya Auditorium of the Miguel Antonio Lleras Pizarro Police Graduate School. The video messages of 51³Ô¹Ï Secretary-General Ant¨®nio Guterres and Ms. Mireia Villar Forner, the 51³Ô¹Ï Resident Coordinator in Colombia were screened. The Ambassadors of Israel and Germany to Colombia, members of the Jewish community including Mr. Jean Claude Bessudo, President of the Confederation of Jewish Communities of Colombia and the President of Aviatur, the biggest tourism company in Colombia, delivered remarks. Some 100 participants attended the event in person and 1,000 attended virtually. On 27 January, the Colpatria Tower in Bogot¨¢ was illuminated for four hours with the phrase "We Remember" and the image of a candle in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.

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UNIC Buenos Aires, Argentina

On the 27 January, AMIA and 51³Ô¹Ï Argentina screened "Sara and Paula", and urged new generations to commit to commemorating the Holocaust. .

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UNIC Mexico City, Mexico

To mark the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, UNIC Mexico City organized a ceremony on 1 March in the Centenario de la Revoluci¨®n Public Library in the Municipality of Metepec, State of Mexico. Ms. Carmen Morales, Director of UNIC Mexico a.i., and the Human Rights Defender of Metepec, Mexican State delivered remarks. At the end of the ceremony the audience was asked to sign paper butterflies with messages of peace. These messages were added to the exhibit, "The Butterfly Project", at the Centenario de la Revoluci¨®n Public Library. The Library will display the exhibits "The Butterfly Project" and "Some Were Neighbours: Choice, Human Behaviour, and the Holocaust" to the public until the middle of the year.

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The Centenario de la Revoluci¨®n Public Library held Cineclub sessions screening "Who Will Write Our Story" on 24 February and "The Accountant of Auschwitz" on 3 March. UNIC Mexico City organized a roundtable discussion on human rights was organized as part of a cineclub session. These activities were open to the public.

UNIC Panama City, Panama

On 25 January, the documentary The Judge of the Just was screened for members of the diplomatic corps and the media, with the participation of H. E. Ms. Ana Luisa Castro, Vice Minister of Multilateral Affairs of Panama; H. E. Mr. Itai Bardov, Ambassador of Israel to Panama; H. E. Mr. Fabrizio Nicolett¨ª, Ambassador of Italy to Panama; and Ms. Janibeth Miranda, Head of UNIC Panama City. On 27 January, the Embassy of Israel, the Friends of Yad Vashem and the Museum of Freedom organized a solemn ceremony and candle lighting to remember the victims of the Holocaust. The ceremony was attended by H. E. Mr. Itai Bardov, Ambassador of Israel, representatives of Yad Vashem, and Ms. Janibeth Miranda representing the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Panama. Watch the event On 2 February, a solemn ceremony took place in the National Assembly to remember the victims of the Holocaust. The event included speeches by H. E. Mr. Itai Bardov, Ambassador of Israel to Panama and Mr. Cristian Munduate, 51³Ô¹Ï Resident Coordinator in Panama. A candle lighting ceremony followed.

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UNIC Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 

On 30 January, the Jewish Federation in Rio de Janeiro (FIERJ) organized an event with 90 participants to mark the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. UNIC Rio de Janeiro added Portuguese subtitles to the video message of 51³Ô¹Ï Secretary-General Ant¨®nio Guterres that was screened at the opening of the ceremony. The event included the participation of H. E. Mr. Daniel Zonshine, Ambassador of Israel to Brazil, Holocaust survivors Mr. Fred Sabotka and Ms. Edith Yanitchkis; FIERJ President Mr. Alberto Klein and Mr. Marcelo Calero, the Secretary of Education of Rio de Janeiro. 

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Asia and Pacific

UNIC Canberra, Australia

UNIC Canberra interviewed Dr. Frances Newell, whose mother and grandfather were part of a network that helped Jews, political dissidents and other persecuted groups escape the horrors of the Nazi regime. The interview was developed into a podcast titled "The Suitcase of Courage". The interview also focused on hate speech. The piece was used by .

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UNIC Dhaka, Bangladesh  

UNIC Dhaka translated 51³Ô¹Ï Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's message on the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust into Bangla and shared the message with media outlets, the 51³Ô¹Ï Communications Group and the Resident Coordinator's Office. Bangla Daily - Alokito Bangladesh published the Bangla translation of the message in full text, enabling it to reach wider local audiences.

UNIC Kathmandu, Nepal

As a prelude to the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, 51³Ô¹Ï in Nepal partnered with the Embassy of Germany, the Embassy of Israel, the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal and the youth-led nongovernmental  organization Yuwalaya to organize a workshop for young people on countering hate speech and promoting human rights. The programme was moderated by Mr. Araj Gautam, Program Coordinator of Yuwalaya, with remarks and presentations by Mr. Santosh Maharjan, President of Yuwalaya; H. E. Dr. Thomas Prinz, Ambassador of Germany to Nepal; H.E. Mr. Hanan Goder Goldberger, Ambassador of Israel to Nepal; and Ms. Simrika Sharma, 51³Ô¹Ï in Nepal.

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On 27 January, UNIC Khatmandu organized an online Holocaust Memorial Ceremony. Mr. Richard Howard, 51³Ô¹Ï Resident Coordinator a.i. in Nepal; H.E. Mr. Hanan Goder, Ambassador of Israel to Nepal; H.E Dr. Thomas Prinz, German Ambassador to Nepal and H.E Ms. Nona Deprez, Ambassador of the European Union to Nepal delivered remarks. The highlights of the ceremony included a Holocaust-themed musical performance by the Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory. Mr. Ephraim Eisenmann, a 74 year old Holocaust survivor delivered the keynote speech. Real-time captioning, multilingual translation and sign language interpretation for nonverbal communication were enabled to ensure the accessibility of the virtual event. UNV youth network and several colleges including the National Open College, St. Xavier College, Southwestern State College and Santwona Multiple College, were mobilized to participate in the event.

UNIC New Delhi, India

On 31 January, UNIC New Delhi, UNESCO New Delhi Office, Alliance Fran?aise de Delhi and the Embassy of Israel in India partnered with diplomatic missions in India to convene a Holocaust Memorial Ceremony. The event was streamed via .

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UNIC Tokyo, Japan

UNIC Tokyo raised awareness of the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust through social media, including the Secretary-General's message on the International Day with subtitles in Japanese.

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UNIC Yangon, Myanmar

UNIC Yangon partnered with the Mesmuah Yeshua Synagogue in Yangon to host a solemn event commemorating the victims of the Holocaust. The event was broadcast live as COVID-19 restrictions limited the number of attendees. The Secretary-General's message was read out by the Mr. Ramanathan Balakrishnan, the 51³Ô¹Ï Resident Coordinator a.i. in Myanmar. Mr. Ronen Gilor, the Former Ambassador of Israel to Myanmar, together with the Officer-in-Charge of the Embassy of Israel; the leader of the Jewish Community in Yangon, and Ambassadors of the United States and France to Myanmar delivered remarks. Tracey Petersen, Manager of the Holocaust and the 51³Ô¹Ï Outreach Programme, gave a lecture on the United Nations and Holocaust Education. Six memorial candles provided by Yad Vashem were lit and a minute of silence followed. UNIC Yangon also exhibited the winning posters of ¡°Keeping the Memory Alive¡±, the International Design Student Poster Competition, jointly organized by Yad Vashem and the Holocaust and the 51³Ô¹Ï Outreach Programme.

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Arab States

UNIC Manama, Bahrain

In observance of the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, Mr. Mohamed Zarkani, acting United Nations Resident Coordinator a.i. in Bahrain, together with representatives of the Embassy of Germany and the Embassy of Israel participated in the #WeRemember social media campaign. 

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UNIC Rabat, Morocco

On 27 January, UNIC Rabat and the Mimouna Association partnered to commemorate the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. The commemoration took place virtually through Zoom and included the participation of Mr. Fethi Debbabi, Director of UNIC Rabat; Mr. Andr¨¦ Azoulay, Senior Advisor of H.E. Mohammed VI, King of Morocco; the Charg¨¦s d¡¯Affaires of the Embassies of the United States and Israel; Dr. Jamaa Baida, Director of the Moroccan Archives; eminent academia and historians, students, members of NGOs and the Moroccan Jewish community. The commemorative event received impressive media interest and coverage in French, Arabic and English.

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Europe and the CIS

UNIC Ankara, Turkey

UNIC Ankara disseminated the United Nations Secretary-General's message on the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, through social media with subtitles in Turkish.

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UNO Baku, Azerbaijan

To mark the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust on 27 January 2022, UNO Baku partnered with the Embassies of Israel and the Netherlands, as well as the Centre for the Analysis of International Relations (a local think tank) and ADA University to organize a conference on combating antisemitism, hate speech, xenophobia and racism. The event brought together over 90 government officials, diplomats, researchers and representatives of civil society and the media. Participants listened to Holocaust survivor Mr. Lev Zakharovich Shvartz and engaged in a panel discussion on the danger of antisemitism, xenophobia and racism, and the possible actions to countering these.

From 24 to 30 January 2022, UNO Baku and its partners launched a social media campaign that featured seven influencers reading excerpts from the Diary of Anne Frank. Fourteen videos were produced with the introduction and subtitles in Azerbaijani and English.

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UNRIC Brussels, Belgium

UNRIC Brussels marked the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust by sharing across social media platforms an article written by the UNRIC on Mr. Simon Gronowski, a Belgian Holocaust survivor. UNRIC Brussels also shared with journalists the Secretary-General's message. The message was also published in the Brussels Times. The UNRIC Desk Office in Italy translated into Italian the Secretary-General's message and widely disseminated to the Desk's recipients. The message was also posted on the website and social media and shared with key national media partners. RAI, Italy's stateowned broadcasting station, broadcast the video message several times during the day with Italian subtitles.

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UNIS Geneva

On 26 January, UNIS Geneva organized a virtual screening of the documentary series "Les Derniers" (The Last Ones), with the support of the Permanent Missions of Israel and France and the Centre d¡¯accueil de la Gen¨¨ve internationale. A panel discussion on the challenge of safeguarding the memory of Holocaust survivors was held with Ms. Sophie Nahum, Film Director and Mr. Yoni Berrous, Yad Vashem. Mr. Rh¨¦al LeBlanc, Chief, Press and External Relations of UNIS Geneva moderated the discussion. 260 participants attended the discussion virtually. The event also had 2,100 views on the Facebook Live hosted by the Permanent Mission of Israel. UNIS Geneva recorded a L¡¯invit¨¦e de la semaine podcast episode with Ms. Sophie Nahum on the document series. .

On 27 January, around 120 guests attended the official ceremony for the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. The ceremony was held at the Palais des Nations. Close to 400 followed the live webcast and an additional 450 watched the recording of the ceremony on demand afterwards. The hybrid ceremony was organized with the support of the permanent mission of Israel to the 51³Ô¹Ï in Geneva and the Delegation of the European Union to the 51³Ô¹Ï in Geneva.

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Holocaust survivor Emma Adjadj (far left) joins DG Valovaya, Ambassadors Shahar and Knudsen and two students
from a local Jewish school to light candles in memory of the six million victims of the Holocaust. Photo credit: UNIS Geneva

Speakers at the ceremony included Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of United Nations Geneva; H. E. Ms. Meirav Eilon Shahar, Permanent Representative of Israel to the 51³Ô¹Ï and International Organizations in Geneva; H. E. Ms. Lotte Knudsen, Head of Delegation of the European Union; and Holocaust survivor Ms. Emma Adjadj. Ms. Alessandra Vellucci, Director of UNIS Geneva served as the host of the ceremony. The baroque ensemble Ka?ros, featuring two sonatas by J. S. Bach concluded the ceremony.

UNO Kiyv, Ukraine

Ms. Osnat Lubrani, 51³Ô¹Ï Resident Coordinator in Ukraine, joined the #WeRemember initiative, with a call for the audience to also take part in the initiative in honour of the victims of the Holocaust.

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UN Minsk, Belarus

On 27 January, the 51³Ô¹Ï in Belarus took part in the commemorative events dedicated to the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. Ms. Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecki, 51³Ô¹Ï Resident Coordinator in Belarus participated in the ceremonial signing of a memorial ketubah in the Beit Simcha Centre in the presence of the Plenipotentiary for religions and nationalities, representatives of the embassies of Austria, Germany, Israel, Poland, Romania, Sweden, United Kingdom and other countries and the Orthodox, Catholic, and Muslim communities of Belarus. Together with the representatives of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry, the diplomatic corps and religious communities, Ms. Alexandra Solovieva, the UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus, took part in the memorial ceremony in the Yama Memorial Complex.

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UNIC Moscow, Russian Federation

UNIC Moscow published a brochure titled "The Righteous among the Nations from the Territory of the Former Soviet Union". Selected Stories in observance of the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. The stories were based on materials from the archives of Yad Vashem. UNIC Moscow also submitted "The Last Flight of Petr Ginz" for screening at the Tsiolkovsky International Space Film Festival, to take place on 12-16 April with the support of Israeli Embassy in Moscow.

UNIC Prague, Czech Republic

UNIC Prague organized a series of educational programmes on the Holocaust for primary and secondary school students, which included an introduction of the topic, a screening of the film "The Road to the Nazi Genocide" and a subsequent discussion.

UNIS Vienna, Austria

UNIS Vienna organised commemorative and educational activities in Austria, Hungary and Slovakia to mark the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. On 27 January, UNIS Vienna co-organized a virtual commemorative ceremony on 27 January with the Permanent Mission of Israel to the 51³Ô¹Ï in Vienna. The online event featured the lighting of a memorial candle, a prayer and special messages from the 51³Ô¹Ï Secretary-General; H. E. Mr. Mordechai Rodgold, Permanent Representative of Israel to the 51³Ô¹Ï in Vienna; and H. E. Mr. Yair Lapid, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel. .

The exhibition After the "End of the World: Displaced Persons and Displaced Persons Camps" was displayed at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) from 26 January to 3 February. The exhibition was visited by H.E. Mr. Alexander Van der Bellen, President of Austria.

On 24 January, Cin¨¦-ONU Vienna and the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations in Vienna, in cooperation with Cin¨¦-ONU Brussels, the French Embassy in Austria and the Center for Israel Studies, Vienna held an online screening of the film Box for Life. Following the screening, Mr. Uri Borreda, Film Director; Ms. Iris Lifschitz Klieger, journalist and daughter of Holocaust survivor, Mr. Noah Klieger; and Mr. Shlomo Balsam, Instructor at Yad Vashem joined a discussion moderated by Mr. Martin Nesirky, Director of UNIS Vienna.

On 27 January, in Hungary, UNIS Vienna and the International Diplomatic Student Association (IDSA) jointly held a virtual Cin¨¦-ONU Budapest film screening of "The Last Survivors" followed by a panel discussion with experts from the University of Jewish Studies and the Holocaust Memorial Center in Budapest. On 27 January, in Slovakia, UNIS Vienna supported events at the Levice Business School, including a workshop for students, and the display of the exhibition Seeing Auschwitz.