On January 27th, people around the world pay their respect to the victims of Holocaust and come together to say no to racism, anti-semitism and hate. CESI joins these voices to call for open-mindedness and tolerance among peoples.

Today, 76 years ago, towards the end of the Second World War, Soviet troops liberated the concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau, in Poland, the biggest Nazi death camp.

The United Nations Assembly adopted a resolution in 2005 to dedicate this day as commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, which took the lives of 6 million Jews – and 11 million further victims, such as homosexuals, disabled persons, political dissidents, Sinti and Roma, and other ethnic minorities.

In contemporary history, the Second War World and the Holocaust is a synonym for one of the most traumatic events humans have experienced around the world. Claiming the lives of approximately 80 million persons, the Second World War is the deadliest military conflict in human history, disrupting and destructing entire cities and countries around the world. The Holocaust was a central feature that remains connected to the Second World War.

Days such as this remain as important as ever to reflect on our actions as humankind. In a time where populist figures and far-right ideologies are gaining followers around the world, joining our voices together to say no to hate remains imperative.

The period of the Second World War and the Holocaust is not without its lessons: It has taught to appreciate and cherish differences among cultures and peoples, and most importantly it has taught the immense value of mutual respect, tolerance, democracy and peaceful cooperation. Values which should never be taken for granted, which need to be continuously nurtured and preserved.

CESI continues remembering this day, and as such, continues to defend the values of kindness, acceptance and tolerance in Europe and beyond. It is a priority an pleasure for CESI to work every day to assist, improve and strengthen the work of the institutions created after this conflict, to ensure that humanity will not repeat a dreadful mistake.