The opening of the International Youth Seminar on the Preservation of Historical Memory in Europe «Remembrance and learning from World War II» — one of the most famous projects of the National Council, implemented jointly with the Youth Department of the Council of Europe.
Official representatives of the Russian Federation and the Council of Europe attended the opening ceremony. Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the Council of Europe – Ivan Soltanovsky, Deputy Chairperson of the National Youth Council of Russia — Olga Popova, Director of the Directorate for Democratic Citizenship and Participation of the Council of Europe — Matthew Johnson, member of the Association of Supporters of the Struggle against Hate Speech of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe — Gabriella Heinric addressed the participants in a welcoming speech.
The seminar will continue its work until April 28. Participants of the program are expected to: study key concepts and practices related to the preservation of historical memory and the extraction of lessons from the World War II; exchange of experience with young people on the topic of preserving historical memory in the context of human rights education; a trip to Struthhof (the memorial complex and the former concentration camp of Natzweiler); workshops on topics related to the preservation of historical memory in the context of human rights education; panel discussion «Historical Memory and Human Rights: Challenges of Today».
40 people take part in the seminar: 20 people from the Russian Federation and 20 participants from the member states of the European Cultural Convention, except for the Russian Federation. As a result of the project, the participants will develop joint initiatives to preserve historical memory.
The training seminar is held with the purpose of increasing the relevance and quality of events with young people and for young people on the issues of preserving historical memory in the context of human rights education.
We will remind, that the International Youth Training Workshop on the Preservation of Historical Memory in Europe «Remembrance and learning from World War II» is the part of the Action Plan for 2016-2017 as part of the implementation of the Framework Program of Cooperation between the Council of Europe and the Russian Federation in the field of youth policy. The Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation and the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs supports the event. The seminar contributes to the achievement of the task of promoting intercultural dialogue, cultural diversity and peace.
