International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust!

UN Secretary Ban Ki Moon.

27 Jan 2010, UN Information Centre (Dar es Salaam) : Today, the UN Information Centre(UNIC) organized a special learning session for primary and secondary schools in Dar es Salaam as part of observance to mark International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. The theme for the Day was The legacy of survival. This day is observed by the United Nations on 27 January each year, in accordance with mandate given by the General Assembly in its resolutions 60/7 adopted on 1 November 2005. The resolution condemns all manifestations of religious intolerance, incitement, harassment or violence against persons or communities based on ethnic origin or religious belief, whenever they occur. The commemoration was held at UNIC Library and was attended by 80 students from Academic International School, Makongo High School, Tusiime Secondary School, Loyola Secondary School, Olympio Primary School, Hazina International School, Oysterbay Primary School, St Mary’s International School and St Anne Marie Primary School. The learning session which included statement from the UN Secretary General, video show of the holocaust and survivors stories and discussions, aimed to help young people understand the persecution of the Jewish people during the Holocaust and what the consequences of hatred and prejudice are today. In his message to mark the Day, The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon said survivors carry a crucial message for all of us. A message about the triumph of the human spirit. A living testament that tyranny, though it may rise, will surely not prevail. Mr Ban’s message was presented by the UNIC’s Information Office, Ms Usia Nkhoma Ledama. He said Survivors also play a vital role in keeping the lessons of the Holocaust alive for future generations. “Holocaust survivors will not be with us forever – but the legacy of their survival must live on. We must preserve their stories – through memorials… through education… most of all through robust efforts to prevent genocide and other grave crimes,” The UN Secretary General added.