Education on genocide

The Jewish experience of the Holocaust compels us to address the broader issues of genocide.

Pears Foundation backs campaigns against genocide and crimes against humanity.

Our research into Holocaust Education has shown that 84% of teachers have received no formal training in the subject, despite its inclusion in the National Curriculum. To address this gap we pioneered a national teacher training programme with the Institute of Education.

Our approach to Holocaust education is founded on research and evaluation. In 2006 we commissioned a report on the challenges for Holocaust education in the UK, followed by a symposium for educators and Holocaust survivors. This identified teacher training as the urgent priority.

Following this, we agreed a £1.5 million, three-year partnership with the Department for Education to establish a national training programme based at the Institute of Education, the Centre for Holocaust Education.

The Centre’s work began with a landmark research project examining teachers’ attitudes and perceptions of the Holocaust. The findings provided the basis for the teacher training course, which is transforming the way the Holocaust is taught in English schools.

In 2011, following a successful evaluation of the pilot phase, both Pears Foundation and the Department for Education committed on-going funding for the programme.

The IOE is working with other leading providers of Holocaust Education to strengthen collaboration and build partnerships.

Campaigns against Genocide

Pears Foundation worked to raise awareness of the genocide in Darfur by publishing Darfur: A Jewish Response and distributing 10,000 copies to schools, synagogues, youth and community groups, politicians and journalists. We held a series of events and workshops and encouraged Jewish participation in mass rallies alongside refugees from Darfur.

The Foundation supports Aegis Trust, which campaigns to prevent crimes against humanity, and Crisis Action, which co-ordinates international NGOs to avert conflicts and ensure governments fulfil their obligation to protect civilians.