© Felix Grünschloss
Eighty years after the end of World War II, the Federal Republic of Germany continues to acknowledge its political and moral responsibility for the injustices committed under National Socialism.
In order to translate the responsibility assumed over decades into forward-looking forms of remembrance and education, the Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future (EVZ) has been implementing a pioneering funding program since 2021 with the support of the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF): the Education Agenda NS-Injustice.
An educational initiative is urgently needed. Without the generation of survivors and as the passage of time consigns events to an increasingly distant past, knowledge of Nazi history and the Holocaust is steadily declining. Simultaneously, historical continuities are feeding into ongoing discrimination against minorities, expressed in a disturbing rise in Antisemitism, Antigypsyism, and racism. Antisemitic, Antigypsyist, and racist acts of violence and attacks are occurring with increasing frequency in Germany and across Europe, as shown by recent data from the Federal Association of Departments for Research and Information on Antisemitism (RIAS) and the Melde- und Informationsstelle Antiziganismus (MIA, Reporting and Information Center on Antigypsyism). RIAS recorded nearly 24 Antisemitic incidents per day in 2024 – a sharp increase compared to the previous year.
Through historically informed, empathy-building, and action-oriented education about the lessons of the National Socialist past, the Education Agenda NS-Injustice empowers democratic values and counteracts Antisemitism, Antigypsyism, racism, and animosity toward LGBTIQ people. The funded projects shed light on the experiences of persecuted individuals and groups – with a particular focus on people who have been underrepresented or largely absent from current memory culture practices.
We convey the biographical experiences of persecuted people, including their testimonies, and help participants build their skills and understanding. Our aim is to deliberately address new target groups that previously showed little or no interest in National Socialist injustice and to work with them to achieve a living memory.
With exemplary support that has a nationwide impact, the Education Agenda NS-Injustice launches high-reach educational projects and participatory initiatives. In order to achieve this, the projects take an interdisciplinary and participation-focused approach using a wide range of different formats and methods: participatory theater and music projects, a study on the current state of memory culture, professional group-focused education against Antisemitism, location-based apps, and serious games all help create visibility and invite critical engagement – with a particular focus on younger generations.
Do you have questions or suggestions about the Education Agenda NS-Injustice? Please contact bildungsagenda@stiftung-evz.de.
