Photo credit: Tim Turner

Ben Balla-Muir, Deputy Member of UK Youth Parliament for Horsham and Mid Sussex, has produced a blog as part of "Speak Up Speak Out", remembering Holocaust Memorial Day last week. (Photograph by Tim Turner)

Marking the liberation date of Auschwitz-Berkenau, Ben wrote the blog to reflect and share his experiences of visiting the infamous factory of death as part of the Holocaust Educational Trust's 'Lessons from Auschwitz' programme; not simply to remember what happened but for lessons to be learnt from the atrocities of the past:

"From just seeing the conditions of Auschwitz, where human beings were treated like animals in the wooden barracks of Berkenau, I plead that it be recognised how dangerous prejudice is. Ignorance is no longer an excuse and it is no longer acceptable to blame innocent minorities. I feel exceptionally lucky that I am alive now, so will not let the efforts of my grandparents' fight against such hate be in vain; we must learn from the past and pledge together to combat prejudice as a society."

This also follows on from the inspirational talk given by Iby Knill at UKYP's Annual Sitting 2011. In 1942 Iby was imprisoned as an illegal immigrant and eventually taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau and then as slave labour to an armament factory in Lippstadt. Liberated by American forces, she came to England in 1947. Having kept silent about her past for decades, over the past ten years Iby has told her story and spoken out about the Holocaust and lessons that must be learnt.

Read Ben's moving and thought-provoking blog now:

http://www.yourspacewestsussex.co.uk/your_voice/blogging/holocaust_memorial_day.aspx

 

                           Holocaust Memorial - A day to remember

Eva Clarke

Image of Eve Clarke with BYC volunteer.

Last week, British Youth Council volunteers spent the day at a Holocaust Memorial Day event, working with the children and young people who came to the event.

"I wondered how the day was going to be; knowing that I would be looking after young people made me very sceptical as to how they behaved and if I would encounter any problems." (Grace Fleary)

"We did simple things such as keeping count of the kids, making sure the roads were safe to cross, making sure they wouldn't wonder off and also answering any questions that they might have had. " (Femi Agbetuyi)

"I thought that the Holocaust event went very well and there were a lot of people there. The duty which they assigned me to was directing the school kids to where they could write their comments about the event and how it went. I liked how a special guest came in and told a story about her life during World War II." (Yonas Mussie)

"I had an amazing time, the youths were so insightful and knowledgeable and the men and woman who told their stories were so inspirational. Avant Garde's Youth Dance Company showed a wonderful use of movement to highlight their theme of, 'speak up speak out.' I didn't study the Holocaust at school and felt that I learnt a great deal from coming to the event and would recommend this occasion to anyone." (Grace Fleary)

"We had a tour of the facility with various stands that were trying to promote equality by handing out free goodies such as stickers, badges and other items." (Femi Agbetuyi)

"There were people from organisations that combat prejudice and discrimination today, like 'Give Racism the Red Card', as well as stalls on historical events. I was personally most moved by pictures drawn by Dafuri child refugees depicting their experiences, showing the very real, ongoing suffering from hatred and violence of this kind." (Jane Holder)

During the day, we collected signatures for the Holocaust Memorial Day's Speak up, speak out pledge. They're still collecting signatures now on-line at http://www.speakupnow.org.uk/ , agreeing to remember the victims of genocide and never stay silent in the face of prejudice and discrimination.

Written by Grace Fleary, Femi Agbetuyi, Yonas Mussie and Jane Holder