Holocaust Education Institute _erinnern.at_ will be part of the OeAD education agency from 2022

–

Bringing together two strong actors supports Holocaust education in Austria

Vienna (OTS) – As of 2022, the Austrian Holocaust Education Institute _erinnern.at_ will be integrated into the OeAD-GmbH. The integration process starts immediately. On behalf of the Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Research (BMBWF), the association _erinnern.at_ supports teaching about National Socialism and the Holocaust and learning against anti-Semitism with seminars and teaching materials. As a network organization, _erinnern.at_ is active in all Austrian federal states and is involved in national and international cooperation. The OeAD is Austria’s agency for education and internationalization.

Education Minister Heinz Faßmann says: “The culture of remembrance in Austria and especially in the education system has experienced a considerable intensification and professionalization in the last 20 years. With the establishment of its own Holocaust Education Institute _erinnern.at_, the BMBWF has ensured that Austria’s endeavors to ensure that the history of National Socialism and the Holocaust is adequately, contemporary and honestly communicated in schools and socio-political terms is accorded high international recognition. Securing and developing this form of work has found its way into the government program 2020–2024. I am pleased that this is now guaranteed with the transfer of _erinnern.at_ to the OeAD-GmbH. “

Martina Maschke and Manfred Wirtitsch, chairmen of the association _erinnern.at_, are convinced of the added value of integration: “It is extremely important that we firmly anchor Holocaust education in education so that future generations do not forget. With the integration of the association into the OeAD, its activities are sustainably secured. Even more: within the framework of the larger organization OeAD, interfaces to other educational fields can be used positively ”.

“The OeAD programs network people and institutions from education, science, research and culture. This is the interface between the tasks and expertise of OeAD and those of _erinnern.at_. Together we would like to advance the work for the national and international culture of remembrance and secure it for the next generations, ”emphasizes OeAD Managing Director Jakob Calice.

Werner Dreier, managing director of _erinnern.at_, emphasizes: “After a transition year, _erinnern.at_ will become a separate division of the OeAD from 2022. This brings a more than ten-year institutional development process to a close, in which various possibilities for long-term security and planning security for the work of _erinnern.at_ were discussed and examined in detail. “

For _erinnern.at_, the integration into the OeAD means a secure basis to continue the successful work. With the expertise of _erinnern.at_, the OeAD gains new access to the mediation of a culture of remembrance and will work for the sustainable development of this work. Together, the important topic of Holocaust education is brought up to a broad target group: “The combination of the expertise, topics and tasks of Holocaust education creates added value that benefits many people in Austria beyond the group of teachers” Managing directors Calice and Dreier convinced.

Barbara Weitgruber, Head of Research Section at the BMBWF, adds: “The Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Research supports the integration of _erinnern.at_ into the federal education agency OeAD. At the same time, it is important that the scientific advisory board of _erinnern.at_ ensures that an independent perspective remains strongly involved, ”said Weitgruber.

About _erinnern.at_

_erinnern.at_ was founded in 2000 and has been an association of the BMBWF since 2009 with its headquarters in Bregenz. In 2019, _erinnern.at_ reached more than 1700 teachers through further training and 7700 young people through contemporary witness interviews. _erinnern.at_ is involved in numerous national and international collaborations, including with the Israeli Holocaust Memorial Yad Vashem and the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).

The networks in the federal states will remain in place, as will the Bregenz location. The management of the association changes to the OeAD as division manager. The international scientific advisory board of _erinnern.at_ remains and will accompany the transition process.

About the OeAD

With its programs, the OeAD promotes and networks people and institutions from education, science, research and culture. As the agency of the Republic of Austria, the OeAD thus makes a contribution to inclusive, equal and high-quality education. The agency’s most important instruments are European and international exchange and cross-border mobility. As a national agency, the OeAD is responsible for the implementation of “Erasmus + Education” in Austria. Project work – especially with schools – is also very important.

Inquiries & contact:

OeAD (Austrian Exchange Service) GmbH
Mag. Ursula Hilmar
hurry@oead.at
01 534 08-270
www.oead.at

_erinnern.at_
Moritz Wein, MA
moritz.wein@erinnern.at
0650 581 35 39
www.erinnern.at

– .