November 10th, 2011

New project launched: German association "Bundesverband Information & Beratung für NS-Verfolgte e.V." prepares study regarding the preservation of European concentration camp memorial place

Worried about the future of the authentic memorial places representatives of the ten biggest international concentration camp committees adopted in 2009 in Berlin the resolution "Commemorate – Maintain authentic places – Take responsibility". The survivors made it clear that it is not only about the "physical" preservation of the concentration camp memorials. But also that remembrance, education and democratic culture should be shared subjects of the entire Europe. These suggestions were seized at the Holocaust Era Assets Conference in Prague shortly after and poured – amongst others – into the "Terezin Declaration" .

Taking this declaration of intent as a cause the "Bundesverband Information & Beratung für NS-Verfolgte e.V.", financially supported by the German-Czech Fund For The Future and the European Shoah Legacy Institute (ESLI), now starts with the first steps necessary for a new arrangement of responsibilities: In the forthcoming nine month a survey concerning the needs of NS-memorials in the European Union will establish a basis on which a future concept of financial support can be discussed. The risk of close-downs of memorial places as a consequence of insufficient financing as seen this summer in Sobibor, should be made impossible in the future.

This survey will not only be looking at construction defects and running costs but also at terms and conditions of the pedagogical work. Thereby it will be possible to find out – beside size and historical meaning of the crime scene – which places have established themselves as important educational institutions and are therefore worthy to gain additional financial support. The project team in Cologne – Dr. Jost Rebentisch as head, Dr. Ruth Oelze as assistent – will closely cooperate with ESLI, the International Auschwitz-Committee and the "Alliance of the liberated political prisoners and their families". In summer 2012 the outcome will be published.

Contact: Dr. Ruth Oelze
BUNDESVERBAND INFORMATION & BERATUNG FÜR NS-VERFOLGTE e.V.
Project "Preservation of European Concentration Camp Memorials"
Holweider Straße 13-15
D - 51065 Köln
Tel. +49-(0)221-17 92 94-12
Fax.+49-(0)221-17 92 94-29
mail to: oelze@nsberatung.de
www.nsberatung.de

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