Honouring the victims on International Holocaust Remembrance Day

This message is sent on behalf of Dr. Elaine Popp, President, Durham College.

Durham College (DC) joins people around the world today in observing International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This solemn occasion marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp, which has come to symbolize the unimaginable suffering endured during the Holocaust.

We honour the memory of six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, along with millions of others who were persecuted by the Nazis due to their race, ethnicity, religion, political beliefs or identities. We also pay tribute to the survivors, whose courage, resilience and determination to share their stories continue to remind us of the importance of standing up against hatred and intolerance whenever they arise.

Although 80 years have passed since the horrors of the Holocaust, antisemitism persists in our world, manifesting in acts of hate and violence that have no place in Canadian society—or any society. As we remember the past, we must continue to share the truth of the Holocaust, educating ourselves and each other to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.

Honouring survivors goes beyond reflecting on their experiences; it requires active engagement. This includes listening to their experiences firsthand through oral history, reading written testimony and participating in educational programs that preserve their voices and legacies. The Durham College Library has curated a list of resources you can explore. Honouring survivors also means taking a stand against antisemitism and all forms of hate in our daily lives, fostering dialogue and promoting understanding.

I encourage each of you to stand together with the DC community against antisemitism and to help create a safe and inclusive society for all, today and every day.

We know that days like this can be difficult for members of our DC community. If you need help, please do not hesitate to access our resources and supports.