Holocaust Memorial Day: A Call for a Better Future

Holocaust Memorial Day is observed annually on January 27th, marking the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. On this day, we honor the millions of lives lost during the Holocaust and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur.

In the UK, Holocaust Memorial Day is coordinated by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. The Ishami Foundation collaborates closely with the Trust by participating in events, sharing knowledge and resources, and contributing to the partnership working group.

2025 Theme: For a Better Future

This year’s theme, For a Better Future, invites reflection and action to ensure such atrocities never happen again. The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust emphasizes steps we can take to build a better future:

• Speak out against Holocaust and genocide denial and distortion.  
• Challenge prejudice and identity-based hatred.  
• Encourage learning about the Holocaust and more recent genocides.

Learning for a Better Future

Understanding the Holocaust and other genocides helps us recognise warning signs and prevent future atrocities. While racism and hatred do not always lead to genocide, all genocides begin with insidious stages like propaganda, “othering,” and dehumanisation.  

Professor Gregory Stanton’s model of the 10 stages of genocide outlines how genocide develops through predictable—but preventable—phases. By learning from history, we can identify these warning signs and take action.

The Holocaust was the Nazis’ systematic attempt to annihilate Europe’s Jewish population, rooted in centuries of antisemitism. Persecution began immediately after the Nazis rose to power in 1933, with laws like the Nuremberg Laws stripping Jews of citizenship and enforcing segregation. Dehumanisation escalated to persecution and ultimately the murder of six million Jewish people.

Connecting For a Better Future and Kwibuka to Rwanda

The theme For a Better Future resonates deeply with Rwanda, where the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi claimed over one million lives in just 100 days. The genocide was the culmination of decades of division, dehumanisation, and propaganda. However, Rwanda’s journey since 1994 is a testament to the possibility of rebuilding and forging a better future.

Rwanda’s journey of remembrance, unity, and renewal is embodied in the concept of Kwibuka—the Kinyarwanda word for “remember.” At its core, Kwibuka encompasses three values:

1. Remembrance: Honouring the victims and supporting survivors by commemorating their lives and stories.  
2. Unity: Building solidarity and rejecting division to forge a shared national identity.  
3. Renewal: Transforming pain into resilience and creating a hopeful, inclusive future.

The lessons of Kwibuka mirror the aspirations of For a Better Future. By remembering the Holocaust and the Genocide against the Tutsi, we confront the horrors of the past and strengthen our commitment to never letting hatred and division take root again. Rwanda’s example demonstrates how remembrance can lead to unity and renewal, even in the aftermath of unspeakable atrocity.

Rwanda’s journey also highlights the importance of rejecting genocide denial and distortion, promoting justice, and fostering reconciliation. Just as Kwibuka inspires Rwandans to rebuild their nation, the Holocaust Memorial Day theme challenges us all to actively contribute to a world where humanity triumphs over hatred.

Rwanda’s Path to Recovery

Rwanda’s recovery has been marked by reconciliation, justice, and unity. Initiatives like Ndi Umunyarwanda promote national identity over ethnic division, while community-based approaches such as Gacaca courts and memorialisation have played vital roles in fostering healing.

The lessons of Rwanda underscore the importance of vigilance, education, and collective action to prevent genocide. Just as the Holocaust reminds us of the devastating consequences of unchecked hatred, Rwanda’s story shows that even in the aftermath of atrocity, a better future can be built through resilience, accountability, and hope.

This year’s theme challenges us to learn from Rwanda’s example: to stand against division, to reject genocide denial and distortion, and to actively work toward a world where humanity triumphs over hatred.

Remaining Vigilant in a Changing World

Today, increasing levels of denial, division, and misinformation demand vigilance. Rapid technological advancements, political instability, and global crises can leave us feeling powerless. However, these challenges also reveal humanity’s potential for resilience and solidarity.

We must remain steadfast in combating hatred and fostering unity. Whether by remembering, learning, or taking action, we can all contribute to For a Better Future. Let us stand together, challenge prejudice, and commit to building a world where such atrocities are never repeated.