Moral Responsibility: Witnesses for the Future

The Austrian Holocaust Memorial Service (Gedenkdienst) is an alternative to Austria's compulsory national military service. Its participants serve at major Holocaust institutions. In 1991, the required legislation was enacted by the Austrian Government and Andreas Maislinger, a political scientist from Innsbruck, began organizing what became known as the Gedenkdienst program - an independent, though largely government-funded foundation. The intent of the Gedenkdienst program is to recognize Austria's collective responsibility for the Holocaust and the responsibility of each and every one of us to fight for a "never again." The Austrian Gedenkdienst program is a unique international network that provides assistance to Holocaust-related archives and museums. Since 1992 there have been about 150 Gedenkdienst interns working worldwide to study and preserve Holocaust history in lieu of military service.

The Kleinmann Family Foundation is making available the PowerPoint educational programme, Moral Responsibility: Witnesses for the Future developed in conjunction with, Gedenkdienst interns (Remembrance Service) Tobial Deml and Christian Schauer. To date, the Gedenkdieners have addressed several colleges and high school classes, detailing their motivation for choosing Gedenkdienst over military service. The response to their presentation has been overwhelmingly positive and several speaking engagements have been scheduled from schools across Quebec and Ontario.

PROJECT GOALS

The project is concerned with the need to oppose the worldwide threat engendered by ignorance, indifference, discrimination, racism, and moral cowardice.

To provide an overview of the Shoah (Holocaust), as well as the Armenian and Rwandan genocides, and the current mass killings in Darfur.
The theme, “Abuse of Power” is addressed with specific reference to Austria’s role in the Holocaust and the subsequent view of Austrians as the first victim of Nazism.
The role of the Internet in disseminating information is contrasted with the media during the time of the Shoah. In addition to the immediacy of the information on the Internet, reference is made to its destructive potential for fomenting and proliferating hatred in this digital age. The need to think critically underscores the dialogue.
To address the difference between fact and fiction in order to comprehend propaganda.

DISCUSSION TOPICS

The role of media in shaping and creating images of national identity.
The influence of media in creating and prioritizing social issues.
The effects of immigration policies on refugees and would be immigrants.
Minority and ethnic rights.
The moral responsibility of individuals and the collective responsibility of governments.
To examine the standards which societies apply when addressing how much “tolerance” is acceptable? For example, do Western societies allow the female genital mutilation of young women? Is it acceptable for a Sikh student to wear the ceremonial dagger (kirpan) in school?
To address the distinction between advertising and propaganda.

Clearly, not every goal and discussion topic can be realized in one presentation. It is critical that teachers convey prior to the presentation what is most significant for their class.

TARGET AGE GROUP

Fourteen to nineteen years old.

TIME

The presentation itself is forty-five minutes long. In order to encourage discussion during the presentation an hour-long session is optimal.

EQUIPMENT

LCD projector and screen

COST

There is no cost for the presentation however, a donation to the Kleinmann Family Foundation (Canadian non profit organization, registration number: 890404163RR001) is greatly appreciated to offset travel costs from schools and organizations outside of Montreal.