Lessons in the Holocaust for Liverpool's youngsters

Jan 4 2005 By Nick Coligan Daily Post Correspondent

THE Jewish holocaust and the existence of concentration camps such as Auschwitz is widely regarded as one of the most shameful episodes in human history.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the notorious camp in Poland and the discovery of the horrors behind its barbed wire fences.

Now fresh steps are being taken to ensure youngsters in Liverpool know the full story behind the Holocaust and recognise the nightmare of the Nazis' attempt to exterminate Europe's Jewish population.

Alongside the city's annual marking of Holocaust Memorial Day, all schools will be provided with the resources they need to teach pupils about the lessons learned from Hitler's campaign of terror.

Liverpool City Council will also use the memorial stone in St John's Gardens as a focal point for remembrance for all victims of the Nazis, including prisoners of war, disabled people, homosexuals, trade unionists and gipsies.

And a special book will be opened in the week leading up to the memorial day for people to sign and support the world's determination never to allow the Holocaust to be repeated.

Cllr Mike Storey, leader of Liverpool Council, said: "This is not only about looking back at the Holocaust, it is an opportunity to look at how humans treat each other.

"We have tended to use Holocaust Memorial Day to not only remember the victims of the Nazis, but also people throughout the world who have been tortured and persecuted."

Last year, tributes were paid to schoolboy Johnny Delaney, 15, who was kicked to death by two youths in a field in Ellesmere Port in what his relatives called a racist attack.

Johnny belonged to a large family of Irish travellers. Two boys were cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter over the incident in May 2003.

Rwandan teenager Jules Twaglira also told of his experiences during the genocide which took place in his country 10 years ago.

Cllr Storey added: "We have marked Holocaust Memorial Day for the past few years, and we are now planning to see if we can host the national event here in 2007 or 2008."

Holocaust Memorial Day is on Thursday, January 27 and the theme this year is Survivors And Liberation.