The UCL Centre for Holocaust Education is delighted to learn that the United Kingdom Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre will be built next to the Palace of Westminster.   The Learning Centre will undoubtedly serve as a catalyst for deeper knowledge and understanding of this most traumatic history and the memorial will respectfully commemorate the lives of 6 million Jews murdered in the genocide.

Statement from Executive Director, Professor Stuart Foster:

The UCL Centre for Holocaust Education always has been a keen advocate for the establishment of the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre.  Indeed, we made a significant contribution to the Prime Minister’s Holocaust Commission in 2015 – where our research was influential in supporting the Commission’s recommendation to build the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in central London.

For many years now Centre colleagues have been centrally involved in supporting the UKHMF and I have enjoyed the privilege of serving on its Academic Advisory Board.  It was also an honour to be invited to speak in favour of the Memorial and Learning Centre at the Public Inquiry in November 2020.  At the Inquiry I made a detailed and robust statement in favour of the proposal and concluded by arguing:

‘We must build this new Memorial and Learning Centre.   We must honour our commitment to our survivors.  We must educate current and future generations.  And, in my humble opinion, we must do this now.’

I am, therefore, absolutely delighted to learn that this hugely significant development has been approved.

http://www.ukholocaustmemorial.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/prof_foster.pdf

*Image: Malcolm Reading Consultants/Emily Whitfield-Wicks