IHRA | Multicultural Meanderings

Thirty one countries adopt working definition of antisemitism | The Jewish Chronicle

2016/06/02 Leave a comment

Interesting that IHRA adopted the broader definition, discussed during my time as Canadian head of delegation (2010) rather than the narrower revised definition of the European Fundamental Rights Agency (see EU Parliament’s Israel-relations czar defends removed anti-Semitism definition | The Times of Israel). The difference between the two is that the broader definition includes certain aspects of criticism of Israel in the definition:

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) has adopted a working definition of antisemitism.

The IHRA, which is made up of 31 member countries, and has a unique mandate to focus on education, research and remembrance of the Holocaust, agreed on the non-legally binding definition last month. The definition states: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.

Sir Eric Pickles, UK Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues and Head of the UK delegation to the IHRA said:

“I am delighted that IHRA has adopted, by consensus, this working definition of antisemitism, and I particularly congratulate our chairman Mihnea Constantinescu from Romania for his leadership on this issue. With this definition agreed by 31 countries, we can step up our efforts in the fight against antisemitism internationally.”

IHRA Chair, Ambassador Mihnea Constantinescu said: “By adopting this working definition, the IHRA is setting an example of responsible conduct for other international fora and hopes to inspire them also to take action on a legally binding working definition.”

Source: Thirty one countries adopt working definition of antisemitism | The Jewish Chronicle

Filed under Antisemitism, Multiculturalism Tagged with Fundamental Rights Agency, IHRA, International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance

Azrieli and Herscovitch: Take the lead in Holocaust education, Canada

2016/05/20 Leave a comment

Commentary by Alice Herscovitch and Naomi Azrielli on the need for Canada to take a more active role on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and the need to restore funding for the NGO experts. Agree – the value of IHRA discussions was more at the expert level and discussions than the governmental level during my time as head of delegation:

IHRA’s track record is excellent and includes the implementation of Holocaust education guidelines and a strategic, co-ordinated approach to teaching the Holocaust worldwide. IHRA also provides a critical opportunity for its members to reflect on universal issues – such as teaching without survivors.
The height of Canada’s involvement came during the 2013-2014 session, when we chaired IHRA. Following this, however, Canada’s commitment waned. Canada has not set a national agenda in two years, the delegation has not been given direction and it has lacked consistency and continuity in terms of participation and representation. The key developers of Holocaust education and remembrance initiatives in Canada are no longer the cornerstones of the delegation. This is a reflection of a government decision in 2014 to cease supporting delegate travel. The experts from voluntary organizations who contributed so much time and expertise sharing Canada’s innovative contributions internationally simply don’t have the financial means to assume additional responsibility for the country’s representation.

This month, a new head of delegation to IHRA was appointed, Ambassador Artur Wilczynski. We welcome Wilczynski and, noting his personal family connection to the Holocaust and impressive track record of leadership, are hopeful that our international engagement will be renewed.

Wilczynski can do a number of things, such as regularly convening meetings between delegates, reinstating funding for delegate travel and, most importantly, defining, with the delegation, an agenda for Holocaust and human rights education in Canada and a set of national and international priorities.

The Holocaust survivors who settled in Canada have profoundly shaped our country. Survivors have been instrumental in creating Holocaust education centres and commemoration programs, and continue to contribute by writing memoirs, through video testimony and by speaking to thousands of Canadians each year. Their legacy directly connects to current discussions about the refugee crisis, respect for diversity and genocide prevention.

It’s time for Canada to reaffirm its commitment to the Stockholm Declaration and the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. With the community of Canadian survivors fast disappearing, we have a responsibility to honour their steadfast work and take it up as our own.

http://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/azrieli-and-herscovitch-take-the-lead-in-holocaust-education-canada

Filed under Holocaust Tagged with Alice Herscovith, IHRA, Naomi Azrielli

International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) – Now that Canada no longer chairs …

2014/03/18 Leave a comment

Further to my earlier post, International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Ends: Andrew Bennett New Canadian Head of Delegation, a further update on the declining importance of IHRA now that the Canadian chairmanship has come and gone. Canada will no longer financially support attendance of Canadian Holocaust experts, leaving representation more at the symbolic rather than substantive level. I always found the strength of IHRA was the extensive involvement of experts, less so the governmental level (of which I was part).

Likely a combination of the bureaucratic (viewed as minor “all things Jewish” file rather than from a broader policy perspective) and the governmental (experts and expertise have more nuanced messaging than the political level, and focus on antisemitism and Israel mean ongoing community support).

Unfortunate, as the value of IHRA and Holocaust awareness and education is important for all Canadians, particularly in as diverse a society as Canada, and for the universal lessons it brings.

CORRECTION: Subsequently, this decision to no longer fund expert attendance was reversed given stakeholder pressure but still surprising that it happened in the first place.

Filed under Antisemitism, Holocaust, Multiculturalism Tagged with IHRA

International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Ends: Andrew Bennett New Canadian Head of Delegation

2014/03/13 1 Comment

Interesting choice of new head of Canadian delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance: Andrew Bennett, Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom.

Responsibility for multiculturalism-related files now spans three Ministers: Baird of DFATD, Alexander of CIC, and Kenney, who has overall political responsibility. Holocaust awareness and remembrance is about more than religious freedom. Countries like the US and UK separate religious freedom and Holocaust/antisemitism responsibilities. Represents a further dilution of the multiculturalism policy role of CIC, whether driven by the political or bureaucratic levels, and whether or not it represents distrust of officials.

News Release — Canadian Chair Year of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Ends: Holocaust Awareness and the Fight Against Anti-Semitism Continue.

Filed under Antisemitism, Holocaust, Multiculturalism Tagged with Andrew Bennett, IHRA, Office of Religious Freedom

What is anti-Semitism? EU racism agency unable to define term

2013/12/05 1 Comment

Surprising (to me) as this work by the EU was fundamental to many in having a working definition of antisemitism over the past years, and the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) formally adopted this definition at the Toronto plenary meeting this fall (Working Definition).

The actual text adopted by IHRA, in contrast to the earlier version of the EU, kept a narrow definition of antisemitism, dropping any reference to linkages between antisemitism and anti-Isreali positions.

What is anti-Semitism? EU racism agency unable to define term | JPost | Israel News.

Filed under Antisemitism, Multiculturalism Tagged with EU FRA, FRA, IHRA