A group of teenagers from different parts of Belfast recently participated in a life-changing cross-community trip to Krakow, where they learned about the Holocaust. The project, supported by funding from Clanmil, brought together twelve 18-year-olds from the South Belfast Rosario Youth Club and Streetbeat Youth Club in North Belfast. These teens gained an OCN Level 1 qualification in Holocaust Awareness through their participation in the project, which was part of the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy. This initiative aims to improve community relations and promote a more united and shared society.
The project was facilitated by the International School for Peace Studies, a non-profit organization based in Derry/Londonderry that specializes in delivering reconciliation training programs. The young participants engaged in workshops from February to March, with a pre-departure workshop in May, before embarking on their trip to Poland in August. During these workshops, they learned about the events leading up to the Holocaust, including the rise of Hitler, the persecution of Jewish people, and antisemitism in Europe.
In Krakow, the teens visited significant sites related to the Holocaust such as Auschwitz and Birkenau, where they had the opportunity to meet Holocaust survivor Sophia Zofia Radzikowska. They also explored synagogues, cemeteries, and memorials in the city’s Jewish quarter, as well as the Wieliczka Salt Mine and Schindler’s factory museum. These experiences provided them with a deep understanding of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust and the importance of education and remembrance.
The workshops conducted by Nigel Hagon of the International School for Peace Studies encouraged open and respectful discussions among the participants, allowing them to share their views and opinions on the challenging topics presented. The young people expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the Holocaust awareness program, with Nicole Moreland highlighting the educational value of the experience.
Nicole found the trip to Krakow to be both enjoyable and educational, offering her a deeper insight into this troubling period of history. She emphasized the impact of visiting historical sites like Auschwitz-Birkenau and Schindler’s factory, which made the trip extremely memorable. Sophie Bailie from StreetBeat reflected on the tragic history of Krakow and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the past.
The young participants will receive their OCN certificates at an event in Belfast on 5 November, marking the culmination of their journey towards greater awareness and understanding of the Holocaust. This cross-community project has not only equipped these teenagers with valuable qualifications but has also fostered empathy, respect, and a commitment to promoting unity and shared society among them.