Mechelen, 17/01/2025 – We welcome the recommendations presented today by the Wise Persons Group of the Senate. It is an important moment of recognition for one of the darkest and most painful pages in our history. The work of the group offers a multitude of suggestions to make historical facts widely accessible and links this to remembrance education.
In terms of transmission of this history, we see no new elements. The recommendations build on years of efforts by various institutions working tirelessly to research, commemorate, educate and raise awareness on the history of the Holocaust. These institutions were also heard during the proceedings. It is crucial that this work is strengthened and further supported, as suggested in the report.
Tomas Baum, director of Kazerne Dossin: ‘ At Kazerne Dossin, we have been preserving, researching, presenting and conveying the history of the persecution of Jews, Sinti and Roma during World War II in our memorial, museum, and archive and research centre for many years. From this Holocaust memorial, we not only reflect on the past, we also question the current significance of human dignity and human rights.’
The aspects of reparation – and compensation – are only briefly touched upon in the report. This is in contrast to a similar exercise done for the Dutch Railways. Official apologies offered by the Belgian railway company is an important symbolic step, but this must be accompanied by a firm commitment by the railway company in structural and practical initiatives.
The Wise Persons Group rightly stresses the importance of education. Tomas Baum: ‘Confronting the history of the genocide of Jews, Sinti and Roma often leads to deeper questions that include ethical and political aspects – also about society today. It comes down to applying a differentiated approach tailored to different target groups and education levels. A question-driven approach seems to generate the most learning gains. What do we know? How do we talk about this? How do we relate to this history? ’
While the recommendations presented send an important message, we should be aware of the challenge that lies in following them up in our institutional context and in society writ large. The success of these recommendations depends on how they are taken up and implemented by the various competent authorities. We are therefore eager to see what concrete steps these authorities and relevant institutions will take to turn the suggestions into policy and sustainable initiatives.