News

International Summer Academy – for the first time at the Memorial Site and online

Due to enormous interest, for the first time in the history of the International Summer Academy organized by the International Center for Education about Auschwitz and the Holocaust, the program was held in two formats – onsite and online.

At the beginning of August 25 people from seven countries (Canada, Czechia, Germany, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States) participated in a week-long seminar at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial. Those who were not selected for the onsite project had the opportunity to participate in a one-day online program held on 18 August 2024.

‘We have organized the International Summer Academy for the eleventh time. However, this is the first time that interest in the project has been so great. Within a few days of starting the recruitment, nearly 200 applications were received for 25 available places. Therefore, in response to such a large response, we decided to organize a special online program for all those we could not invite to the onsite seminar,’ said Anna Stańczyk, the project coordinator from ICEAH.

The onsite seminar program included a two-day visit to Krakow, during which participants had the opportunity to learn about the history of the city's Jewish community from its appearance in the city to contemporary times. During visits to the former ghetto and KL Plaszow camp, various ways of commemorating the tragic fates of Jews during World War II were presented.

The main part of the program took place at the Auschwitz Memorial and Museum. Through guided tours, lectures, presentations, and workshops conducted by Museum staff, the group had the opportunity to learn not only about the complex history of the German Nazi Auschwitz camp and the fates of various people deported there, but they could also see how the contemporary Memorial operates and learn about its tasks and challenges.

‘As a Holocaust historian and professional, this experience has further allowed me to greatly expand my knowledge. Having the ability to meet with the museum’s specialists, and learn from them firsthand, is an invaluable opportunity. The program went above and beyond my expectations. I am leaving with a renewed purpose towards my work. I hope to be able to attend further sessions and continue the dialogue between the specialists and my fellow cohorts,’ said Amy Grove from the US.

‘The 2024 International Summer Academy is much more than just an academic programme. Amazing guided tours, and access to behind-the-scenes – it opened our eyes to further reflections on being human then and now. I highly recommend attendance. I learned a lot,’ said Efrat Laksman from Canada.

The online program included presentations on the activities of the Education Center and the symbolism and significance of Auschwitz for different groups worldwide, as well as a tour of the former campsite using the "Auschwitz in front of your eyes" platform. This unique tool combines the ability for live guided tours of the former camp and interaction with the guide.

‘So far, I have avoided going to Poland with my school or on a personal visit, for numerous reasons. Today's tour gave me a really good impression of what to expect, and of the enormous range of work that is being done at the museum and the memorial to research and preserve the history of Auschwitz and of its place within the Holocaust, and - most importantly - to tell as many human stories of victims as possible. In other words, the online tour convinced me that the actual site is worth a visit, and more than just one day. First on my own or with some of my children, and then with my students,’ saidYonathan Bar-On, who participated in the online program.

‘As a Holocaust scholar from India, this was an extremely humbling experience for me. The International Summer Academy tour is not just an educational journey but a moral imperative to engage with the past, to honor the victims, and to commit to the principles of human dignity and justice,’ said Dr. Mehak Burza.

‘The contemporary world increasingly shows us that the history of Auschwitz is still incredibly relevant, that it is very difficult to learn lessons from the past to avoid repeating the same mistakes. We realize that not everyone can come to the Memorial to see firsthand the results of antisemitism and the racist ideology of Nazi Germany. Therefore, we also pay great attention to online education, continuously working on new tools that can help us reach different groups in various parts of the world with the message about Auschwitz, said Anna Stańczyk

‘Hence the idea of creating an application for online guiding. Thanks to this, we were also able to prepare an online version of the Summer Academy, in which the program may include an element that is crucial during our educational activities – visiting the authentic Memorial Site, she emphasized.

"Auschwitz in Front of Your Eyes" is an application through which millions of people worldwide have access to education conducted directly from the authentic Memorial Site. It is used for touring the former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau with a guide online. Reservations can be made at visit.auschwitz.org.