- Published: 27.01.2025.
We want new generations to know history so that together we can build a more responsible society and world
On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković participated in the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, from where an important message was sent that crimes with such consequences for humanity must not be repeated.
"This is an important message that such crimes must not be repeated when it comes to the consequences for humanity. We have also heard messages, especially from the president of the World Jewish Congress, regarding strong opposition to the growth of anti-Semitism around the world," said Plenković.He recalled that Croatia chaired the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance two years ago and made a very important contribution to this very topic.
"We want our education system and new generations to be familiar with history, with such great and terrible events, so that together we can build a more responsible society and world," said Plenković.
He added that these were also the messages of survivors, as well as numerous world leaders who gathered today in the Polish city of Oświęcim, at the site of the most horrific death camp from World War II.
One of the great challenges today, the Prime Minister believes, is to send correct messages to young generations, which will be adapted to their way of communication and information through social networks, instead of other means of communication that were previously more credible in terms of verifying messages and their authenticity.
"Therefore, it is important that our education system sets clear value foundations, based on facts, and that the subject of history in particular is adequately conveyed to younger generations," said Plenković.
When it comes to anti-Semitism, he believes that the situation has changed significantly after the brutal Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and that significantly different messages were heard today than those five years ago on the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The war between Hamas and Israel significantly contributed to the growth of anti-Semitism around the world, which is why survivors emphasized in their speeches that this concerned them and called for a sense of responsibility.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that the President of the Coordination of Jewish Municipalities in the Republic of Croatia, Ognjen Kraus, was also in the Croatian delegation today, and emphasized that this also sent an important message of fostering good relations between the Government and representatives of the Jewish minority in Croatia.