After a successful year at the helm of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), the UK formally hands over the presidency to Israel on 3 March 2025.
From March 2024 to February 2025, the UK led the IHRA with the central theme, “In Plain Sight.” This theme underscored the reality that the Holocaust occurred within society’s full view, emphasizing the societal conditions that allowed the murder of six million Jewish men, women, and children. It also highlighted the responsibility of those who played a role—whether as perpetrators, bystanders, or rescuers.
Safeguarding Holocaust remembrance and combating distortion
Throughout its presidency, the UK prioritized preserving Holocaust remembrance and protecting historical truth. A key focus was tackling Holocaust distortion and examining the dual impact of artificial intelligence in both educating about and misrepresenting the Holocaust.
Among its initiatives was the "My Hometown" project, which encouraged young people across IHRA member countries to explore their local Holocaust history. The program engaged 56 schools from 15 countries, and a gallery showcasing the students’ work is available through the initiative’s implementing partner.
Additionally, the UK launched the 80 Objects-80 Lives digital exhibition, created in collaboration with the Association of Jewish Refugees. This collection of 80 short videos featured Holocaust survivors sharing personal stories connected to treasured possessions. The UK also supported the new UK testimony portal, consolidating survivor testimonies into a single, accessible platform for the first time.
Strengthening Holocaust education and archival access
As part of its leadership, the UK hosted two major IHRA plenary meetings, convening 300 international delegates in Glasgow in June and London in December to discuss global efforts in Holocaust remembrance, education, and research.
Key achievements included:
- Establishing the Archival Access Forum to enhance best practices for accessing and preserving Holocaust-related archival materials.
- Developing guidelines for sports institutions on implementing the IHRA’s definition of antisemitism.
- Hosting a major Roma conference with representatives from across Europe and launching IHRA’s recommendations for teaching and learning about Roma history and persecution.
Addressing emerging technologies and Holocaust distortion
A significant focus of the UK’s presidency was exploring the role of emerging technologies in Holocaust education and distortion. Collaborating with the OSCE, the UK co-hosted an event in Romania that examined how artificial intelligence can be leveraged to support Holocaust education while also identifying and countering antisemitism and distortion online. These discussions continued during a follow-up conference at the London plenary, further assessing AI’s potential risks and benefits in preserving Holocaust memory.
Domestic initiatives and commemorations
On the national level, the UK conducted a review on the number of prisoners who perished on Alderney during the Nazi occupation. This research played a crucial role in dispelling conspiracy theories and misinformation about this period of history.
The presidency also marked two significant anniversaries:
- The 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau
- The 25th anniversary of the Stockholm Declaration on Holocaust Remembrance
In February 2025, the UK brought together IHRA delegates and key figures who have contributed to international Holocaust commemoration efforts over the past 25 years. This gathering provided an opportunity to reflect on past achievements and set a course for the future of Holocaust remembrance.
Looking forward
As the Holocaust moves from living memory into history, the urgency to preserve survivors’ testimonies and protect Holocaust sites has never been greater. The UK’s presidency reaffirmed the importance of ensuring transparency in Holocaust-related archives, safeguarding historical truth, and amplifying the voices of survivors and their stories. With Israel now taking on the presidency, the global commitment to Holocaust remembrance and education continues. Photo by USHMM 46207, Wikimedia commons.