Holocaust Memorial Day Trust

Holocaust Memorial Day Trust
Name	Holocaust Memorial Day Trust
Formation	2001
Type	Charitable trust
Purpose	Holocaust remembrance and education
Headquarters	London
Region served	United Kingdom
Leader title	Chief Executive

Holocaust Memorial Day Trust is a British charity established to lead national efforts for Holocaust Memorial Day in the United Kingdom. The Trust promotes remembrance of the Holocaust and genocides including the Nazi persecution of Jews, the Armenian Genocide, the Cambodian genocide, the Rwandan genocide, and the Srebrenica massacre, and supports educational work across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It works with museums, cultural institutions, faith communities, schools, universities, civic authorities, and international organizations to mark 27 January annually.

History

The Trust was created following recommendations linked to the United Kingdom's statutory recognition of Holocaust Memorial Day, informed by inquiries and commissions associated with Tony Blair's administration, consultations with survivors such as Szymon Serafinowicz and activists connected to Ben Helfgott, and input from institutions including the Imperial War Museum, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the Yad Vashem museum. Early trustees included figures from the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the British Government's departments for culture and Foreign and Commonwealth Office stakeholders, and representatives with ties to Anne Frank House initiatives and the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. Over time the organisation forged partnerships with the National Union of Students, the Association of Jewish Refugees, and civic bodies such as the Greater London Authority.

Purpose and Activities

The Trust's remit focuses on remembrance and education about genocides such as the Holocaust (including ghettos like the Warsaw Ghetto and events such as Kristallnacht), the Armenian Genocide, the Herero and Namaqua Genocide, the Cambodian genocide under Khmer Rouge, the Rwandan genocide and the Srebrenica massacre. It issues annual themes for Holocaust Memorial Day and publishes guidance used by institutions including the British Library, the National Archives (United Kingdom), and universities such as University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University College London and King's College London. The Trust collaborates with cultural partners like the Royal Opera House, the National Theatre, and museums such as the Imperial War Museum and the Museum of London to develop exhibitions and programming. It also advises local authorities including Manchester City Council, Birmingham City Council, Glasgow City Council, and Cardiff Council on commemoration logistics.

Education and Outreach

Educational resources from the Trust are used by schools, colleges, and community organizations and reference materials from institutions such as the BBC, the Open University, the National Literacy Trust, and the Institute of Education. It provides lesson plans, survivor testimony collections recorded with partners like the Shoah Foundation, archives including the Wiener Library, oral histories from survivors relocated to communities via the Kindertransport network, and digital resources developed with the National Museums Liverpool and the Jewish Museum London. Outreach targets educators connected to organizations like the National Education Union and teacher training providers at Goldsmiths, University of London. The Trust's resources are used internationally by bodies such as the Council of Europe and NGOs like Amnesty International.

Commemoration Events and Programmes

The Trust coordinates national commemorations on 27 January with national moments of reflection and works with civic ceremonies at sites including the Trafalgar Square cenotaph events, services at synagogues such as the West London Synagogue, interfaith gatherings with representatives from St Martin-in-the-Fields, mosques like East London Mosque, and cathedrals including Southwark Cathedral. Programmes have featured performances by artists linked to the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, film seasons in partnership with the British Film Institute, and exhibitions curated by the Victoria and Albert Museum. The Trust runs initiatives for young people such as the HMD Youth Advisory Board and partners with organisations including Scouts (Scouting), Girlguiding, and the National Citizen Service to promote civic engagement.

Governance and Funding

The Trust is governed by a board of trustees drawn from sectors including civil society, academia, faith communities, and cultural institutions; past trustees have had affiliations with organisations like the Crown Prosecution Service, the Historic England, and the National Police Chiefs' Council. Funding comes from a mixture of grants and donations, including allocations from government departments, charitable foundations such as the Wellcome Trust and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, and corporate supporters including philanthropic arms of cultural partners like the Barclays philanthropic programmes and trusts tied to Tesco and Lloyds Banking Group. The Trust has received oversight and audit interactions with bodies such as the Charity Commission for England and Wales and financial reporting involving accounting firms including PwC and KPMG on specific projects.

Reception and Impact

The Trust's work has been commended by survivor networks including the Holocaust Educational Trust and international bodies such as the United Nations's human rights mechanisms and the European Parliament for sustaining public memory. Academic responses in journals associated with King's College London and University of Leeds have evaluated its pedagogical materials, while civic partners from the Local Government Association and arts institutions including the Royal Shakespeare Company have highlighted its role in fostering interdisciplinary programming. Critiques in media outlets such as the Guardian, the Times (London), and commentary from scholars linked to SOAS University of London have debated scope, emphasis, and resourcing. Overall, the Trust remains a central organisation in the United Kingdom's commemorative landscape, shaping practice among museums, schools, faith groups, and civic bodies including the Cabinet Office and regional cultural agencies like Arts Council England.

Category:Charities based in London Category:Holocaust commemoration