THE HOLOCAUST AND THE UNITED NATIONS OUTREACH PROGRAMME

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The Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
JOURNEYS THROUGH THE HOLOCAUST
1. Spielberg began working with the USC Shoah Foundation —
The Institute for Visual History and Education — in 1994.
The Foundation has recorded the testimonies of more than
50,000 Holocaust survivors, living in more than 55 countries
and speaking nearly three dozen languages. How did these
testimonies help turn survivors into “the world’s teachers”?
2. Spielberg talks about the use of the preposition “through” in
“Journeys through the Holocaust”. It suggests, he says, that it
was possible and remains possible, to enter and then exit the
Holocaust. Do you believe it was possible for survivors to move
“through” the Holocaust? How are you inspired by the survivors
who went on to live productive lives?
3. Spielberg urges people to refuse the despair and paralysis that
can result when we confront the evilness of genocide. What does
he suggest we gain from listening to testimonies from survivors
such as George Papanek? How do you react when you read or
hear news of mass murders and attacks on people because of
their skin colour, ethnic group, religious beliefs or sexuality?
4. Spielberg believes the broad perspective offered by the United
Nations is critical to help resolve what appear to be unsolvable
global problems. He believes its endurance as an institution
over the past 70 years demonstrates that people can fight
against despair. Do you believe the United Nations has a role
to play today in helping prevent genocides and hatred? How
can the United Nations increase its impact?
5. Spielberg refers to other acts of genocide which have occurred
for example in Cambodia and Rwanda. What actions can your
generation take to make sure genocide is not repeated?