Ms Zhemkova echoed the sentiment of there being no universal means and methods to raise awareness, but stated that the only universal element is that “we should listen to one another”. It is important, she emphasised, that people are taught that “we are all people of history,” and we should be learning from that history through whatever power is in our means. She added that we must be aware of the complexities of history; in the Soviet Union, for example, some people began as perpetrators and ended up as victims.
Ms Allegra responded to this point by questioning how we should measure current atrocities that are not perpetrated under the auspices of, for example, Stalinism or Nazism. She stated that 12,000 people have died in Middle Eastern torture camps, and over a million people trapped in Libya, destined for human trafficking and exploitation.
Mr Bernstein applauded Ms Allegra for taking responsibility for sharing these stories, and emphasised that this should happen more often. He also commented on the presence of denial, not just of the Holocaust but of both past and present conflicts, and how America’s current troubles on the border with Latin America are “fitting into the stages of genocide.”
Mr Ferreiro added that “museums should be places that lay down the facts, but also help with making decisions in the present.” He pointed out that many students come to the travelling exhibition with History teachers, but also those teaching subjects such as Citizenship and Human Rights.
What sort of problems do you encounter in your work on a daily basis?
Ms Allegra highlighted the criteria that must be met to be granted asylum in France, which many refugees do not currently meet. She also stated that many European governments don’t recognise Eritrea as a dictatorship, even though “it’s the North Korea of Africa,” and so those who flee are not granted asylum. Finally, Allegra commented on the criminalisation of rescue of those trying to get across the Mediterranean Sea. She said that “this is dangerous for history” and “we are punishing human goodwill” whilst people remain largely ignorant about the terrible things which are happening.
Mr Bernstein raised concerns about the constant competition in the media, regarding who can publish news first without having sources properly verified. This, in turn, seems to give credence to the idea of ‘fake news’, and “30% of [America] believe things are fake news because one person told them that.”
Mr Ferreiro commented that encouraging people to reflect on issues is the most important thing. Documentaries such as Allegra’s Under the Skin should allow people to think about what is happening in the world, and be moved to act upon it.
Ms Zhemkova made two final points. The first was that she worries about all those stories that remain untold, as those who lived through them are now dead. Secondly, she said that young people need optimism, but this is not something that is particularly easy to find in the world today.
Members of the audience thanked the panel for their efforts in raising awareness of certain conflicts; highlighted troubles in countries such as Colombia; and asked how awareness of atrocities can be communicated to countries that don’t necessarily learn about them.