CONFRONTING ANTISEMITISM
IN MELBOURNE
IHRA
The Melbourne Holocaust Museum has long been a leader in innovative Holocaust education, using storytelling, testimony, and human connection to help people think critically and practice empathy.
The Melbourne Holocaust Museum has long been a leader in innovative Holocaust education, using storytelling, testimony, and human connection to help people think critically and practice empathy. In 2024 alone, their expert educators worked with over 27,000 students, combining essential historical knowledge with personal stories to inspire a deeper understanding of difference and diversity.
Research backs up the power of Holocaust education. The Gandel Holocaust Knowledge and Awareness in Australia
Survey—Australia’s first national study on Holocaust knowledge—found that the more people learn about the Holocaust, the more empathy they show toward Jewish people, First Nations communities, asylum seekers, and other minority groups.
But education is just the beginning. The Melbourne Holocaust Museum is expanding its efforts to create real, long-term change through Critical Thinking is Critical, a multi-year, multi-sector initiative focused on building critical thinking skills, encouraging open and honest conversations, and fostering a sense of shared responsibility. The goal? To create a more thoughtful, inclusive, and connected society.
The initiative is built on three core pillars:
Educate: Expanding programs that challenge assumptions, deepen historical knowledge, and encourage meaningful discussions.
Innovate: Creating new, immersive storytelling experiences that help people step into someone else’s shoes and see the world from a different perspective.
Advocate: Working with educators, businesses, and community leaders to support dialogue on social cohesion and inclusivity.
Throughout 2024, the Melbourne Holocaust Museum has engaged with teachers, business leaders, community groups, and the media to explore fresh approaches to tackling contemporary challenges—all while staying true to its mission as a Holocaust Museum. This year, they will launch:
An Immersive Storytelling Experience
A “walk in my shoes” interactive program using personal stories, virtual reality, and guided discussions to promote empathy and challenge bias in workplaces and the wider community.
Expanded Teacher Resources
New classroom materials aligned with the Victorian Curriculum to help educators foster intercultural understanding, along with professional development tools to support teachers in navigating tough conversations.
A Youth Leadership Initiative
A new Youth Committee and a one-day youth conference, designed to empower young people with the skills and confidence to inspire change in their schools and communities.
At its core, the Melbourne Holocaust Museum is all about creating spaces where people can have courageous, constructive conversations—where curiosity and respect lead to real learning and, ultimately, real change. By fostering critical thinking and empathy, they are helping to shape a future where understanding and inclusivity thrive.
Learn more about the Melbourne Holocaust Museum
The Museum’s groundbreaking project, “Critical Thinking is Critical: Educate, Innovate and Advocate against Antisemitism” focuses on the reduction of antisemitism, vilification and hate speech in Victoria. It is a project of learning, listening, enquiry and discovery which will ultimately develop and deliver an education and advocacy program designed to address antisemitism and champion social change and cohesion.
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