the rejection of others, but it also underlines the fact that everyone can actually act and do something. “The reflection area is not only a call for vigilance, but also a call for an active counteraction of dangerous mechanisms which are possible at all stages. Based on scientific analysis of this history, Camp des Milles makes us aware of the first symptoms of the discussed process, saying that the earlier we counteract, the more effective it is. Learning the collective mechanism leading to mass crimes against humanity shows natural or conditioned human behaviors which might increase aggressive reactions such as the element of group passivity, shift of responsibility, obeying the authorities. We finish the visit with examples of righteous acts which were met in the context of discussed genocides.”
She concluded by saying that for the Camp des Milles memorial site, “the Shoah is treated as a source of information which is necessary for preventing mass genocide in the future.”
As well as the first speaker, Dr. Alicja Bartuś introduced her presentation by quoting a survivor, Roman Kent: “It is our common duty to instill in this and future generations the knowledge of what happens when prejudices spread, when hatred spreads. At home and at school, we need to teach our children about tolerance. Tolerance cannot be assumed, we have to learn how to be tolerant. […] If I had the power to do that, I would add an 11th commandment to the 10 that already exist. Thou shalt never be a passive observer.”
She based her presentation on this statement and presented the specific concept of comparative education. In accordance with Magdalena Wolak, she said that we should educate young people by comparing previous and actual conflicts and genocides to teach about the mechanisms underpinning these crimes. Through her presentation, she specifically emphasized the notions of sensitivity to others and other crimes, and the fact that everyone can act and shouldn’t be a passive observer.
First, she gave the example of Rafał Lemkin and how he single-handedly changed the world. He coined and defined the concept of genocide. He was a direct witness of many crimes (the genocide of the Armenians, the Holocaust and the Holodomor) and decided to act to change the legal regulation and law in the world. “Rafał Lemkin did not remain passive.
He was no passive observer; he did not simply watch the things that were unfolding before his eyes. He acted, he had the resolve that allowed him to help with the adoption in 1951 of a convention preventing the crimes of genocide.”