Launching the 2014-2015 Holocaust Education Trust Ireland (HETI) Crocus Project this morning (Tuesday), the Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe TD, said that by teaching our children about the horrors of the past we can help to guard against the such events never happening again.
The Crocus project, which is now in its ninth year and which involves more than 50,000 young people across Europe, sees yellow Crocus bulbs given to school children who plant them in memory of the 1.5 million Jewish children who perished under the Nazi regime.
Speaking at the event, Minister Donohoe said:
‘The greatest mistake we can make, in terms of events of the past such as the Holocaust, is thinking that they can never happen again. It is up to us to ward against that by remaining vigilant and exposing discrimination and hatred wherever we see it’.
“By introducing our young people to the subject of the Holocaust, we can raise awareness of the dangers of racism, discrimination, prejudice and hate. We can also teach them about the importance of respecting one another, irrespective of skin colour, religion, sexual preference or race.
“A knowledge of our history and an understanding of what gave rise to such terrible events is vital if we are to ensure that the generations that follow do not succumb to the dangers of intolerance and xenophobia. I am delighted to be a part of this exceptionally worthwhile project that is making a difference to the lives of thousands of children, for generations to come.”
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