Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities

On April 23–24, the Auschwitz Institute’s Mediterranean Basin Programs team held the seventh edition of its customized training seminar for future Border Police agents in Oradea, Romania.

Organized within the framework of AIPG's Bruno and Suzanne Scheidt Refugee Protection Program (SRPP), and in partnership with the Border Police Agents Training School “Avram Iancu” in Oradea, the two-day intensive seminar, Strengthening Democratic Resilience in Border Areas During a Global Migration Crisis, brought together 120 students for interactive learning on migration management, the protection of human rights, and the prevention of identity-based violence.

Through case studies, practical exercises, and group discussions, participants explored, among other topics, the human stories behind migration, the risks migrants face along their routes and in reception countries, and the crucial role border police agents can play in safeguarding human dignity, supporting vulnerable individuals, and strengthening democratic stability. The training also fostered thoughtful discussions on the links between security and human rights, as well as the importance of building inclusive, democratic communities, especially in border regions.

With a strong emphasis on prevention and a human rights-based approach, participants examined how professional border work can uphold democratic values and contribute to preventing future atrocities, especially in the context of today’s complex migration challenges.

We are grateful for the continued partnership with the Border Police Agents Training School “Avram Iancu” and proud that, since the program’s inception, this unique training format has reached over 1,300 future border police agents in Romania—and continues to expand with each successful training edition.

📷 Photos: Matei Demetrescu, Florian Rogojan
🔗 Read more about AIPG's SRPP: https://www.auschwitzinstitute.org/programs/scheidt-refugee-protection-program

Día de la Memoria por la Verdad y la Justicia 2026. A 50 años del golpe de Estado en Argentina.

AIPG - Día Nacional de la Memoria por la Verdad y la Justicia en Argentina 2026 A 50 años del golpe de Estado en Argentina.

The Global Raphael Lemkin Seminar for Genocide Prevention, held from March 22 to 29, 2026, in Oświęcim and Kraków, Poland, convened 21 participants from 17 countries in a dynamic, cross-sectoral dialogue on responding effectively to risk factors for mass atrocities and all forms of identity-based violence.

Organized by the Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities (AIPG) in partnership with the Auschwitz Memorial / Muzeum Auschwitz, the program was implemented with the assistance of the Claims Conference (Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany) and supported by the Bundesfinanzministerium(German Federal Ministry of Finance), the Blavatnik Family Foundation, and other generous partners.

Grounded in the symbolic power of place at Auschwitz, the seminar was enriched by expert-led sessions, guided study visits, and a capstone simulation. It equipped government representatives, civil society practitioners, and academics with cutting-edge knowledge and practical tools spanning proactive, responsive, and redressive approaches to AtrocityPrevention. Simultaneously, the program fostered a global network of human rights practitioners committed to strengthening democratic resilience.

Since 2008, AIPG has cultivated a global network of more than 12,500 alumni, strengthening international cooperation and equipping a wide range of stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to prevent mass atrocities worldwide.

The Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities is pleased to share that our Director of the Warren Educational Policies Program, Clara Ramírez Barat, was recently interviewed by Dr. Emiliano T. Bosio, Ph.D., for the Global Citizenship Education Interview Series.

In this conversation, Clara reflects on how education can be a powerful tool for strengthening societal resilience against human rights abuses and genocide.

The discussion highlights the critical intersections among transitional justice, prevention-oriented education, youth peacebuilding, democratic values, and global citizenship.

🔗 Watch the full conversation here:

Clara Ramírez Barat | Auschwitz Institute | GCE Interview Series with Emiliano Bosio Welcome to the Global Citizenship Education Interview Series, where we engage ...

Join us for the book release party for Inheritance: Love, Loss, and the Legacy of the Holocaust, co-authored by AIPG Board Member Charlie Scheidt and Kat Rohrer. 📚

📅 Monday, March 16, 2026
⏰ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm ET
📍La Nacional, 239 W 14th Street,
New York, NY 10011 (Parlor Floor)
📝 RSVP before Friday, March 13, 2026, here: https://forms.gle/brGxPxXoFPyGjEFXA

🔗 https://www.inheritancememoir.com/book/inheritance/

On December 8 and 9, 2025, the Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities (AIPG) and the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum jointly organized the first pilot seminar, "From Holocaust Education to Atrocity Prevention," in Oświęcim, Poland. The seminar was designed to support museum guides in strengthening the connection between their daily interpretive work and the broader field of genocide and mass atrocity prevention.

Dr. Tibi Galis, AIPG's Executive Director, and Andrzej Kacorzyk, Deputy Director of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, opened the seminar and welcomed participants. Dr. Kerry Whigham, Director of the Department of Research and Online Education at AIPG, and Max Pensky, Co-Director of the Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention (I-GMAP), delivered all modules throughout the two-day program.

Through four interconnected modules—Introduction to Mass Atrocities and Their Prevention, Genocide as Process, Prevention and the Holocaust, and Comparing Genocides—participants explored the structural and dynamic factors that enable atrocities, examined how the history of Auschwitz can illuminate contemporary risks, and developed comparative insights that responsibly situate the Holocaust alongside other cases.

The seminar emphasized both historical rigor and practical application, equipping guides to frame their tours within a prevention-focused perspective that enhances visitors' understanding of the Holocaust's enduring relevance.

On December 15–16, AIPG's Mediterranean Basin Programs team organized a two-day customized training for students of the "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" Police Academy in Bucharest. Entitled "Unpacking the Past to Safeguard the Future: Empowering Law Enforcement Students in Romania to Confront Antisemitism, Racism, Xenophobia, and Radicalization through Democratic and Human Rights Education," the seminar focused on the relevance of historical lessons—particularly those of the Holocaust and other mass atrocities—for today's law enforcement professionals. 📚👮

In a volatile and polarized environment marked by democratic backsliding and increasing hate, the training emphasized that law enforcement officers are not only implementers of the law but also a critical interface between the state and society. 🤝 Participants explored how ethical judgment, professionalism, accountability, and respect for human rights and human dignity directly shape public trust, social cohesion, and democratic resilience.

Through interactive discussions with experts, case studies, and a capstone simulation, students examined radicalization and atrocities as gradual processes, analyzing early warning signs such as structural risk factors for mass violence, discriminatory practices, hate speech, disinformation, and exclusionary narratives, both offline and online. The program reinforced the crucial need for continuous learning, critical thinking, individual responsibility, and the courage to embrace productive discomfort as essential elements of democratic leadership. It also provided future law enforcement officers with practical tools and strategies for addressing these warning signs in the communities they will serve.

The seminar concluded with a certification award ceremony, generously hosted by the German Embassy in Bucharest 🇩🇪🇷🇴, recognizing the participants' engagement and commitment to confronting antisemitism, racism, xenophobia, and radicalization through a prevention- and human rights-based approach.

AIPG expresses its gratitude to the Ambasada Germaniei București for its continued support and shared belief in education as a prevention tool; to the Academia de Poliție „Alexandru Ioan Cuza” for its trusted partnership and availability to sustained dialogue; and to the Goethe-Institut Bucuresti for hosting the seminar in its inspiring library. A special THANK YOU ❤️ goes to all guest experts involved for their professionalism and enthusiasm, and to the participating students for their trust, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to safeguarding human dignity, democratic values, and our shared humanity. 🌍

On November 20–21, AIPG’s Mediterranean Basin team organized the final regional workshop in Baia Mare, Romania, as part of the project “Life Stories, Not Numbers — Strengthening Democratic Resilience through Inclusive Narratives.”

This closing event brought together key stakeholders from Baia Mare, Sighetu Marmației, and Șomcuta Mare, representing state institutions, civil society, academia, media, international organizations, and community initiatives. All participants play vital roles in supporting individuals forced to flee their homes, as well as other vulnerable groups.

Over the course of two days, participants revisited lessons learned from emergency response efforts and explored ongoing challenges related to institutionalizing these initiatives into sustainable, long-term integration mechanisms that strengthen stability and the social fabric of their communities.

Under the motto:
✨ “People, Not Numbers—A Dialogue on Resilient Communities in an Age of Migration and Polarization” ✨

The workshop addressed:

🔹Practical insights from crisis management and interinstitutional coordination;
🔹How the ongoing war in Ukraine continues to reshape humanitarian and institutional realities in border regions;
🔹Identity-based tensions and risk factors for conflict escalation;
🔹Emotional, financial, and logistical challenges of long-term refugee support;
🔹Public perceptions, media narratives, and the role of disinformation surrounding migration;
🔹Strategies to maintain trust, dialogue, and social cohesion in polarized environments;
🔹Strengthening resilience in border communities during volatile times.

We were truly inspired by the professionalism, resilience, and unwavering human dedication demonstrated by everyone involved, including border police, emergency services, Salvamont (Romanian Mountain Rescue Service), local authorities, human rights practitioners, social workers and cultural mediators, and community organizations. Their commitment continues to define a compassionate response to displacement, especially in times shaped by hardship, uncertainty, and social tension.

This initiative is supported by the European Philanthropic Initiative for Migration (EPIM) and implemented by AIPG in partnership with the Institute of Oral History at Universitatea Babeş-Bolyai, Scena9, and Agentia Impreuna

We extend our sincere gratitude to all contributors for their openness, expertise, valuable insights, and ongoing commitment, especially during challenging and uncertain times. We were also honored to be joined by the protagonists from our media campaign, who generously shared their life stories with the wider public.

Because behind every statistic is a story. And behind every story is a human being who keeps our shared humanity alive.

🔗 https://epim.info/
🔗 https://www.scena9.ro/oameni-nu-cifre

We are pleased to announce that we continued our series of regional workshops with a convening in Suceava on November 13–14 as part of the project "Life Stories, Not Numbers—Strengthening Democratic Resilience through Inclusive Narratives."

Bringing together representatives of public authorities, NGOs, academia, the media, and refugee-led organizations from Rădăuți and Suceava, the workshop highlighted the strong collaboration built among local actors, particularly during the 2022 Ukraine refugee response. We are deeply impressed by the expertise, commitment, and human connections formed at the local level, as well as the honest dialogue on challenges and lessons learned as border communities transition from emergency response to long-term integration and ongoing support for refugees who have decided to remain in Romania.

Under the motto
✨"People, Not Numbers—A Dialogue on Resilient Communities in an Age of Migration and Polarization,"✨ the two-day discussions focused on:

🔹 Mapping risks of identity-based violence in volatile times;
🔹 Recognizing and addressing compassion fatigue as conflicts persist, and developing sustainable support strategies;
🔹 Examining public perceptions of assistance to Ukrainian refugees and the risks posed by disinformation and unclear communication strategies;
🔹 Navigating sensitive conversations in increasingly polarized contexts;
🔹 Strengthening social cohesion and trust in communities hosting refugees during periods of economic and socio-political uncertainty;
🔹 Leveraging successful practices developed during the crisis to strengthen long-term resilience.

Supported by the European Philanthropic Initiative for Migration (EPIM) and carried out in partnership with the Oral History Institute at Universitatea Babeş-Bolyai, Scena9, and Agentia Impreuna, the project examines how personal migrant narratives intersect with systemic issues such as education, healthcare, and access to the labor market in Romania. Through oral history interviews, media analysis, storytelling, and cross-sectoral consultations, the initiative aims to reframe migration as a shared social experience and support democratic resilience.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all participants—including contributors to our media campaign—for their thoughtful and candid contributions, critical insights, and continued commitment to supporting people forced to flee their homes. Building a nuanced, well-balanced, inclusive, and empathetic migration discourse begins with fact-based dialogue and the shared intention to strengthen community life, especially in turbulent times.

🔗 https://epim.info/
🔗 https://www.scena9.ro/oameni-nu-cifre

Through the project “Life Stories, Not Numbers—Strengthening Democratic Resilience through Inclusive Narratives,” AIPG’s Mediterranean Basin Programs team brings migrants’ personal stories into conversation with broader societal issues in Romania — from healthcare and education to access to the labor market.

In a context of increased polarization and declining institutional trust, the project aims to strengthen democratic resilience by reframing migration as a shared social experience. Supported by EPIM (European Philanthropic Initiative for Migration) and carried out in cooperation with Scena9, Agentia Impreuna, and the Oral History Institute at the Universitatea Babeş-Bolyai, this multi-dimensional project uses oral history, media analysis, cross-sectoral consultations, and storytelling to uncover systemic challenges, bridge divides, and encourage collective solutions based on best practices identified in border communities.

As part of this work, AIPG is organizing three regional workshops in Oradea, Suceava, and Baia Mare to facilitate an in-depth dialogue among public authorities, civil society, academia, and the media on human mobility and belonging in times of volatility.

We are grateful for the thoughtful and engaging discussions from our first convening in Oradea (November 6–7, 2025).

Under the motto “People, Not Numbers – A Dialogue on Resilient Communities in an Age of Migration and Polarization”, participants explored:

🌍 How migration influences Romania’s democratic resilience and social cohesion;
🗣️ Which narratives about migration shape public perception and policy;
🤝 How border communities can build trust and cooperation;
👥 What opportunities exist to redefine migration discourse at national and regional levels.

We also had the pleasure of welcoming to the workshop two protagonists from our media campaign Life Stories, Not Numbers, who generously shared their experiences of Romania as a host country.

These conversations mark an important step toward a more connected and empathetic society — one where migration is understood as an integral part of a vibrant and inclusive community life.

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/epim-european-philanthropic-initiative-for-migration/posts/?feedView=all
🔗 https://www.scena9.ro/oameni-nu-cifre