Confronting antisemitism through education, critical thinking and connection
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.
At the opening of the London IHRA plenary, a cross-cutting session brought together experts from different countries and across working groups to share how they are tackling contemporary antisemitism. Among them was Dr. Steven Cooke, who represents Australia on the IHRA Memorials and Museums Working Group. He introduced delegates to the Melbourne Holocaust Museum’s Critical Thinking is Critical initiative—an ambitious project designed to spark meaningful conversations, challenge assumptions, and inspire real change. The session encouraged valuable exchanges on the challenges and opportunities in countering antisemitism and fostering social cohesion.
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.
Dr Steven Cooke (CEO, Melbourne Holocaust Museum), Hugh de Kretser (President, Australian Human Rights Commission), Dr Breann Fallon (Head of Programming & Exhibitions, Melbourne Holocaust Museum), and Ms Ingrid Stitt (MP, Minister for Multicultural Affairs).
It is about creating spaces where people can have courageous, constructive conversations
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.
The more people learn about the Holocaust, the more empathy they show toward minority groups
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.
Likrat, a peer-to-peer dialogue program of the Youth Department of the Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG Wien), fosters direct encounters between Jewish youth and diverse audiences in schools and educational institutions, breaking down stereotypes and promoting mutual understanding.
Antisemitism takes many forms and varies across different national and cultural contexts. For educators, teacher trainers, and policymakers, knowing how to identify and respond to antisemitism and which tools are available for it is essential.
An innovative educational and digital tool, “Stories That Move” encourages learning through sharing real-life stories and experiences in the classroom, allowing younger generations to reflect on the importance of combating antisemitism and various other forms of discrimination.
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