Shaping the future of Holocaust remembrance: Michaela Küchler’s mission as IHRA Secretary General
Following a diplomatic career spanning 40 years, Michaela Küchler assumed the role of IHRA Secretary General in February 2025. We spoke with her about history, remembrance, and her hopes for the future of the IHRA.
A career diplomat, Michaela Küchler has held a range of positions including Press Attaché in Santiago de Chile, Cultural Attaché in former Czechoslovakia, and Consul General in Chennai. She also served as a negotiator for European Union enlargement and as a European policy adviser to two Federal Chancellors and three Federal Presidents. As Chair of the IHRA German presidency in 2020, she spearheaded initiatives to counter distortion of the Holocaust and the genocide of the Roma.
From diplomacy to remembrance
Michaela Küchler was 14 years old when she learned about the Holocaust through the film Nuit et Brouillard (Night and Fog) shown in her history class at school. Later, she found a slim brochure in her parents’ bookshelf entitled “Theresienstadt” which encouraged her to learn more about the topic. These encounters would lay the foundation for a career in which remembrance of the Holocaust would play a key role.
Building on her interest in history, foreign languages, and politics, Michaela decided to study law with the aim of entering the German Foreign Service. After joining the German Federal Foreign Office, her first foreign posting was in 1990 to what was then Czechoslovakia, which had special meaning as both of Michaela’s parents were born there.
"Nothing should overshadow the significance of Holocaust Remembrance Day, especially not political agendas”
During her time as Desk Officer for Culture and Protocol in Prague, Michaela developed meaningful relationships with the local Jewish community. From 1994 to 1996, as Consul and later Press Officer in Chile, she connected with Jewish immigrants and survivors. What struck her the most was their strong fondness for Germany, despite the immense suffering they had endured.
As Germany’s Ambassador for Holocaust Remembrance and the Fight against Antisemitism, from 2018-2022, she led international efforts to strengthen Holocaust education and combat antisemitism. Most recently, posted in Chennai, India, as Consul General, she was particularly moved to see how well-informed people were about the Holocaust. One of her most memorable experiences was organizing a Holocaust Remembrance Day commemoration together with the Goethe Institut in which an Indian performer translated The Diary of Anne Frank into a South Indian dance performance. The event drew a full house.
Politicization of Holocaust memory
Michaela credits studying law with shaping her ability to evaluate facts in her professional life. At a time when Holocaust remembrance is being increasingly politicized, Michaela believes that the IHRA must continue to work to ensure that the facts of history are not trivialized, minimized, or misused.
“Holocaust Remembrance Day is a UN-mandated global commemoration day, agreed upon by 193 nations. Nothing should overshadow its significance, especially not political agendas.
But Holocaust remembrance extends beyond one day. It also encapsulates the collective responsibility to pass down the facts of history with care, empathy, and accuracy. As the number of survivors decreases, Michaela believes it is more urgent than ever to educate younger generations.
Michaela Küchler leading IHRA's virtual plenary meetings from Leipzig in 2020. Credit: Auswärtiges Amt
“Despite what you sometimes hear, young people today are interested in the topic of the Holocaust, and they possess a profound capacity for empathy. This can be shaped into a strong understanding of how years of discrimination and social indifference can escalate into genocide.”
Teaching young people to speak out against discrimination is key. Michaela reminds us that stopping genocide once it has begun is incredibly difficult. However, preventing discrimination at its root sometimes takes courage but is not impossible.
Over the years, Michaela’s diplomatic expertise and deep commitment to Holocaust remembrance have enabled her to make significant contributions to the IHRA’s mission. As Chair of the German IHRA Presidency in 2020, she guided the alliance through an unprecedented period, leading it through its first entirely virtual collaboration. Under her leadership, the IHRA secured the adoption of the working definition of antigypsyism/anti-Roma discrimination and established the Global Task Force Against Holocaust Distortion.
Strengthening the IHRA
Michaela’s diplomatic career has shown her the value of open dialogue and relationship building. As a negotiator for European Union enlargement, Michaela saw firsthand how dialogue and multilateral cooperation can lead to meaningful agreements.
As she steps into her role as the IHRA Secretary General, she remains steadfast in her belief that we must harness these values to strengthen the relationships between IHRA member countries, and between the political and expert levels. She aims to facilitate constructive discussions that will strengthen IHRA’s position as the global leader in Holocaust remembrance, education, and research in light of dramatically rising antisemitism.
We must support the growth of a strong and engaged IHRA community particularly at a time when Holocaust remembrance faces growing challenges”
Beyond policy and negotiations, Michaela is keen to strengthen the sense of community among IHRA Member Countries. Reflecting on her time at the IHRA as Head of Delegation and Chair, Michaela recalls her first plenary session, the gradual process of understanding the IHRA structure, and the relationships she built along the way.
“It is important to imagine what it is like for someone attending their first IHRA session and think about how we can help them navigate our network for the sake of our mission. We must support the growth of a strong and engaged IHRA community. Heads of Delegations and our experts are essential to our mission – particularly at a time when Holocaust remembrance faces growing challenges.”
By reinforcing IHRA’s role as a global leader in Holocaust remembrance, Michaela hopes to ensure that remembrance remains a powerful force against antisemitism, distortion, and denial—preserving the truth about the Holocaust in lasting ways.
Explore more resources on Holocaust remembrance
Remembrance connects the past and the present. The IHRA helps governments, organizations, and communities remember the victims and survivors in an appropriate way.
The IHRA commemorated the 80th European Holocaust Memorial Day for Roma and Sinti on 2 August 2024, honoring victims and promoting education against discrimination.
The IHRA concluded its Plenary meetings under the UK Presidency, held from 2 to 5 December 2024. With its theme “In Plain Sight,” the London Plenary reflected on the importance of Holocaust remembrance, education, and research in addressing contemporary challenges such as antisemitism, antigypsyism/anti-Roma discrimination, and Holocaust distortion.
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