Pupils devised a series of powerful posters to warn of the dangers of persecution, reports DAVID WHETSTONE
YOUNG people in Newcastle have been working on a photography project to remind us that the Holocaust still has relevance today.
The national theme of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) and the events surrounding it is Speak Up, Speak Out.
An explanatory statement from the HMD Trust stresses the fundamental human right to freedom of speech and the dangers which arise when it is taken away.
It recalls the Nazi atrocities which began when people were stripped of their right to speak up, live in their own home, work, own a radio, attend school or keep their own name.
Jews, Gypsies and other groups were persecuted and murdered.
The statement adds: “Time and again, in genocides in Rwanda, Armenia, Bosnia and Darfur, people have had their voices taken away.”
It warns that many have chosen to stand “idly by” and not to speak out against persecution and discrimination.
“None of us know what we would do if we were faced with a life- threatening decision but we can hope that we will do what is right.
“Today we can choose not to be a bystander. We can use the inspiration of those who have spoken up to help others in the past as our motivation to speak out today.
“We can all learn to use our voices to protect the human rights of all.”
The Speak Up, Speak Out theme inspired Year Nine students from All Saints College in West Denton and Sacred Heart RC High School in Fenham, both Newcastle, who worked on the Holocaust Memorial Day photography project.
It was organised by the learning development team at the Newcastle City Learning Centre on the West Road.
Project coordinator Martin Ashburn said students had been challenged to come up with a poster illustrating the thinking behind the Holocaust Memorial Day theme.
“The idea was for them to show how the issues raised could apply to life in their own streets and homes rather than just globally.
“We were impressed by their ideas which included a wide range of issues such as bullying, physical abuse and the environment.”
Students who submitted the best ideas were invited to the City Learning Centre over two sessions to work with photographer Lindsay Duncanson and digital artist Darren Neil.
The resulting posters are to be displayed at Newcastle Civic Centre in time for tomorrow afternoon’s HMD programme of events which includes contributions from young people across the city and personal testimonies.
But it seems they will also have a use beyond that.
Martin Ashburn said: “The images will become an excellent resource to be used by schools across the city in their future HMD projects.”
Sarah Lobley, head of art at Sacred Heart, said: “This has been an amazing experience for the Sacred Heart pupils to be involved with.
“The students have gained a lot from working alongside media professionals to develop their personal responses in honour of Holocaust Memorial Day and the images produced are really powerful.”
