More than half a century has passed since the Holocaust, but intolerance and discrimination are still present in public life.

The Auschwitz Jewish Centers new educational program for high school teachers and students, Why do We Need Tolerance?, is an important step towards making a difference in reducing the role of hate and intolerance in our society.

Students from two provinces of Poland, the Małopolska and Śląsk, attend antidiscrimination workshops after their visits to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and Memorial. Why Do We Need Tolerance? participants discuss the dangerous consequences of discrimination using case studies from modern life as a model.

In addition, 25 students from the Oświęcim area participate in a special training called Pioneers of Tolerance which includes a series of discussions with representative of various minority communities in Poland:

All students who have taken part in the workshop are invited to participate in an essay competition on the themes of the Why Do We Need Tolerance? program.

Professional seminars for high school teachers include workshops with leading experts in the field of antidiscrimination education. Participating teachers are involved in an in-depth study of the mechanisms behind stereotypes and prejudice, as well as effective methods of teaching tolerance in the classroom.

This program is produced in partnership with the Roma Association of Poland.

The Minister of National Education of the Republic of Poland has granted patronage for Why Do We Need Tolerance? program.

Financial support provided by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area, the Norwegian Financial Mechanism, and through the Fund for Non-Governmental Organisations from the budget of the Republic of Poland.

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