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Toronto (January 30, 2025) - Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) is thrilled to be the recipient of $435,000 in federal government funding, over five years, for our new nationwide educational initiative, Empowering Change: Holocaust Education for a New Generation, to be launched this spring.

The funding was announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, as part of a broader commitment of $3.4 million to strengthen Holocaust education and awareness efforts in Canada and abroad.

The initiative will equip 60 Canadian educators — one from each province and territory — with the necessary knowledge and skills for effective teaching about the Holocaust, creating a national network of dedicated educators. Available in English and French, the program will feature both in-person training and virtual components to accommodate participants across Canada.

As part of the program, participants will design and host a student Holocaust education conference in their respective home province or territory, creating a localized educational experience. These conferences will serve as powerful platforms for students to engage with Holocaust history, promoting empathy and a greater understanding of social responsibility.

"As the number of Holocaust survivors is quickly diminishing, this initiative addresses a critical need in Canada to preserve their testimonies and ensure that the vital lessons from this tragic chapter in history are never lost," said FSWC President and CEO Michael Levitt. "It will empower educators to teach not only about the events of the Holocaust but also about the underlying causes — and, most importantly, how we can help prevent such atrocities from happening again."

FSWC is appreciative of the government for its support of Holocaust education and will provide updates to the community as we prepare to launch this important program in the coming months.

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