Toronto (October 20, 2017) - Friendsof Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) commends the publisherPearson Education for committing to pulling and revising one of itstextbooks due to offensive material. The textbook in question onnursing contained a unit on cultural differences in the management of painwhich relied on biased stereotypes about ethnic and religious groups includedthere. 

FSWC has been informed by the publisher in an apology for theinappropriate manner in which the information was presented that it has revisedthe online versions and future editions and has undertaken to seek ways torecall existing printed material.

“Whiletraining medical personnel to deal with cultural differences with sensitivityis important, the material was clearly presented in a most inappropriatemanner to the extent that it reinforced biased and even raciststereotypes," said Avi Benlolo, President and CEO of FSWC. "We look forward to working with this publisher toensure a greater understanding of diversity and inclusion within a Canadiancontext.” 

Through its advocacy initiatives and educational programs – such as Tour for Humanity, Freedom Day and the National Policy Conference on Holocaust Education – FSWC speaks out against all forms of hate and antisemitism, and it committed to promoting tolerance and acceptance in communities throughout Canada.

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To arrange an interview with Avi Benlolo, please contact:

Atara Cadesky 
Communications Associate 
416.864.9735 x 30 
acadesky@fswc.ca

Avital Borisovsky 
Communications Associate   
416.864.9735 x 29
aborisovsky@fswc.ca

Follow us on Twitter at @CanadianFSWC for latest news and organization updates.

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Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) is a top Jewish human rights foundation in Canada's organized Jewish community. It directly impacts over 100,000 people each year and 500,000+ peripherally. FSWC is committed to countering racism and antisemitism and to promoting the principles of tolerance, social justice and Canadian democratic values through advocacy and educational programs including workshops, Freedom Day, Spirit of Hope Benefit, Tools for Tolerance and the widely acclaimed Tour for Humanity. FSWC is affiliated with the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an international Jewish human rights organization headquartered in Los Angeles which has won two Academy Awards, has built two Museums of Tolerance (with a third being built in Jerusalem) and is an NGO at the United Nations, UNESCO, OAS, OSCE, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament. Visit us at www.fswc.ca.  

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