In the future, all schoolchildren in Saarland will be required to visit a memorial site or a former Nazi concentration camp. This is stipulated in a resolution motion passed jointly by the SPD and CDU in the state parliament.
“At a time when antisemitic, racist, and extremist tendencies are unfortunately on the rise, it is more important than ever to sensitise young people at an early stage,” the motion states. A “compulsory visit to a memorial site as an integral part of school education” is seen as a crucial step to “keep Germany’s historical responsibility for the Shoah alive and to provide young people with a deep understanding of the importance of democracy and tolerance.”
The state government should therefore implement “binding measures” to ensure that all schoolchildren visit such a memorial site at least once. This visit should be embedded in lessons with detailed preparation and follow-up.
The resolution highlights that since the terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, there has been a level of “hatred of Jews and Israel-related antisemitism in Germany not seen for decades.” This has been fuelled by “open and violent antisemitism in right-wing extremist and Islamist circles,” as well as increased “left-wing anti-imperialist antisemitism.” “This is deeply worrying,” the motion states.
Visiting a memorial site or former concentration camp offers “a unique opportunity to experience history emotionally and directly.” This could help students “understand the full extent of Germany’s historical responsibility.”
