Conference on Holodomor Education

May 10-12, 2013 – Toronto

A conference for educators on the Holodomor is taking place May 10-12, 2013 in Toronto. The aim of the conference, entitled The Holodomor and Curricula - Triumphs and Challenges, is to provide a forum to share accomplishments and challenges in achieving inclusion of the Holodomor in school curricula; present available curricula and resources; promote discussion of what is needed for success; and establish a plan of action.

The conference is organized by the Holodomor Research and Education Consortium (HREC) of CIUS, University of Alberta; National Holodomor Education Committee (NHEC), Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC); Ukrainian Canadian Research and Documentation Centre (UCRDC); and St. Vladimir Institute.

Topics to be addressed in the workshops and sessions include: promoting the teaching of the Holodomor in school curricula – triumphs and challenges; teaching methodologies and approaches; ideas for Holodomor Memorial Day; and new resources, including an introduction to the Holodomor Workbook & Teaching Kit developed by Valentina Kuryliw, who serves as Director of Education at HREC.

Dr. Roman Serbyn, Professor Emeritus of History, Universit du Qubec Montral, will give the keynote address: “The Genocide We Now Call the Holodomor.”

Mrs. Kuryliw said: “The Holodomor not only claimed millions of innocent lives but was ignored and denied for decades.  This conference and other activities planned for the 80th anniversary are important steps towards ensuring that this genocide is addressed in schools and curricula across North America. Through the efforts of the community, great progress has been made, but we have a way to go before the Holodomor becomes a household word and is widely understood.”

The conference is one of the first initiatives of the Holodomor Research and Education Consortium (HREC) of the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (University of Alberta), which was established through generous funding from the Temerty Family Foundation.

For more information, contact Marta Baziuk, Executive Director, HREC (Toronto Office): 416-923-4732; e-mail:hrec@ualberta.ca