Press releases, 25.5.2009

Holocaust Task Force representatives to visit Finland

Press release 144/2009
25 May, 2009

Ambassador Tom Vraalsen of Norway, Chair of the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance, and Research (ITF), and ITF Executive Secretary Kathrin Meyer will visit Finland on Tuesday 26 May. The visit is hosted by Under-Secretary of State Markus Lyra of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Finland joined the Holocaust Task Force as an observer member in summer 2008 and seeks to attain the next stage of membership at the Plenary session in summer 2009. Achievement of full membership of the ITF is a process with several steps and takes about two years. Finland’s membership of the intergovernmental ITF, which promotes research, education and remembrance on the Holocaust throughout the world, is part of Finland’s general human rights policy.

During the day in Helsinki, Holocaust Task Force Chair Vraalsen and Executive Secretary Meyer will meet with representatives of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, education authorities and other Finnish Holocaust actors. The delegation will also visit, among others, the memorial to the eight Jewish refugees surrendered to Germany, the Jewish Cemetery of Helsinki and the Synagogue of the Helsinki Jewish Community.

Additional information: Counsellor of Foreign Affairs Kari Kahiluoto, mobile tel. +358 40 481 9843 and tel. +358 9 1605 5172, e-mail [email protected]



 
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