The Governor’s Council for Genocide and Holocaust Education was created under Public Act (PA) 170 of 2016 as a temporary commission under the Michigan Constitution, and signed into law by the Governor on June 13, 2016.
CREATION OF THE GOVERNOR’s COUNCIL
The first meeting of the Council was called by the Governor on April 5, 2017. The Council was required to identify and advise stakeholders of sources and strategies for providing genocide education to students; identify and advise stakeholders of programs and resources to train teachers and to promote, within schools and the general population, implementation of genocide education. The council was designed to expire in two years and the last meeting was held on August 23, 2018. This website and the lesson plans are the product of the work of the council.
THE PURPOSE
The purpose of Holocaust and genocide education is far greater than teaching about these events as part of history. The lasting effects of lessons of genocide and the Holocaust lead children, and young adults to understand a continuum of acts of injustice, from bullying to the tragic world events of genocide. By studying the roots of genocide and the choices made by people in response to genocide, it is intended that students will develop a sense of morality, personal responsibility and empathy for others, so they will become more engaged, kinder citizens.
“Teaching the students of Michigan about genocide is important because we should remember and learn about these terrible events in our past while continuing to work toward creating a more tolerant society.”