International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1998 that unites governments and experts to strengthen, advance, and promote Holocaust education, remembrance, and research worldwide. With 35 member countries spanning Europe, North America, South America, and beyond, the IHRA serves as a leading international body in the global effort to confront Holocaust denial, prevent genocide, and combat antisemitism. The organization operates through a network of national delegations, academic experts, and educational professionals who work collaboratively to preserve Holocaust memory and apply its lessons to contemporary challenges.

The IHRA gained significant international recognition for developing the Working Definition of Antisemitism in 2016, a non-legally binding definition adopted by numerous governments, institutions, and organizations worldwide. This definition provides a practical framework for identifying and addressing contemporary manifestations of antisemitism, including those related to the State of Israel. The working definition has become a crucial tool for law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, and policymakers seeking to recognize and respond to antisemitic incidents in their various forms, from traditional hatred to modern expressions on social media and in political discourse.

Member countries of the IHRA commit to implementing policies and programs that promote Holocaust education in their national curricula, support Holocaust research and documentation, and facilitate international cooperation on remembrance initiatives. The organization holds annual plenary meetings where member states share best practices, adopt recommendations, and coordinate efforts to address emerging challenges in Holocaust remembrance and antisemitism prevention. Through its permanent office in Berlin, Germany, the IHRA coordinates activities, publishes educational resources, and maintains partnerships with major Holocaust memorial institutions and museums globally.

The IHRA's work extends beyond historical remembrance to address contemporary issues of genocide prevention, human rights protection, and the fight against hatred in all its forms. The organization emphasizes the universal lessons of the Holocaust while maintaining focus on the specific historical persecution and systematic murder of six million Jews during World War II. Through its various working groups and committees, the IHRA develops guidelines for teaching about the Holocaust, standards for memorial site preservation, and recommendations for combating distortion and denial of Holocaust history.

In recent years, the IHRA has expanded its focus to address digital-age challenges, including online Holocaust denial, social media antisemitism, and the spread of conspiracy theories. The organization works with technology companies, social media platforms, and digital educators to develop strategies for countering hate speech and misinformation about the Holocaust in online spaces. This contemporary approach ensures that Holocaust remembrance remains relevant and effective in educating new generations about the dangers of prejudice, discrimination, and totalitarianism.

The alliance also plays a crucial role in supporting survivor testimony projects, archival preservation efforts, and academic research into all aspects of the Holocaust. By facilitating international collaboration among historians, educators, and memorial institutions, the IHRA helps ensure that Holocaust history is accurately documented, responsibly taught, and meaningfully commemorated. The organization's work contributes to broader efforts to build societies that respect human dignity, reject hatred, and remain vigilant against the conditions that enable mass atrocities.