A conversation spanning three generations of UNESCO Directors-General
Center for Jewish Impact Chairman Robert Singer met with UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany, the first Director-General from an Arab country, to discuss key issues concerning Israel and Jewish communities around the world, including Holocaust education and the fight against antisemitism.
The meeting continued a conversation that has spanned three UNESCO Directors-General and three different chapters of Singer’s career as CEO of World ORT, CEO of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), and now as Chairman of the Center for Jewish Impact.
In 2017, while serving as CEO of WJC, Singer signed an agreement with then UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova to develop a global Holocaust education initiative for young people. The cooperation continued under Audrey Azoulay, with UNESCO expanding educational resources and programs in this field.
In his recent meeting with El-Enany, Singer received his assurance that this work will remain high on UNESCO’s agenda. The conversation focused on preserving what has already been built while taking it further, particularly by bringing existing curricula and educational resources to new countries and languages.
Education remains one of the most important tools in confronting antisemitism and preserving Holocaust memory. UNESCO’s global reach gives it a unique role in that effort. The work built over the years must be protected, but preserving it is not enough. The next step is to expand its reach, bringing these resources into more countries, classrooms and education systems around the world.