in detail
The initiative for the Information Program on Contemporary History came in 1997 from Prime Minister Göran Persson and Thage G. Peterson. It was an immediate response to disturbing developments in Swedish society (racist murders in Klippan and Kungläv, the persecution of homosexuals, protests against the visits of Auschwitz-survivors in schools). February1998 saw publication of the book »Tell ye your children ...« by Paul A. Levine and Stéphane Bruchfeld, which dealt with educational transmission of the Holocaust. It was published in seven languages and in an edition of 1,1 million.
In 2000 the government set up a committee to work on the Information Program on Contemporary History. In December 2001 the Swedish Parliament decided to create a permanent organisation. On 1 June 2003 the Forum for Contemporary History finally opened. The goal of the institution is to encourage people to become actively involved in the discussions about democracy, tolerance and the equality of all people.
The work of the Forum for Contemporary History is supported as much by parliamentary parties as by popular Swedish associations, educational organizations, various institutions and student associations. The Forum also represents Sweden in the »Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Research and Remembrance«.
Stockholm, 2004, The Living History exterior, copyright ownership; the Living History Forum.
Stockholm, 2004, The Living History, interior, copyright ownership; the Living History Forum.
Stockholm, January 2005, Commemoration of the Holocaust's Day of Remembrance – for human worth and democracy January 27th,
Copyright ownership; The Living History Forum.