Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will lead Canada’s delegation to an international conference being held in Sweden on Holocaust remembrance and combating antisemitism.
The day-long Malmö International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism takes place in Malmö, Sweden on Oct. 13.
Trudeau will attend virtually, and will be joined by former Canadian foreign minister Stephane Dion, Special Envoy to the European Union and Europe and Canada’s Ambassador to Germany, and by former justice minister Irwin Cotler, Canada’s Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism.
Heads of state or government from some 50 countries, researchers, experts, representatives of civil society and social media companies have been invited to the Malmö Forum.
The gathering’s aim is “to jointly take concrete steps forward in the work on Holocaust remembrance and the fight against antisemitism,” says a statement from organizers.
The program will focus on four main themes: Holocaust remembrance, Holocaust education, antisemitism on social media, and combating antisemitism and other forms of racism “in all spheres of life.”
Last week, B’nai Brith Canada called on Trudeau to attend the conference and lead the Canadian delegation.
Canada’s participation at the conference, headed by Trudeau, “sends a strong signal that there is no place for antisemitism in our country,” said Michael Mostyn, CEO of B’nai Brith. “We are delighted that the recommendations that B’nai Brith made last week, including the need for a high-level delegation to show Canada’s credibility in the fight against hate and Holocaust denial, has been accepted by the government.”
B’nai Brith also wrote to Foreign Minister Marc Garneau asking Canada to enhance resources available to Cotler to include a budget and staff; that Canada introduce legislation to attack online hate; for “substantial” funding to promote education about antisemitism in Canada; and to support organizations that actively promote tolerance and cooperation.
The CJN is following developments and will report on any statements from the Canadian delegation.