Between May 17 and June 18, 2021, the Kantonsschule Hottingen in Zurich hosted conversations between students and activists at the invitation of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Foundation.
The students, aged 15 to 18, had the opportunity to visit the Foundation's exhibition of portraits by renowned photographer Eddie Adams. Portraits of well-known personalities, defenders of human rights in different countries and regions of the world. In addition, the teachers, together with the Foundation, organized visits of activists to present themselves to the classes and discuss with them. The goal of these talks is to learn about and understand the work of activists who have dedicated their lives to protecting other people or societies from injustice. Some of these conversations took place in person, while others were adapted online.
Foundation staff were honored to witness the conversation with Mr. Löb of the Gamaraal Foundation. Mr. Löb is over 95 years old, and although his body seems weak, his personality is strong and his message clear: we must avoid situations similar to those that triggered the Holocaust; we must protect democratic values and not fall into populist and extreme temptations. The coexistence of cultures, religions and origins makes us stronger and freer.
Mr. Löb was 11 years old when the persecution of Jews reached Hungary and Romania. In March 1944, the Germans invaded Hungary, which led to a worsening of the situation for the Jews. Mr. Löb recounted his memories of the first ghetto in Hungary, of being transported by train and arriving in a concentration camp, memories that even today seem inhumane, impossible and unreal. The students were silent and full of awe. Some even had tears in their eyes.
The students had the unforgettable opportunity to exchange with the following activists: Marie-Claire Graf, a Swiss woman working for sustainable development and climate protection; Mr. Löb from Gamaraal Foundation, with his touching personal story as a Holocaust survivor; the tireless work of Kailash Satyarthi Foundation on the personal stories of some boys rescued from slavery; Marina Pisklakova and her courageous work to protect women in Russia from domestic violence; Yann Lenggenhager, Swiss teacher and expert in human rights education; Mary Mayenfisch, an Irish-born lawyer with extensive experience in business and human rights; and Dominic Pugatsch, expert in preventing racism and anti-Semitism.