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SANTA CRUZ DE LA SIERRA, BOLIVIA
UNIVERSITY FORUMS - EDUCATING TO REMEMBER
October 2013
As part of the 23rd Science and Technology Fair held at Universidad Autonoma Gabriel Rene Moreno in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, from October 23 to 25, the Global Embassy of Activists for Peace presented the handbook The Holocaust: Paradigm of Genocide, written by Dr. William Soto, as a contribution to the teachings of the Holocaust as a case study in public and private universities across Latin America.
In this context, Dr. Camilo Montoya, Prosecutor of the Superior Tribunal of Bogota, Colombia, gave the lecture: “Political-Criminal Aspects of the Crime of Genocide.”
“And we have genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression. Let’s briefly differentiate genocide from a crime against humanity. Is genocide a crime against humanity? Genocide is an international crime, different from a crime against humanity.
A crime against humanity is the execution of a progressive, systematic, and methodic conduct, not against a group, but against the entire civilian population. Therefore, a crime against humanity won’t be committed in one act alone.…”
•••
Simultaneously, during the science fair, a photographic exhibition titled “The Holocaust, Paradigm of Genocide,” was displayed and students were able to learn about the tragic events that marked the darkest stage in the history of mankind.
“They were killed, buried alive and cremated in pits without a reason”
Student
“The Holocaust is something that happened in the history of mankind which is important for us and new generations, to remember, so that this event is not repeated.”
Student
“The level of barbarity that was reached should be made known, and it should never be repeated in the history of mankind again.”
Professor
“It was a complete massacre, a complete massacre which is very moving.”
Student
“I believe that acts like these should never happen in humanity, and should be condemned.”
Student
•••
—Waldo Lopez Aparicio, UARGM University Research Director—
“Because from the most horrific event in mankind, from something that should not be repeated, an investigation emerges, a handbook emerges, a work undertaken by Dr. William Soto, so that we may learn from something that should never be repeated.”
The handbook was presented by Vice Chancellor Dr. Oswaldo Ulloa Peña.
—Dr. Oswaldo Ulloa Peña, UARGM Vice Chancellor—
“The book begins with a question: ‘Where did the Holocaust originate?’ That is the question that every human being with principles and ethical and moral values would ask themselves when they learn about the atrocities that were committed during the period of Nazi dictatorship. And to that question, Dr. Soto Santiago responds: ‘In the mind of Hitler.’
In this introduction and in the rest of the book, the author shows us how education can be used not only to instruct and convey scientific knowledge for a collective good, but also that a misdirected education can cause devastation in our societies and, additionally, become the main cause of crimes against humanity.
Therefore, reiterating the author’s proposal, as an academic authority of our University, I want to motivate all faculty and University authorities to promote and motivate the incorporation of genocide and other topics into our plans of study at this higher education Institution in every way possible, giving all university students an education with values, and instilling in them love for their neighbors and respect for life as fundamental pillars of our society.
I am especially grateful to Dr. William Soto Santiago for the fantastic work he allows me to present tonight, and to the Global Embassy of Activists for Peace, which collaborated with the investigation and composition of such an important work. An investigation that tonight will help us relive the past, better the present, and sow a seed of peace for the future.”
Dr. William Soto expressed that his handbook focuses on the Holocaust as a historic reference that will allow us to deepen the strategies to prevent genocide, and reflect upon the importance of an education centered on values and principles that will allow society to implement actions in defense of human rights in order to counteract violence and intolerance, and respect the identity of groups, including minorities.
—Dr. William Soto Santiago, Global Ambassador of the Global Embassy of Activists for Peace—
“The handbook The Holocaust: Paradigm of Genocide, is an academic and pedagogical tool that will guide the professors and students of Universidad Autonoma Gabriel Rene Moreno, and other universities in Latin America to comply with the appeal made by the United Nations to transmit and teach the Holocaust, and implement the initiative of the Global Embassy of Activists for Peace, so that universities incorporate into their academic programs the study of the Holocaust as a case study from a historical, psychological, sociological, political and research perspective, allowing teachers and students to reflect on the nature of this international crime and its consequences for the human family, and in this way prevent the repetition of these types of acts.”