Combating antisemitism

Antisemitism — hostility and discrimination against Jews — has a long and disturbing history in Austria and has led to the almost complete destruction of Jewish life in the country during the Nazi era. Even today, antisemitism remains prevalent in Austria and across Europe. Recognizing its historical responsibility, the BMB implements various educational programmes to prevent antisemitism. These programmes are based on the ‘IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism’, which Austria co-developed and which was adopted by the IHRA Council of Ministers in 2017.

The new Austrian National Strategy Against Antisemitism 2.0 (NAS 2.0) reaffirms the federal government’s long-term commitment to combating antisemitism in the and promoting Jewish life in Austria. NAS 2.0, which covers the period from 2025 to 2030, builds on the original strategy introduced in 2021. Education continues to play a central role, with a focus on the training and continuing professional development for teachers, increased support for visits to memorial sites, expended prevention modules in schools and teacher training programmes, and expanded dialogue initiatives.

Links

Contact

Barbara Schrotter
Federal Ministry of Education
Head of Department of Bilateral international Affairs in Education; Teaching Worldwide;
Holocaust Education
Minoritenplatz 5
1010 Vienna
barbara.schrotter@bmb.gv.at

Anna Katharina Obenhuber
Federal Ministry of Education
Head of the Department of Basic Issues and Transferable Skills, School Partnerships and All-day Schools
Minoritenplatz 5
1010 Vienna
anna.obenhuber@bmb.gv.at