27 January is the day for everyone to remember the millions of people killed in the Holocaust, Nazi Persecution and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. 27 January marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.

On HMD we can honour the survivors of these regimes of hatred and challenge ourselves to use the lessons of their experience to inform our lives today.
HMD is a time when we seek to learn the lessons of the past and to recognise that genocide does not just take place on its own, it’s a steady process which can begin if discrimination, racism and hatred are not checked and prevented. We’re fortunate here in the UK; we are not at risk of genocide. However, discrimination has not ended, nor has the use of the language of hatred or exclusion. There is still much to do to create a safer future and HMD is an opportunity to start this process.

Theme: Keep the Memory Alive

Rules:
Pupils must be in S1- S3 at St.Ninian’s High School

All work must be original. Any examples of plagiarised work will result in automatic exclusion from the competition.

Characters must be fictional and based loosely on real events. The tone of the work must be sympathetic to the sensitive nature of the topic. The piece must also be, where applicable, historically accurate.

The work for this year should be in the format of a letter.
This can be to a newspaper to a friend, to a loved one or from a witness.
Letters can be formal or informal or even postcards. Maximum length 800 words

The closing date for all entries is 4pm Friday 12th Dec 2014 and the winners will be announced on Monday 5th January 2015.

All entries must be in an electronic format and created in word or publisher.

Entries should be sent to bairdd@st-ninians.e-renfrew.sch.uk

One entry per pupil.

Inspiration can be taken from www.hmd.org.uk/

The judges decision is final.