Mission
The OHRC is a not-for-profit, non-denominational educational organization dedicated to communicating the lessons of the Holocaust to students, teachers, and the general public in Oregon and southwest Washington, in fulfillment of the testament left by the victims to the survivors: to remember, to record, to explain, and to enlighten future generations.
OHRC is located on the campus of Pacific University in Forest Grove , Oregon , where it is one of a cluster of programs designed to increase understanding of intolerance and violence in society and the individual.
Goals
To preserve and transmit the historical record of the undeniable fact of the Holocaust.
To sensitize and to humanize through understanding the roots of violence, cruelty, racial and religious prejudice.
To help students develop the capacity for moral decision-making and the ability to relate the lessons of the Holocaust to their own lives and communities.
To increase understanding of how democratic institutions may be subverted and human rights undermined.
To
establish that the ethical and moral implications of the Holocaust involve
the entire human community.
History
OHRC was created in 1983 by a group of interested members of the ecumenical community, a group who had been recording oral histories, academics, and those interested in furthering diversity and tolerance education. Since the initial chartering of the Center, the above mission and goals have provided the framework for all the programs and activities OHRC has undertaken.
Today, OHRC's main focus is to tell the story of the Holocaust from the crucial perspective of the survivors, refugees, and liberators, primarily to "teach the teachers" the many important lessons that come to us from this event. OHRC is especially supportive of efforts to enhance students' awareness of the value of diversity and tolerance for all.
You can learn more about OHRC here.