Sixth Former at Number 10 for PM’s Holocaust Commission
Charlotte Cohen, a Sixth Former from Queen Margaret’s in Escrick, York has been selected as one of only six finalists for the Prime Minister’s Holocaust Commission – Youth Competition. To get to this stage, Charlotte had to write an essay about the importance of remembering the Holocaust. Attracting over 800 applicants, the overall winner will be selected by Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel and invited to join the Holocaust Commission as its Youth Advisor.
As a finalist, Charlotte has already visited 10 Downing Street to attend a youth forum on 6 October focussed on ensuring that more is done to engage with the memory and legacy of the Holocaust. Ideas from the forum will be carried forward to the Holocaust Commission to assist in their future policy, especially where the engagement of youth is concerned.
Judges of Charlotte’s essay were fulsome in their praise of her work which was described in their citation as “thoughtful, informative and inspiring”.
Charlotte had this to say of the experience thus far:
I felt incredibly privileged to take part in the Youth Forum at Downing Street. If I had to take one idea from the whole Forum to communicate, it is the concept that Holocaust commemoration can be a positive experience, and that the lessons learnt don’t have to be terrifying or distressing, but hopeful and inspiring. We can use Holocaust commemoration to reflect on our own society and genuinely tackle problems that we see in it. I am really looking forward to National Holocaust Memorial Day in January, and hope that QM can play its part in it.
Acting Head Mrs Carole Cameron also commented:
Charlotte Cohen is an exceptional girl who always aims high and exceeds her expectations. We are very proud of her diligence and insightfulness in producing a winning essay and we look forward to hearing the final decision made by Elie Wiesel.