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Monash partner in Australian launch of Visual History Archive

9 May 2007

University of Southern California Shoah Foundation Institute Executive Director and Professor of History Douglas Greenberg.

One of the largest visual history archives in the world is due to have its official Australian launch at Monash University.

The University of Southern California Shoah Foundation Institute Visual History Archive will be launched at the University on May 17.

Internationally acclaimed film maker Steven Spielberg will feature in a specially recorded video broadcast message as part of the launch.

In 1994, after Spielberg completed Schindler's List, he established the Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation to document the experience of survivors and other witnesses of the Holocaust.

With a collection of nearly 52,000 video testimonies collected in 32 languages from 56 countries, it is the largest archive of its type in the world.

The Institute's mission is to overcome prejudice, intolerance and bigotry -- and the suffering they cause -- though the educational use of the Institute's visual history testimonies.

It relies on partnerships in the United States and around the world to provide public access to the archive. Monash is a partner and the first Australasian university to provide access to the archive.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins said the University felt honoured to host the archive's launch.

"Monash takes great pride in its partnership with the USC Shoah Foundation Institute," Professor Larkins said.

"In addition to the valuable teaching and research opportunities within the University, Monash is able to use the archive to reach out into the Australian community."

Professor Andrew Markus, Academic Director of the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilization at the University, said the archive, which was being accessed by students and academics, was already making an impact on the University.

"The Visual History Archive represents one of the most important historical collections of the late 20th century," he said.

"Monash University's access to this archive is enabling a number of teaching and research initiatives, including a masters program in Holocaust and genocide studies. It will also supplement teaching in a range of courses and programs."

Professor of History and Institute Executive Director Douglas Greenberg from USC will be a guest speaker at the launch.

"The Institute conducted nearly 2500 interviews with survivors and other witnesses of the Holocaust in Australia," Professor Greenberg said.

"These testimonies, which include stories of life after the war, are part of Australia's history. We are thrilled to partner with Monash University to bring these, and all of the testimonies in the archive, to Australia."

Access to the Archive at Monash University is being funded by Ms Lee Liberman, of the LJCB group of companies, and the Pratt Family Foundation.

For further information, visit the Monash University Library website or the USC Shoah Foundation Institute website.

Event details:

When: Thursday 17 May
Time: 7.30 - 9.15pm
Where: Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University Clayton campus

For ticket bookings contact Elisha Warren on (03) 9902 0230 or rsvp@adm.monash.edu.au.