Addressing Antisemitism through Education in the Visegrad Group Countries. A Mapping Report

Education in the face of antisemitism in central Europe – between politics and responsibility

Education has the potential to transform societies – but only when it responds to real challenges. In Central Europe, one of these challenges is the growing tension between human rights values and political narratives in which antisemitism, xenophobia, and Islamophobia are sometimes used as tools of social mobilization. This report was created to better understand how education on antisemitism functions in this context, and which approaches can be effective. Prepared by the Jewish Association Czulent, it serves as a resource for public institutions, civil society organizations, and educational communities seeking to develop responsible and effective education policies in the region.

This publication is grounded in the experience of Central Europe.

The analysis covers the countries of the Visegrad Group – Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary – a region with a shared yet complex history, where the memory of the Holocaust, political transformation, and contemporary political tensions create a unique context for education. We show that solutions developed at the European level require adaptation to local realities – cultural, historical, and social.

That is why we operate both locally and internationally. At the Czulent Association, we combine regional experience with work at the European and global levels. We collaborate with institutions such as the European Commission, the Council of Europe (CoE), and ODIHR/OSCE, bringing a Central and Eastern European perspective to these partnerships. As a result, recommendations and solutions developed at the international level can be better tailored to the realities of our region—rather than remaining universal models that are difficult to implement.

The report shows where we stand – and what is missing. We analyze both public policies and specific educational activities undertaken by governments, non-governmental organizations, and educational institutions. We examine whether cooperation between these entities actually exists—and whether it translates into effective efforts to counter antisemitism.

An important element is the voices of practitioners. The report is based not only on the analysis of documents and policies but also on interviews with experts, educators, and representatives of organizations and Jewish communities. These perspectives allow us to see how education works in practice—within schools, curricula, and local initiatives.

Education is not neutral – and this report makes that clear.

In a region where history is part of current politics and narratives of identity are often used as tools of conflict, education becomes a field of tension. We show how antisemitism can be normalized or instrumentalized – but also how it can be countered through consciously designed educational initiatives.

At Czulent, we work on systemic solutions.

Our goal is not only diagnosis, but real change – from the level of schools, through public policies, to international cooperation. We develop recommendations that take into account the specific characteristics of the region and can be implemented both locally and at the European level. This publication is part of that work. It shows that effective education on antisemitism in Central Europe requires not only knowledge, but also an understanding of context – and cooperation across borders.

This publication was made possible through the financial support of the German Federal Foreign Office. The views, opinions, and positions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of KIgA e.V., the Federal Foreign Office, ENCATE member organizations, or other partners.