Education Resources on Genocide and Mass Atrocities

“Genocide” is a very specific term, referring to violent crimes committed against groups with the intent to destroy the existence of the group. This resource explains where the word "genocide" comes from and the list of actions that define this crime.

This timeline notes the major conceptual and legal advances in the development of the term "genocide." It does not detail all cases which might be considered genocides.

This textbook explores research and policy questions at the heart of efforts to prevent genocide and mass atrocities. It is geared toward educators, students, practitioners, and policymakers seeking an introduction to key issues.

This lesson plan outlines the four types of mass atrocity crimes, features victim perspectives, and explains why preventing mass atrocities is important. Resources include a facilitator guide, slides, handout, and video.

By exploring the online exhibition Burma’s Path to Genocide, students learn how government policies and the spread of hate speech led to the genocide of the Rohingya.

These resources are designed to assist educators when teaching about the Burma’s Path to Genocide exhibition, including lesson plans, worksheets, and printable materials.

These case studies are areas of focus for the Simon-Skjodt Center. Resources include an overview of mass atrocities in each country, reports, and the Museum’s recent analysis.

These fact sheets briefly outline the current situation in each country, why the Museum is concerned, and what you can do. Fact sheets are available for Burma, Cameroon, China, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Ukraine.

In the Simon-Skjodt Center’s Preventing Genocide blog, find information about recent reports, recaps of events held by the Center, and more analysis from our staff and fellows.

Rohingya who survived mass atrocities grabbed whatever they could carry when they fled their homes in 2017. This narrative discusses what Rohingya took with them—and what they left behind.

Hear from Uyghurs—a Muslim minority group in China—whose family members have been abducted by the Chinese government and sent to forced labor camps, prisons, and other detention centers.

A gravedigger from Syria shares his story about the mass atrocities he witnessed the Syrian government commit against civilians and pleads with Americans to prevent further crimes and suffering.

Mansour Omari, a survivor of detention and torture in Syria, entrusted the Museum with evidence of mass atrocities committed by the Syrian government. Watch his testimony to learn more about these atrocity crimes in Syria.

Hear from individuals who experienced or witnessed the genocide in Darfur, Sudan and its impacts firsthand.

Hear from individuals who experienced or witnessed the genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina and its impacts firsthand.

Hear from individuals who experienced or witnessed the genocide in Rwanda and its impacts firsthand.

Our Early Warning Project uses state-of-the-art research methods to identify countries at risk for mass atrocities. Resources include our annual risk list, country-specific analysis, crowd-forecasting results, and our data and methodology.

While each genocide is unique, in most places where genocide occurs, there are common risk factors and warning signs. This resource outlines some of the most common factors.

This lesson plan outlines risk factors, warning signs, and triggers for mass atrocities. It also provides an introduction to the Holocaust through a mass atrocity prevention lens. Resources include a facilitator guide, slides, a handout, and a video.

This resource offers guidance on what communities affected by genocide and mass atrocities can do to advance justice efforts during and after these crimes.

This resource provides an overview of international criminal justice mechanisms since 1945.

This resource outlines common transitional justice tools, including resources on criminal prosecutions, truth seeking, reparations, and guarantees of nonrecurrence.

The world’s first conviction by an international court for the crime of genocide was issued on September 2, 1998. This resource provides an overview of the case.

This resource outlines the definition and development of incitement to genocide in international law, including how incitement and hate speech are different.

This lesson plan outlines key transitional justice tools, their benefits and potential drawbacks, and why pursuing accountability is important. Resources include a facilitator guide, slides, a handout, and a video.