About the Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide

About the Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide

The US Holocaust Memorial Museum is a nonpartisan, independent establishment of the US government. It teaches that the Holocaust was preventable and that by heeding warning signs and taking early action, individuals and governments can save lives. With this knowledge, the Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide works to do for the victims of genocide today what the world failed to do for the Jews of Europe in the 1930s and 1940s.

The mandate of the Simon-Skjodt Center is to work on situations where there is a lack of policy and public attention to alert the United States’ national conscience, influence policy makers, and stimulate worldwide action to prevent and work to halt acts of genocide or related crimes against humanity, and advance justice and accountability.

Our Approach

The Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide uses a multi-pronged program of research, policy engagement, training and education, outreach, and coalition building. We focus on disrupting mass violence at every stage through three strategic approaches:

• Prevention tools and practices. Identifying ways in which governments and institutions can intervene at the early warning signs of potential violence, and calling for action before mass atrocities begin.

• Crisis response. Mobilizing lawmakers and foreign policy leaders to take action to save lives when violence explodes.

• Justice and accountability. Promote justice and accountability efforts for victim and survivor communities in situations where there is a history of mass atrocities, ongoing mass atrocities, or a high risk of future violence.