“Evian 1938 – When the world betrayed the Jews” – with Dr. Jochen Thies

In July 1938, representatives of 32 nations and 24 aid organizations came together at the initiative of US President Franklin D. Roosevelt to negotiate the admission of 500.000 German citizens of the Jewish faith at the Evian Conference. The conference ended largely without result, so that in a few days the fate of thousands of people was sealed. No country opened its borders; many states relied on the statement that their country was experiencing excessive unemployment.

In “Evian 1938 – When the world betrayed the Jews”, Jochen Thies reports comprehensively on the conference and for the first time evaluates the conference documents for the German-speaking world. Insights into the different perspectives of participating nations, the accompaniment of a Jewish family in their emigration and the reaction of the Nazi regime are linked in an overall picture, which does not spared today’s refugee debate.

What are the parallels to today’s situation in which so many people are on the run worldwide as never before since the Second World War? Is the world of the present able to grasp the lesson of the ten days of Evian and realize it into practical action? We discussed these and other questions with you and Jochen Thies.

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