HOL0105

Supplementary written evidence from Andy Lawrence

I wonder if I may offer some further evidence to the Committee's inquiry as mentioned by Mr Carmichael at the conclusion to the hearing on 1 December.

Students at my school, along with those from other schools around the country, have asked more than 800 of their peers about their knowledge of genocide. I think that it would benefit the Committee to see the results which I attach. If you require any further details please do let me know.

Genocide awareness survey

800+ secondary school pupils (11-18) surveyed.

Can you define what the term genocide means?

Yes: 51%
No: 49%

Do you know what the Holocaust was?

Yes: 73%

No: 27%

Have any genocides happened since the Holocaust?

Yes: 42%

No: 41%

Not sure: 17%

If you think genocides have occurred since the Holocaust how many do you think have happened?

Between 1 and 5: 43%

Between 6 and 10: 22%

Between 11 and 14: 16%

Between 15 and 19: 6%

More than 20: 13%

Can you name any genocides and when they happened?

I can’t name any: 81%

Cambodia: 5%

Rwanda: 13%

Bosnia: 5%

Darfur: 2%

Others that were listed as genocide included: 9/11, IS in Syria today, Sierra Leone, Vietnam, Stalinist Purges, My Lai, 7/7, IRA

Only a very small percentage (less than 2%) were able to date any genocide correctly.

Do you think that you would benefit from more information about genocide?

Yes: 78%

No: 22%

How would you prefer to learn more about genocide?

Films: 70%

Lessons in school: 49%

Social media: 21%

Meeting a survivor: 64%

December 2015