Museum Names First Tom A. Bernstein Genocide Prevention Fellow

May 10, 2018

FORMER AMBASSADOR TODD F. BUCHWALD NAMED U.S. HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM SIMON-SKJODT CENTER FOR THE PREVENTION OF GENOCIDE’S FIRST TOM A. BERNSTEIN GENOCIDE PREVENTION FELLOW

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is pleased to announce the appointment of Todd F. Buchwald, former US Ambassador and Special Coordinator for the Department of State’s Office of Global Criminal Justice, as the inaugural Tom A. Bernstein Genocide Prevention Fellow at the Museum’s Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide. During his appointment, from April 16, 2018 to January 31, 2019, Ambassador Buchwald will conduct research and produce a report exploring how the US government has applied the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (the Genocide Convention) in past cases and ways our government can make better use of this tool in deterring future crimes and aiding victims of genocide. This report, whose publication will coincide with the 70th anniversary in December 2018 of the United Nations’ adoption of the Genocide Convention, will provide ways to strengthen the US Government’s response to genocide and mass atrocities. Working with partner organizations, Ambassador Buchwald’s work will also deepen our understanding of the links between law, justice, and the prevention of genocide and mass atrocities.

The Tom A. Bernstein Genocide Prevention Fellowship was established to honor the long-standing commitment of Tom A. Bernstein, Chairman Emeritus of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Memorial Council, to preventing genocide and mass atrocities. The Fellowship’s aim is to bridge the gap among academics, government officials, and NGOs in the pursuit of atrocity prevention by soliciting policy-relevant research from distinguished practitioners working on the frontlines of preventing and responding to these crimes.

“We are thrilled to have Ambassador Buchwald serve as our inaugural Tom A. Bernstein Fellow, said Cameron Hudson, the Director of the Museum’s Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide.  “Our hope is that through this Fellowship, Ambassador Buchwald and other senior practitioners will be able to reflect on their important experiences in preventing and responding to the crime of genocide for the benefit of our field and future practitioners.”

Prior to serving as head of the Office of Global Criminal Justice, a position he held from December 2015 to July 2017, Ambassador Buchwald served as Assistant Legal Adviser for the US government for over two decades on a range of issues including United Nations Affairs, Political-Military Affairs, and European and Canadian Affairs.

About the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. The Museum’s Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide works to make the prevention of genocide and related crimes against humanity a national and international priority. Its far-reaching educational programs and global impact are made possible by generous donors. For more information, visit ushmm.org.

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