As the uncertainty of 2020 continues, two organizations are coming together to share a message of courage.
Translated in 70 languages and with over 30 million copies sold, Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl has inspired generations of youth. Her words are quoted alongside great human rights leaders like Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mahatma Gandhi. The Anne Frank Center USA works to preserve the legacy of the young diarist through education and arts programming.
While the story and legacy of Anne Frank are particularly relevant in this moment in history, several of the community-based partners that traditionally host traveling exhibitions and performances by the Anne Frank Center have had to temporarily postpone their in-person events until Americans can gather safely again.
Historically known for operating expert-led tours in global cultural capitals, Context Travel established Context Conversations earlier this year: scholar-led live, interactive seminars and courses.
“‘We’re so excited to partner with the Anne Frank Center USA to offer online seminars. No organization could be better aligned with Context’s mission to promote understanding and compassion amongst all people and across all cultures. We’re excited to play a small part in helping spread awareness of the life and legacy of Anne Frank” says Evan Frank, CEO of Context Travel.
Sharon Douglas, CEO of the Anne Frank Center, sees the virtual platform as a natural next step: “Millions around the world have been inspired by Anne Frank’s guiding influence, assuring us that even in times of isolation and uncertainty, there is strength in human connection and compassion. We are honored to deepen our partnerships with Context Travel and Gillian Walnes Perry as we navigate our own lives and find meaning amidst unimaginable circumstances.”
Anne Frank USA and Context Travel will be co-hosting events starting in July and August, which will include seminars for adults and children, and a multi-part course. The inaugural seminar will take place on July 24th at 3PM EST. Gillian Walnes Perry, Community Outreach Ambassador for the Anne Frank Center USA and founding director of the Anne Frank Trust UK,will present “Anne Frank Seminar with Gillian Perry.” During her time with the Anne Frank Trust, Gillian oversaw over 200 public exhibitions and a program that educated over 40,000 young people per year. In 2018, she published The Legacy of Anne Frank about the significant influence and empowering that the Anne Frank story has had on youth worldwide.
Context Travel
Context Travel has been delivering scholar-led cultural & historical tours since 2003. Earlier this year, Context launched Conversations – 90 minute live & interactive seminars led by PhD or Masters in their field. The company partners with over 1000 scholars and specialists throughout the world to deliver its in-depth online and offline experiences.
The Anne Frank Center USA
A group of Otto Frank’s friends joined together in the 1950s to raise funds to save the Anne Frank House from demolition and in 1977 formally established the nonprofit Anne Frank Center USA. Its staff and generous supporters have worked to advance Anne Frank’s legacy and her father’s vision for a more tolerant and respectful society across the United States.
Gillian Walnes
Perry Gillian Walnes Perry was the Co-founder and Executive Director of the Anne Frank Trust UK. The Trust was set up in 1990, along with family and friends of Mr Otto Frank. When Gillian retired in 2016 the Trust had a staff of 35, taking educational programs to combat prejudice and discrimination to schools, prisons and communities in all parts of the UK.
Gillian now lectures on the life and legacy of Anne Frank, as well as other social history topics, in the UK, the US and other parts of the world. She also acts as an ambassador and advisor to the Anne Frank Center USA. She has spoken at the United Nations in New York, 10 Downing Street and most recently the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock Arkansas. Her first book, ‘The Legacy of Anne Frank’ was published in 2018.
In 2010 Gillian was awarded an MBE (Membership of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) by Her Majesty The Queen for her work in education.
