Education, Memory, and the Making of an Inclusive Society

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

How do societies decide what—and who—they remember? 
And how can education confront painful histories while building a more 
inclusive future? Dr. Michal Vanek brings international expertise in heritage preservation, 
museum studies, and public history to this timely lecture.


Trained in UNESCO World Heritage Studies and holding a PhD in Museum 
Studies, Dr. Vanek has worked at the forefront of cultural memory—from 
UNESCO World Heritage nominations to directing one of Central Europe’s 
leading Jewish museums. 


In this lecture, Dr. Vanek explores: 
• Education as the foundation of tolerance and inclusion 
• Museums as active spaces for dialogue, ethics, and democracy 
• Confronting difficult national histories and historical trauma 
• Presenting minorities not as footnotes, but as central to shared society 
This talk offers powerful insights into how museums—and educators—can 
shape how societies remember, reckon, and live together. 

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ED 305


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Events at UCF

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Speaker/Lecture/Seminar

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Judaic Studies Speaker