A Human Rights Tour of Rome
Location
Poster #4
Start Date
1-5-2026 10:00 AM
Department
Social Work
Abstract
In this presentation, I will critically reflect on the Jewish Ghetto of Rome and the World War II Liberation Museum. From my participation in tours of these sites, I will provide a reflective perspective on the lived experiences of Jewish communities who were victims of systemic fascist policies, forced segregation, family disruption, and violence under the Nazi regime. The Jewish Ghetto, originally established in the sixteenth century and later intensified during World War II, demonstrates how confinement and restriction were used as tools of control. The Liberation Museum, housed in a former prison used by occupying forces, documents the detention, torture, and resistance of political prisoners and civilians, highlighting severe violations of human rights and human dignity. Using images that I captured during my tour of Rome in a reflective approach, this presentation connects historical human rights violations to contemporary discussions of ethnic identity, authoritarian oppression, and collective memory. The analysis emphasizes how physical landmarks and historic places bear witness to humanity’s capacity for injustice, while also serving as spaces that encourage remembrance and the prevention of future atrocities. Historical awareness remains important in strengthening protections for global human rights and confronting modern forms of discrimination and exclusion. Ultimately, this presentation asserts that preserving and studying such sites is essential not only for honoring victims but also for fostering a global commitment to human dignity, self-determination, accountability, and the protection of vulnerable populations.
Faculty Sponsor
Rachel Birmingham
Faculty Sponsor
Amanda Dykema-Engblade
A Human Rights Tour of Rome
Poster #4
In this presentation, I will critically reflect on the Jewish Ghetto of Rome and the World War II Liberation Museum. From my participation in tours of these sites, I will provide a reflective perspective on the lived experiences of Jewish communities who were victims of systemic fascist policies, forced segregation, family disruption, and violence under the Nazi regime. The Jewish Ghetto, originally established in the sixteenth century and later intensified during World War II, demonstrates how confinement and restriction were used as tools of control. The Liberation Museum, housed in a former prison used by occupying forces, documents the detention, torture, and resistance of political prisoners and civilians, highlighting severe violations of human rights and human dignity. Using images that I captured during my tour of Rome in a reflective approach, this presentation connects historical human rights violations to contemporary discussions of ethnic identity, authoritarian oppression, and collective memory. The analysis emphasizes how physical landmarks and historic places bear witness to humanity’s capacity for injustice, while also serving as spaces that encourage remembrance and the prevention of future atrocities. Historical awareness remains important in strengthening protections for global human rights and confronting modern forms of discrimination and exclusion. Ultimately, this presentation asserts that preserving and studying such sites is essential not only for honoring victims but also for fostering a global commitment to human dignity, self-determination, accountability, and the protection of vulnerable populations.