Inspiring Leaders Unique Museum Programs Reinforce Professional Responsibility

Since 1998, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has developed educational programs targeting adult audiences. Engaging public service professionals-those charged with serving and protecting our nation's democratic principles-has become a core outreach strategy to achieve the Museum's mission. This article describes the Museum's process for creating and facilitating successful programs-identifying partners, conducting audience research, incorporating adult learning approaches, and building authentic educational models that encourage participants to grapple with complex and difficult issues of professional responsibility. The programs aim to make the Museum a place of relevance, helping participants to identify with the history and reinforcing their commitment to safeguarding our democracy. Through this outreach, the Museum has built a community of new stakeholders who are helping it to achieve its institutional vision: inspiring citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity.