Medical Review Auschwitz – International Conference in Kraków
The international conference “Medical Review Auschwitz: Medicine Behind the Barbed Wire” will take place from October 6-8, 2026 in Kraków, and registration is now open. The Finkelstein Foundation continues to support the event as a funding partner.
The conference aims to bring together current research on medical crimes during National Socialism and to examine their relevance for contemporary ethical questions in medicine and healthcare. It provides a space for exchange between international experts and young medical professionals, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue.
As part of the programme, a joint visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is planned. Particular focus is placed on sites connected to medical experiments on prisoners. The programme also includes engagement with artistic forms of remembrance, such as the exhibition “Negatives of Memory” by Marian Kołodziej.
The conference programme features contributions from the fields of medicine, history, law, and bioethics. Discussions address both specific historical findings and their implications for present-day medical ethics. Testimonies from contemporary witnesses and personal perspectives are intentionally included.
During the conference, the Zdzisław Jan Ryn Award will be presented for an outstanding lecture. In addition, a fellowship programme enables young medical professionals to actively participate and engage in international exchange.
The conference presentations will be made available online afterwards.
By supporting the conference and the further development of its digital presence, the Finkelstein Foundation contributes to strengthening engagement with medical ethics, historical responsibility, and the challenges of professional conduct in medicine within a broader societal context.
