Canberra parents can share a rewarding experience with their children at Courage to Care , a moving exhibition advocating the importance of tolerance and understanding of minority groups in our multicultural society.

The travelling exhibition developed by the B'nai B'rith Jewish Service organisation will be opened at the National Archives of Australia by Australian of the Year, Dr Fiona Wood, on Wednesday 17 August at 5.45 pm.

Courage to Care is more than an exhibition. It comprises three parts – the exhibition which focuses on the stories of people who rescued Jews during the Holocaust; an encounter with a Holocaust survivor telling their story firsthand; and a Living in Harmony workshop where the themes of the exhibition are applied to today's circumstances.

The exhibition is aimed primarily at students from years 5 to 12, and the accompanying educational program is offered free of charge to school groups.

For students, hearing the stories from holocaust survivors who owe their lives to the courageous actions of others can have a lasting impact.

The Living in Harmony workshop is also important to young visitors, enabling them to explore the relevance of Courage to Care principles in their own lives, sometimes beset with bullying and racism.

The overriding message in Courage to Care is one of communal tolerance in 21 st century Australia. By drawing on the Holocaust experience 65 years ago, the exhibition shows that in today's world of conflict and inequality, we still need to stand up to discrimination and persecution, a decision that can often take considerable bravery.

The exhibition will remain at the National Archives on Queen Victoria Terrace until Sunday 25 September.