International Congress for Victims of Terrorism Nice, France November 2019
From November 21-23, 2019, the VIIIth International Congress for Victims of Terrorism took place in Nice, France, co-organised by Strength to Strength partner, French Association of Victims of Terrorism (AfVT) and the City of Nice, in partnership with mainly the RAN (Radicalisation Awareness Network) Remembrance of Victims of Terrorism Working Group (RAN RVT). Two of the Working Group’s core objectives have been addressed here: remembrance of victims of terrorism as well as the role of victims in the prevention of radicalisation and violent extremism.
The goal of the Congress is to make the voice of the victims heard. The Congress was an opportunity for victims and experts from around the world to meet and make propositions to help victims of terrorism around the world make their voices heard and express their opinions to civil society, public authorities, institutions and media; raise awareness of national, local, and international public authorities to the cause and needs of victims of terrorism in the immediate and long-term; and develop local, national and international networks of victims of terrorism and enable them to share their experiences. 450 victims of terrorism from 80 countries, civil society organizations and politicians, representatives of different institutions, international experts and journalists were in attendance.
Topics of relevance for victims of terrorism that were addressed included the role of states and local authorities, the evolution of the terrorist threat, specific accompaniment for children and support for first responders after a terrorist attack. The Congress also provided space for victims’ testimonies, artistic moments and a ceremonial act.
Strength to Strength was honored to have a group of our members attend the Congress and connect with victims from all over the world. Liem Levi, Strength to Strength Young Ambassadors Program (YAP) participant and staff member, joined from Israel and participated on a youth panel discussing the long-term impact for young people impacted by terrorism. Liem’s brother Avihai, age 17, was murdered by terrorists on June 24, 2005. A year later she was with her family when they survived an attack themselves. Liem spoke of the importance of peer support for young people and connecting with others her age that had been directly impacted by terrorism from around the world.
While it was difficult hearing the personal accounts and stories of so many victims from around the world, it was also an empowering time to show that good will always triumph over evil and we will work together to make sure that all victims will have a voice and be heard no matter where they are in the world.
