Virtual Commemoration
20 August, 2021
9:00 am - 11:00 am EDT
The fourth commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism occurs during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic continues to have an impact on victims of terrorism: diverting resources, limiting efforts to uphold their rights and support their needs and denying much needed social and emotional contact.
The theme of this year’s International Day is “Connections,” for at the individual level, victims have had to find creative ways to stay connected while being isolated from each other, from their families, friends and communities. At the national and regional level, Member States have shared good practices to continue supporting victims. At the international level, the international community connects with victims by standing in solidarity, honouring those who have lost their lives, and paying tribute to those who continue to live with the consequences of terrorism.
An online high-level event: ‘Surviving Terrorism: The Power of Connections’, will be held with the participation of the United Nations Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres, the Under-Secretary-General of UNOCT, the co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism and victims themselves to speak about the importance of Connections.
A short film “Surviving Terrorism: The Power of Connections” produced by the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) will be launched, featuring testimonies of victims and survivors of terrorism from across the world and ending with a collective ode on connections.
This will be followed by an interactive discussion with victims, victims’ associations, and experts to discuss the importance of connections, how the pandemic has impacted the ability of victims to connect, and ways to strengthen the international community’s commemoration of and support to victims of terrorism.
This virtual event is organised by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism/the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre, in collaboration with the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism.
Click here to download the Invitation.
Watch the recorded event here with audio in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
UN Secretary-General Message
Click here to view the UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ Message on the fourth commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
Statements
View statements from the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism webinar as delivered by the United Nations Secretary-General, the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office for Counter-Terrorism, Member State representatives and victims of terrorism.
FILM: Surviving Terrorism: The Power of Connections
Click here to watch the film featuring victims of terrorism from Cameroon, Canada, Iraq, Morocco, Norway, Pakistan, Spain and Uganda talking about their experiences as survivors of terrorist attacks and the power of connections in their lives.
Ode to Connections
Read an Ode on the power of connections put together by victims of terrorism from Afghanistan, Australia, Cameroon, Canada, Iraq, Morocco, Norway, Pakistan, Spain and Uganda.
Social Media Guidance Note
Read the guidance note which contains information on the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, including background information on the commemoration, event programme, key messages on the theme of ‘Connections,’ sample social media posts and hashtags, and profiles of the victims of terrorism featured in the film.
FILM Trailer: Surviving Terrorism: The Power of Connections
Click here to view trailer featuring victims of terrorism from Cameroon, Canada, Iraq, Morocco, Norway, Pakistan, Spain and Uganda talking about their experiences as survivors of terrorist attacks and the power of connections in their lives.
FILM Poster: Surviving Terrorism: The Power of Connections
Click here to download the poster featuring victims of terrorism from Cameroon, Canada, Iraq, Morocco, Norway, Pakistan, Spain and Uganda talking about their experiences as survivors of terrorist attacks and the power of connections in their lives.
Connect with Us
Previous International Day Events