UK and US terrorism survivors to form an international network to challenge violent extremism
Survivors of terror attacks from the North East will come together later, to send a defiant message to extremists that "enough is enough"
Terrorism survivors from US and UK cities such as Boston, Manchester, Orlando and London have come to together to form an international network of like-minded organisations and people who will work to prevent violent extremism and support each other as they cope with the consequences of violent conflict.
Joining together at the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Centre in North West England, over a 100 people agree that ‘enough is enough’ and that they should establish a Peace Builders network to challenge those who use violence to further their aims and to support anyone who has been affected by terrorism.
The United States Deputy Chief of Mission to the United Kingdom, Lewis Lewkens will address delegates and tell them:
“What they all had in common was an attitude of absolute determination to speak out and reach out and constantly do more - both to prevent extremism and to support its victims through a unique knowledge and understanding of some the issues.”
He will deliver a strong message of support on behalf of the United States:
“Everyone needs to get involved in the fight to stop terrorism. That’s a mission our Government - and successive American Governments - have all taken incredibly seriously.
“There is nothing more inspiring to us in the work that we do than to see everything that survivors and support organizations are bringing to that fight.”
The conference is staged on the United Nations International Day of Peace, and the Peace Foundation, established 25 years ago after a terrorist incident, will announce plans to set up a network of Peace Builders, developed as part of its programme ‘for peace’ in the prevention, resolution and response to violent conflict. The network will be open to anyone, whether an organisation, individual or campaign group who shares the aspiration to promote peace and end violence.
Nick Taylor, Peace Foundation Chief Executive will tell delegates:
“Enough is enough, our society has to challenge those who use violence to further their aims.
“The vast majority of people want to live together in peace and our learning from terrorism survivors is that they have a powerful voice that can influence and prevent violent conflict. That is our hope, that we at the Peace Foundation can create a network of Peace Builders equipped and supported to make change happen.”
The Peace Foundation will set out its intention to demonstrate the power of survivors voices in a campaign to be launched on Tuesday 24 September, called #WordsMatter, that will be led by eight people affected by terrorism, and will call upon the media and those in public life to take responsibility for the way they report and commentate on terrorist incidents.
Nick continued:
“#WordsMatter will show how such a network can work and influence change and we hope will inspire others to join us as we seek to promote peace."