2026 Theme: “Healing Through Memory”
Today, Wem’afrika joins the international community in remembering and paying tribute to the victims and survivors of terrorism around the world.
Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2017 through Resolution 72/165, this observance provides an opportunity to honor those whose lives have been affected by terrorism while reaffirming the importance of protecting the human rights, dignity, and fundamental freedoms of victims and survivors.
Healing Through Memory
The 2026 theme, “Healing Through Memory,” reminds us that remembrance is more than looking back—it is part of the process of healing, rebuilding and preventing future violence.
Terrorism does not only take lives. It can leave lasting psychological, social, economic and community-level consequences. Survivors may experience displacement, loss of livelihoods, trauma, stigma and exclusion, while families and communities can continue to carry the consequences long after an attack has ended.
For conflict-affected communities, particularly in Africa, addressing terrorism requires more than security responses alone. Conflict management must place people at the centre of prevention, response and recovery.
From Conflict Management to Resilience
At Wem’afrika, we recognize that preventing and responding to terrorism requires a whole-of-society approach that combines security, peacebuilding, humanitarian action, human rights and community resilience.
Effective conflict management can contribute to preventing violent extremism and terrorism by:
Addressing underlying grievances, exclusion and inequality that can contribute to conflict.
Strengthening dialogue and peaceful mechanisms for resolving disputes.
Empowering young people and communities as partners in peace and security.
Supporting survivors and affected families with dignity and without discrimination.
Strengthening community resilience against radicalization, recruitment and violent extremist narratives.
Promoting early warning and early response mechanisms.
Building trust between communities, civil society and security institutions.
Ensuring that counter-terrorism measures respect international human rights and humanitarian principles.
Remember. Heal. Prevent.
Memory can be a powerful instrument for peace. When the stories of victims are preserved with dignity, communities can challenge narratives that glorify violence, educate future generations and strengthen collective commitments to preventing terrorism.
Digital spaces also have an important role to play. Online remembrance should be safe, respectful and trauma-informed, ensuring that victims and survivors are not exposed to further harm, exploitation, harassment or retraumatization.
Most importantly, victims and survivors should not only be remembered—they should be heard and included in conversations about prevention, recovery, justice and peacebuilding.
On this International Day, Wem’afrika stands in solidarity with victims, survivors, families and communities affected by terrorism.
We remember those we have lost.
We support those who survived.
We listen to affected communities.
We strengthen resilience.
And we work for a future where violence is prevented and peace becomes sustainable.
Remembering is part of healing. Healing is part of rebuilding. And rebuilding is part of peace.
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