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Just days before, she recalled, “he kissed us goodbye, and I remember telling him in my joking way: ‘Be sure you come back.’”

UN official Laura Dolci was feeding her baby son when she heard the devastating news that her husband Jean-Sélim Kanaan had been killed in a suicide bomb attack on the UN Headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq. It was August 19, 2003: the darkest day in UN history, and the darkest day in her life.

Working through tremendous trauma, Laura Dolci became a fierce advocate for terrorism victims – calling for recognition and support to those affected by what she calls a senseless crime. At the United Nations, she is now a distinguished leader in international human rights. 

In this episode, Laura reflects on the meaning of the term resilience, on her late husband’s legacy, and on her hopes for their son.

“One of the first things I had to tell [my son] was, ‘Your father was killed.’ … The weight of that word in a family is big. How do you make sure that the next generation can still believe in justice, in mediation, in respect, in resolving tensions and conflicts?”

Photo: ©Laura Dolci’s personal archives

On 8 August, the will hold a meeting on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. Terrorism, in all its forms and tactics, targets the very foundations of our societies and directly challenges our shared values of peace, justice, and human dignity. It aims to dismantle human rights, fundamental freedoms, and democracy. It threatens the territorial integrity and security of nations and seeks to destabilize legitimate governments. To counter this threat, the international community must strengthen cooperation in preventing and combating terrorism.

Violent extremism is an affront to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. It undermines peace and security, human rights and sustainable development. No country or region is immune from its impacts. The General Assembly has 12 February the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism, to raise awareness of the threats linked to violent extremism conducive to terrorism, and to enhance international cooperation in this regard. The initiative supports the Secretary-General’s 2016 Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism.

The evolving threat posed by terrorist and violent extremist groups require multi-faceted, agile, collaborative and innovative approaches by stakeholders at the international, national and community levels. Engaging with diverse partners and embracing openness to a multitude of perspectives is fundamental to responding to the complex challenges posed by terrorism and violent extremism. On Tuesday the Security Council will hold an open debate on cooperation between UN and regional organizations in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism.

Violent extremism undermines the mission of the United Nations: peace and security, human rights and sustainable development. On 12 February the United Nations will observe the first International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism – to remind us that nothing can justify violent extremism while acknowledging that it does not arise in a vacuum. The Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism encompasses not only counter-terrorism measures but also the steps to address what drives individuals to radicalize and join violent extremist groups.

In of The Lid Is On, Jennifer Bramlette from the UN Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED), and Adam Hadley from Tech Against Terrorism, a public-private partnership, join Conor Lennon to talk about the pervasive threat posed by the use of online technology by terror groups, and how Governments can fight back.

On the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism (21 August), the UN honours and supports the victims and survivors of terrorism, while promoting the protection of their human rights and fundamental freedoms. Watch and listen to the powerful voices of victims of terrorism as they share their experiences and recite an Ode about the importance of connections. Remembering the victims of terrorism and doing more to support them is essential to help them rebuild their lives and heal. Join the online event on and visit to #UNiteforVictimsofTerrorism.

With our focus mainly on the response to the pandemic, it is still critical to commemorate this year’s International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism to remember and honour the victims of terrorism. An online high-level event entitled “Not Forgotten: Stories of Remembrance of Victims of Terrorism”, will be held on 21 August, 10 am EDT, with the participation of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres. Victims will speak reminding the audience that it is not only about bereavement, but also about acknowledging the experience of survivors.

Over 43,000 individuals from approximately 100 countries are believed to have traveled to Syria and Iraq to join ISIL and other groups. Following ISIL’s loss of territory, approximately 11,000 individuals, mostly women and children, are stranded in camps in Syria and Iraq.

“Strategic and Practical Challenges of Countering Terrorism in a Global Pandemic Environment” is the theme for this year’s Virtual Counter-Terrorism Week, held from 6-10 July. The event will provide an opportunity to bring Member States, United Nations entities, thought leaders, civil society representatives and other stakeholders together to exchange views, through strategic and expert-level online events, on the new counter-terrorism landscape created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The opening two-hour high-level session will be live via on Monday, 6 July at 10:00 am EST.