‘Portraits of Resilience’ event and Exhibition 26 June
On Friday 26 June 2026 ‘Portraits of Resilience’ was at the centre of a panel discussion and exhibition to mark International Day in support of survivors of torture at the EEAS in Brussels.
The event was eight months in the making, culminating in a powerful conversation with Olaf Skoog, Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs at the European External Action Service, Jawad Fairooz survivor from Bahrain and human rights activist, Amy, survivor and on the board of the survivor advisory Group, and myself, humanitarian photographer and author of ‘Portraits of Resilience’.
Topics of discussion were, what it means to be a survivor, recognition, justice and reparation. We also talked about the new Survivor’s charter that was submitted to the United Nations earlier this year, and how different approaches to the conversation were important, such as with ‘Portraits of Resilience’.
The event was well attended with an opportunity for questions at the end, after which I introduced the ‘Portraits of Resilience’ work and exhibition.
There was then an informal reception with drinks and food so that everyone could continue the discussion and have time to view the exhibition.
I would like to thank the EEAS and United Against Torture Consortium for hosting along with everyone else who supported the event.
“Portraits of Resilience” is presented in collaboration with TASSC International, REDRESS, Freedom from Torture and the survivors.
The exhibition will run until September 4th.
