Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the UN’s Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power.
This landmark event — co-organised with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU, a moment of unity bringing together to the EU the national, European and international communities to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the UN Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power.
It also marks the culmination of the Year of Victims’ Rights campaign led by VSE and its members across Europe and beyond throughout 2025. The event will bring together key EU and international policymakers, civil society leaders, victims’ rights advocates, law enforcement officials, and academic experts to reflect on the achievements and remaining challenges in delivering real justice for victims.
Objectives:
✅ Reflect on progress and challenges in implementing the Declaration’s principles.
✅ Mobilize key stakeholders to reinforce commitment to victims’ rights.
✅ Showcase impactful initiatives and best practices.
✅ Strengthen partnerships and inspire future action.
Event Highlights Include:
✅ Keynote addresses by senior representatives of the UN, UNODC, the European Commission, the International Federation of Journalists, and the Danish Presidency.
✅ Panels featuring members of the VSE Victims’ Platform, as well as speakers from Victim Support New Zealand, NECX, and more!
✅ Original contributors to the declaration and voices from across different sectors.
✅ A fundraising lunch that will help us implement support services and rights in Europe
Find out why the UN’s Victim’s Declaration matters!
Read our interview with Anna Giudice, Team leader and Criminal Justice Officer at UNODC, from our “In Conversation With” pieces here!
When?
The event will take place on 28 November 2025, from 09:00am till 3:00pm CET.
Where?
Residence Palace, Brussels
Wetstraat 155
1040 Brussels
This is an in-person event. There will be no online broadcasting.
Price
25€ – The tickets include all the presentations, a lunch buffet and a ticket for the fundraising raffle.
Registration
Registration is now open via this form. Please note registration closes on November 21st.
Dresscode
Business casual.
28.11.2025 09:00 – 15:00 CET
Venue: Residence Palace, Brussels
9:00-9:30 Welcome Coffee
9:30-10:15 Opening
10:15-11:15 Panel Session: Voices That Turn Words Into Reality – The Power of Victims’ Advocates to Reform
Introduction by: Levent Altan, Executive Director, Victim Support Europe
Moderator: Larisa Spahic, Victim Support Europe
11:15 – 11:45 Coffee Break
11:45 – 12:00 Pro Bono for Impact
12:00 – 12:45 Panel Session: From Declaration to Delivery: Institutional Voices on Victim Support
Moderator: Anna Giudice, UNODC
12:45-13:00 Voice Under Threat: Advocating for Journalists’ Safety and Justice
13:00 – 13:45 Panel Session: From Words to Support: Frontline Best Practices
Moderator: Levent Altan, Executive Director, Victim Support Europe
13:45 – 15:00 Lunch, Inspiration Speech “Leading Through Crisis: A Story from New Zealand” & Raffle
On 28 November 2025, VSE is not only celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the UN’s Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power and the culmination of its Year of Victims’ Rights, but also 35 years of advocating on behalf of victims of crime.
Why are we hosting a Fundraising Lunch during this Event?
While we strive to improve European and international laws related to victims’ rights, we are constantly adapting our internal services to better address the needs of victims of crime. To meet our objectives, we want to establish a Victim Care Team at our Brussels HQ, to ensure we can dedicate the staff time required to engage with any victims who contact us directly.
Till now we have only been able to offer anyone who calls our office the minimum of advice as our resources are concentrated on policy and project tasks. To better handle callers’ concerns, we must have the staff available to respond to their questions.
How the Fundraiser works
The registration fee includes a fundraising raffle ticket. Your raffle ticket will automatically be entered into a prize draw which will be drawn during lunch, on completion of the formal programme.
You are free to buy more tickets on the day at the cost of 5€ per ticket and we will also be accepting donations at the event via SumUp or Donorbox, or by visiting our dedicated fundraising page.
The Prizes
Aspria: Enjoy family membership for a week at one of Aspria’s Brussels-based health and wellbeing clubs.
Hachiko: Spend a day with Hachiko! one of Belgium’s best assistance dog trainers.
Tipsy Tribe Brewery & Distillery: Win 2 tickets for a guided tour and tasting at a Brussels micro brewery-distillery and home of the first whisky made in Brussels!
Martin’s Hotel: Win a luxurious overnight stay for two, with breakfast, at Martin’s Château du Lac, a 5 star hotel on Lac de Genval.
Brewdog: Brewdog offers two lucky customers a meal* at their Brussels Craft Beer Bar and restaurant.
European Forum for Restorative Justice: Four lucky winners will win 2 tickets for the acclaimed theater play Piéton by Kenneth Berth, at the REstART art festival in Leuven.
Sheree Young: Take home a beautiful seascape painting by a talented South African artist.
Stone Manor: Kick start the festive season with a British food hamper from Stone Manor, Everberg.
Waterstones: Win a Waterstones’ book token worth €20.
VSE: Two lucky winners will go home with framed photographs taken by our talented professional photographers from the VSE staff.
And much more!
*Alcoholic beverages excluded.
Victim Support Europe (VSE), the leading European umbrella organisation advocating on behalf of all victims of crime, presents More Than Words: Turning Commitment into Real Change for Victims.
The event is co-organised with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and is co-hosted by the Danish Presidency,
For all media inquiries, please contact: Marina Kazakova, m.kazakova@victimsupporteurope.eu
If you have any further questions, please email: Greta Hirschberg, vseintern@victimsupporteurope.eu
NECX is transforming how individuals access victim services, making it easier than ever to find support, connect with safe community groups, and navigate critical resources—all in one secure, trauma-informed platform. Our mobile app empowers users with a nationwide service directory, secure messaging, AI-guided support, and private community spaces, ensuring they can safely seek help on their own terms.
For those facing crisis, NECX removes the barriers that often make finding support overwhelming. Whether connecting with advocacy groups, accessing crisis services, or managing multiple service providers, users can take control of their journey with confidence. NECX prioritizes privacy, security, and accessibility, safeguarding personal information while fostering stronger, more connected communities.
By bridging gaps between victims, service providers, and support networks, NECX creates a collaborative, empowering ecosystem where no one has to navigate hardship alone.
DISCLAIMER: The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Victim Support Europe and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union.
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