How to Prevent Radicalization and Heal the Society (Video)  

10.01.2025 |

A direct encounter with death led him to fight against terrorism. “It starts with ourselves,” says the survivor of Breivik’s attack. Watch the recording of Bjørn Ihler’s talk at the Impact Summit. 

The second year of the Impact Summit featured many powerful stories showcasing ways to tackle today’s challenges. One of them was shared by Bjørn Ihler, a survivor of Anders Breivik’s 2011 attack on the island of Utøya. With the help of experts, he overcame his trauma and now works to prevent violent extremist acts. “I’m on a mission to end terrorism,” says Ihler, who serves as the director of Revontulet and the Khalifa Ihler Institute. 

According to him, understanding terrorism and its perpetrators is crucial, as terrorist acts affect a wide range of areas within society. “It’s about conversations with people who are in radicalization processes. The key is recognizing the humanity of people who are engrained in extremist movements and letting them know we see their value as humans,” says Bjørn Ihler on how to prevent killings in the name of ideology. “We all have a role to play in building a safer world for all. It starts with us.” He adds that creating a secure society requires overcoming the fear of differences and fostering collaboration across sectors. 

Watch the full recording of his talk below. (Note: The video is in English, without Slovak subtitles.)