March 11, 2004. Ten bombs exploded on four trains during the
rush hour in Madrid. More than 190 people died, almost two thousand
were injured. It was one of the most devastating terrorist attacks in
Europe in recent history. As in the United States of America on
September 11 2001, it was an attack on freedom and democracy by an
international network of terrorists. One year on, Madrid will be the
setting for a unique conference, the International Summit on Democracy, Terrorism and Security under the High Patronage of His Majesty the King of Spain.
One year on Madrid is holding the International Summit on Democracy, Terrorism and Security (March 8th-11th).
Aside from the King of Spain, its Prime Minister, Kofi Annan, Bill
Clinton and other illustrious former world leaders, some well-known
bloggers will also be taking part – people like Dan Gillmor, Joi Ito and David Isenberg.
On March 11th, people across Madrid and other Spanish cities will be marching to remember those who died.
The organisers of the event are also inviting people to hold meetings:
"Sit
down with friends, family or colleagues, and reflect on what happened
at Atocha station, what happened in New York, and in Bali, and in
Baghdad."
If you hold an event, you are asked to take notes and send them through to the event organisers.
"After your meeting, we want to hear from you about what you talked about,
what you think is really important in opposing terrorism and what you
think of the Madrid Agenda. You can send us an email or fill in the
form on our website. We will present those views to the Club de Madrid as part of the process of refining the Agenda over the coming months. Doing this will help make the Agenda relevant to people’s lives,
and it will also make it clear to political leaders that the Madrid
process matters and that the principles expressed have to be taken
seriously."
Their downloadable pdf document offres quite a few suggestions as to what you should discuss and how to go about organising a meeting.
Why don’t you get involved? Simply, go to the website and fill in the registration forms. In addition, let all your friends and peers know about the event .
Here are some thoughts: set up a blog, Skype friends and family, have a chat on Yahoo! or MSN Messenger, even do a podcast
of the meeting you hold. Feel free to add your thoughts and should
anyone wish to arrange a meeting, please let me know.