October 2008

VTIPG will participate in a discussion on tragedy with a group of individuals from Beslan, North Ossetia-Alania, an autonomous republic in the North Caucasus region of the Russian Federation.  The group is visiting a number of localities in the U.S. under the auspices of the National Peace Foundation. The delegation will consist of five professionals from a Beslan NGO that has developed a great deal of expertise in helping individuals in the aftermath of tragedy. In part, they have been compelled to do so as they have coped with the aftermath of their own community's catastrophe for the past four years which was know as the Beslan school hostage crisis, Beslan school siege or Beslan massacre. The members of the delegation have been working with members of their community since, as they have sought to cope with their personal and collective loss. This discussion will provide an opportunity for the two groups to share their individual stories of tragedy and loss, and to reflect together upon their experiences.