Brussels attacked: Our heart-felt thoughts go to victims

Last week I left 35 colleagues from around the world to continue their leadership training in the capital of Belgium, Brussels. These colleagues who would become friends such was their warmth, their generosity of spirit and their mutual desire to change our world.

Today, for about three hours organisers and participants of that leadership programme –The Transatlantic International Leaders Network- were frantically phoning around to see if everyone was safe after the inhumanity of terror struck the streets of Brussels.

One of our key concerns was for the African American contingent making their way back to the USA. Some of whom were at the airport when two devices were detonated. Social media was abuzz with the news that the terrorists had targeted US airlines terminal in a bid to kill and maim US citizens.

Thankfully, they are all safe. Shaking for sure, and not clear when they will return home, but at least they are safe and well. All the other members of group including those who live and work near the Parliament and or use metro station Maelbeek, that also endured another devastating explosion, are safe and well too.

When something so terrible like this occurs there are so many things that go through your mind. First are those that you know, love and or care about safe? After you’ve gone through that harrowing mental drama you begin to think about; ‘Wow! That could have easily been me there, at that time’. We all used that station, and most of the delegates came through that airport. And then you think about, how can fellow human beings do this to each other?

There are these and many other questions we all wrestle with during a time like this, many will continue for weeks and months to seek answers.

On these pages at OBV we will at some point talk about some of the contributory elements that feed into the radicalisation of young men and women. That's our duty. Elements that we witnessed first-hand speaking with local community groups.

But not now.

Right now is the time to send our heart-felt thoughts and condolences to those whose lives have been lost and to the families whose lives have been torn asunder by such barbarity.

Brussels our thoughts are with you.

Simon Woolley