First Anniversary of National Humanitarian Memorial Brings International Humanitarian Community Together at Gunnersbury Park

Gunnersbury Park & Museum welcomed more than 150 people from across the international humanitarian community to mark the first anniversary of the unveiling of the nation’s permanent memorial to humanitarian workers.

We hosted a programme of events to mark the first anniversary of the unveiling of the Humanitarian Memorial, a permanent memorial sculpture designed by acclaimed British artist Michael Landy to honour humanitarian aid workers and those affected by humanitarian crises around the world.

The anniversary brought together more than 150 representatives from across the international humanitarian community, including policymakers and delegates from government, UK-based humanitarian organisations, and communities connected to humanitarian work.

At the heart of the programme was a round-table discussion examining the increasingly challenging environment faced by humanitarian workers around the world. Delegates explored the unacceptable levels of violence, detention and harassment experienced by humanitarians and considered the urgent need to protect those working to support communities affected by conflict and crisis.

The anniversary programme also placed a strong emphasis on the perspectives of young people and the connection between global humanitarian issues and local communities. Gunnersbury’s Learning Team collaborated with artist Zafeerah Heesambee to deliver an arts programme with students from a local school in Ealing, providing young people with an opportunity to explore and express their views on humanitarian themes through creativity.

Following the programme, delegates gathered at the memorial for a moving commemorative ceremony before continuing to Gunnersbury Museum for a reception.

The Mayor of Ealing, Councillor Faduma Mohammed, gave a powerful address to the gathering, highlighting the importance of the memorial to communities around the world and to the many local residents who have first-hand connections to countries and communities where humanitarian interventions are taking place.

"Hosting the nation's memorial to humanitarians who have died in the service of communities across the world is a privilege. The link to many local residents and communities who have roots in parts of the world where humanitarian interventions are felt gives Gunnersbury a particular relevance. The moving speech from the Mayor of Ealing, Cllr Faduma Mohammed, reinforced the link between the global and the local, that our emerging programme of work with the Humanitarian Memorial Partnership will explore.”

- David Bowler, CEO, Gunnersbury Park & Museum