International Teens Who Lost Loved Ones To Terrorism And Global Conflict Inspire The World With Messages Of Hope

NEW YORK, Aug. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Am I making the right decisions in my life? … I wish I could have known you better; I wish you could know me now, dad … Why did you go to work that day? …  Who will be my mother now? ... When I see you in me, I feel proud, so proud … You are not forgotten … Most important, I am happy … You can't kill love.

From heartbreaking to inspirational, teens who lost a loved one to an act of terrorism or in global conflict deliver these very personal messages to the ones they lost in a compelling new video called "My Love is Alive."  Released by Tuesday's Children and produced by Alexander Libby, who worked closely with director Stephen Daldry on the critically acclaimed film Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, the two-minute video is bringing attention to the impact of terrorism and world conflict on teenagers all around the world.

Featured in the video are 10 teenage participants from Project Common Bond, an international conflict resolution and peace-building project organized by Tuesday's Children,  the premiere nonprofit organization serving the needs of 9/11 family members, 9/11 responders and others affected by terrorism worldwide.

The video features:  Victoria (U.S.) who lost her grandmother on 9/11; Juliette (U.S.) who lost her father on 9/11; Jessica (U.S.) who lost her father on 9/11; Yousseff (Morocco) whose father was murdered in the Casablanca suicide bombings in 2003; Mercy (Nigeria) who lost her mother and two sisters in the Dogon Nahawa Massacre in 2010; Astrid and Mijal (Argentina) who lost their fathers in the AMIA bombing in 1994; Dubhaltach (Ireland) who lost his Uncle in the sectarian violence that has plagued Ireland and Northern Ireland; Aiden (Northern Ireland) who lost his Aunt in the Omagh Bombing in 1998; and Or (Israel) who lost his brother in a bombing.

My Love is Alive opens with each teen facing the screen, asking their loved one simple questions.  One by one, the questions become more poignant as the teens share their sense of loss, while also showing that they are moving forward positively with their lives.  

"When I was working on Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close,  I began reading The Legacy Letters, a compilation of letters from 9/11 family members published by Tuesday's Children," said Alexander Libby. "One particular letter stood out. In it, an 18 year old girl wanted to ask her dad questions she'd never have the chance to.  While it broke my heart, it inspired me to make this video with the teens from Project Common Bond. We hope My Love is Alive will inspire others and let them know they are not alone."

Terry Sears, Executive Director of Tuesday's Children, said, "Project Common Bond shows our teens that their past can change the future in a very positive way. We hope that with this video we can reach even more young people around the world who share similar experiences and encourage them to become tomorrow's peacemakers and world leaders. We are deeply grateful to Alex for his compassion and vision."

Tuesday's Children created Project Common Bond in 2008 in response to a request from 9/11 teens who wanted an opportunity to "give back" through a larger, global initiative. Since the program began more than 300 teens from 16 nations including the United States, Argentina, England, Ireland, Israel, Liberia, Northern Ireland, Palestine, Russia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Algeria, France, Morocco, Nigeria and Pakistan have participated.

The Project Common Bond Curriculum is adapted from the Dignity Model for Conflict Resolution, developed by Dr. Donna Hicks of the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University. The Harvard University Law School Negotiation and Mediation Clinical Program has also contributed to the program's success.

Follow on Twitter @TuesdaysChldrn or #CommonBond.  

For more information visit on Tuesday's Children or Project Common Bond visit: www.tuesdayschildren.org

Tuesday's Children is a non-profit family service organization that has made a long term commitment to every individual impacted by the events of September 11, 2001 and those who have been impacted by terrorist incidents worldwide. Since 2001, Tuesday's Children has promoted healing and recovery by strengthening family resilience, providing individual coping and life management skills and creating community through programs, mental health support and family engagement opportunities.

SOURCE Tuesday's Children

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