“It is a way of illustrating how tragic circumstances bring us together, bringing out some of the finest values of humanity, of solidarity and compassion. So, we are deeply touched and welcome you.”

These are the moving words of Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who welcomed a Lancaster University researcher and her project team to the commemoration of the Oslo city and Utoya Island terror attacks, which happened in 2011.

Dr Cath Hill, from the Department of Sociology, and members of the ‘Bee The Difference’ team were invited by the ‘Norwegian support group after the 22 July’ to travel to Oslo to take part in the commemoration services, both in the Government Quarter and on Utoya Island, last week.

They were greeted warmly by both the Prime Minister and the Secretary General of NATO, General Jens Stoltenberg.

The Bee The Difference project was set up by Dr Hill, who lectures in Social Work at Lancaster University, after the Manchester Arena attack which she survived along with her son, who was just 10 at the time.

In August 2022 nine young Manchester survivors, in collaboration with Dr Hill and the National Emergencies Trust, launched the Bee The Difference survey, which was completed by 236 young people (aged under 18 at the time of the attack).

Respondents included those impacted by what happened to a loved one or friend, as well as those who were present at the Arena when the attack happened. 90% of those who took part in the survey were at the Arena, or in the vicinity, when the attack occurred, and the research looked at their experiences and after care.

Dr Hill said: “It was an honour to be invited to Norway for these events, especially as it was the research by Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies (NKVTS) on young survivors that inspired and influenced our research project. They are a leading centre for research on survivors of mass violence.”

Dr Hill, accompanied by seven of the Manchester Arena young survivors, who collaborated on the project, presented their research findings in Norway at the 22 Juli Centre, a national remembrance and learning centre related to the 22 July attacks. They also spoke about their project on national news programmes.

In response to the media coverage, Dr Hill was invited to meet with Dr Cecile Daae, the Director General of NKVTS, who is keen to collaborate on future research projects which focus on using cultural activities to support victims of mass violence.

Dr Hill has also been invited to meet with Professor Atle Dyregrov at Bergen University at the Centre for Crisis Psychology in August.

Two years ago, Dr Hill and the team travelled to New York to the UN Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism to highlight, Bee The Difference, which aims to help future young survivors of terror.

She provided their unique perspective alongside United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, civil society organisations, experts and academics.

You can hear Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre address Dr Hill and The Bee The Difference team here: Minnemarkering på Utøya - VGTV at 37 minutes in. VGTV is Norway's largest web TV channel.