Advancing the Global Voice of Road Traffic Victims at the 4th Global Ministerial Conference for Road Safety

Manifesto Global Voice of Road Traffic Victims

17/02/2025

February 22 – European Day for Victims of Crime

22/02/2025

At the 4th Global Ministerial Conference for Road Safety, we made significant strides in advancing its mission to support road traffic victims. One of the key highlights was Katarzyna Dobrzanska-Junco, FEVR’s Vice President, presenting the joint manifesto of IRVP & FICVI & FEVR – Road victim organizations united with one voice – the “Global Voice of Road Traffic Victims” at the NGO Symposium organized by the Global Alliance NGOs for Road Safety. This presentation underscored the united effort to amplify the voices of road victims globally.

Additionally, the shared manifesto was presented during the post-crash response session, drawing attention to the need for improved global coordination in addressing the aftermath of road traffic crashes. The manifesto was also presented by FEVR President Robert Štaba and FEVR Board Members to the Minister of Infrastructure for the Republic of Slovenia, Alenka Bratušek, who visited the FEVR, FICVI, and IRVP exhibition stand.

A special recognition from FEVR was awarded to iRAP for their ongoing contributions to road safety, and we celebrated fruitful bilateral meetings with iRAP leadership.

There were also key bilateral meetings with all FEVR board members and an important session with Donna Price from the International Road Victims Partnership and FICVI representative. Furthermore, FEVR participated in the FIA Foundation event, where we had valuable discussions with Luca Pascotto, Head of Road Safety and Global Advocacy at FIA, David Ward from the Towards Zero Foundation, Emma MacLennan from EASST, ETSC representatives, and more.

Representatives from P(A)T, including president Vincente Sánchez Gonzalez and director Yolanda Domenech, met with Jean Todt, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, and presented the Road Traffic Victim’s Symbol pin.

A productive meeting took place between Zavod Varna pot from Slovenia P(A)T from Spain (Vincente Sánchez Gonzalez and Yolanda Domenech) to reflect on past collaboration and discuss future joint initiatives. The Erasmus+ youth projects Slow City and Slow City GAME, jointly led by Zavod Varna pot and P(A)T, serve as a good practice example for other FEVR members. We encourage collaboration between members and look forward to future possibilities of cooperation in various EU initiatives.

Additionally, a working meeting was held between Kaja Kobal (Zavod Varna pot – Slovenia), Vincente Sánchez Gonzalez (P(A)T – Spain), Katarzyna Dobrzanska-Junco (Przejście – Poland), and David Frost (RoadPeace – UK). They discussed joint actions and ways to strengthen cooperation in advocacy, awareness, and victim support initiatives.

During the conference, we found that the draft of the Marrakech Declaration does not include mention of road traffic victims, which we pointed out to Dr. Etienne Krug, Director of the Department for Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury Prevention (World Health Organization – WHO) and Jean Todt, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Road Safety (UNECE).

Based on numerous meetings and activities at the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, we are pleased that road traffic victims are included in the declaration. Sincere thanks to Etienne Krug, Jean Todt, and Agence Nationale de la Sécurité Routière – NARSA and their respective teams.

We held our first in-person board meeting, with Vice President Wulf Hoffmann (VOD – Germany) joining remotely. Vicente Sánchez González (P(A)T – Spain) and long-time board member Yolanda Domenech (P(A)T – Spain) joined briefly for the opening remarks. We reviewed the financial and activity report and completed FEVR’s registration in Belgium. Despite limited resources, we aim to develop new communication tools, work areas, and support programs for members. Planning has begun for the General Assembly and an in-person gathering in the fall, coinciding with the opening of the House of Road Traffic Victims & Safe Mobility Park in Ljubljana.