Ms. Bianca Kopp

Bianca Kopp, a dedicated staff member of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), has exemplified resilience and leadership through her professional and personal journey within the organization. In 2011, she survived the terrorist attack on the United Nations House in Abuja, Nigeria, an event in which 25 people, including several UN colleagues, lost their lives. Recognized for her courage and humanity, she was nominated by UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov to carry the Olympic torch during the 2012 London Games, symbolizing hope, unity, and the perseverance of the United Nations’ mission despite adversity. Beyond her personal story of survival, Kopp has played a significant role in advancing UNODC’s Education for Justice (E4J) initiative, part of the Doha Declaration Global Programme. As a Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer, she has represented UNODC at major international forums, including the World Congress of Criminology, where she presented E4J’s achievements in fostering partnerships with universities worldwide to strengthen the rule of law and promote Sustainable Development Goal 16. Her work underscores the dual legacy she carries within UNODC: as both a symbol of resilience in the face of terrorism and as a professional driving forward innovative education and crime prevention strategies on a global scale.