After a series of extremist attacks in France, Australia, and Canada, the White House set a date next month for a security conference that had originally been scheduled for last year.  The “Summit on Countering Violent Extremism” is now set for 18 February.

“There’s a greater need for us to share information, to knock down these information-sharing barriers so that we can always stay on top of these threats,” said America’s top law enforcement official Attorney General Eric Holder during a  series of television interviews on Sunday.  “One nation cannot by itself hope to forestall the possibility of terrorism, even within its own borders.”

In a statement, the White House said the meeting will highlight “best practices and emerging efforts” from several US communities carrying out pilot programs to address extremism.  With the notable exception of the Fort Hood shootings, the US has largely been able to thwart planned attacks by extremists.

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve echoes Holder’s push for sharing information, and says that Europe needs to establish a “European Passenger Name Record” database to be shared among EU member states.

“We are convinced of the need for such a tool, to follow those who travel to terrorist operating theaters or who return from there,” Cazeneuve said.

It’s not yet clear which nations will be sending representatives to the summit.