#Ongwentrial | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

positivedevelopment · 3 years

Text

Monthly Roundup - February 2021

REFLECTIONS FROM OUR CEO ON ICC CONVICTION OF LRA LEADER DOMINIC ONGWEN

“I believe Ongwen’s story is an extreme example of a pervasive reality: that the concepts of “perpetrator” and “victim” are not clear-cut, but rather complex, tangled, and non-binary; and that violence most often takes place in the context of relationships, where the perpetrator’s punishment and complete separation from society do not necessarily result in justice or healing for victims.”

Child soldiers – How do we find justice when the perpetrator was first a victim?

“The conviction of Ongwen is complicated and demonstrates how far the world still has to go in its protection of children from some of the most horrific violations during armed conflict. Communities suffer many consequences when the recruitment and use of children as soldiers is not prevented.”

Why do some child soldiers heal and not others? What one scholar found.

“With help from Mr. Charles and many others, Dr. Betancourt and her colleagues developed Youth Readiness Intervention, an evidence-based approach that views childhood trauma through a collective frame, one that includes family, community, and culture.”

Healing takes a village.

How 30,000 elephant 'selfies' will help in conservation

“The 30,000 "selfies" are being used in a conservation project to help save endangered elephants. The researchers are developing new technology to help reduce human-elephant conflicts in countries where elephants roam free.”

0 notes

positivedevelopment · 4 years

Text

Monthly Roundup - November 2020

No Research About Us Without Us: Participatory Policy-Oriented Research with Children and Youth Affected by Conflict

“In research on and programming aimed at children and youth, they are usually treated as passive subjects and beneficiaries rather than as partners. In an effort to address this in its own research, the UNU-CPR partnered with War Child UK to design and pilot a participatory research approach.”

youtube

A long journey: The story of Ishmael Beah

From child soldier to renowned author, human rights activist and Goodwill Ambassador.

youtube

Every time you save a child from war, there is hope.

Dr. Kjell Anderson "The dilemma of Dominic Ongwen: A former child soldier on trial at the international criminal court"

** The judgment on conviction or acquittal pursuant to article 74 of the Rome Statute will be delivered on 4 February 2021 at 10:00 (The Hague local time). Source: https://www.icc-cpi.int/uganda/ongwen

youtube

Kony’s children: The former child soldiers of Uganda

“Ongwen’s story isn’t a simple tale. It’s also a lesson in who writes history and who faces consequences. It raises questions about inequality, punishment, the legacy of colonialism, the world’s most viral video, and the role of the ICC.”

How Art Helped Propel Sudan’s Revolution

“Throughout Sudan, artists helped spur on conversations about the trajectory of the country and also used murals to share information about dates and times of protests.”

One Day, I Will

“This exhibit documents the hopes and dreams of children trapped in crises. All aged between 6 and 18 years old, the youth featured here have dressed up to show us who they want to be when they grow up, using costumes and props from their immediate surroundings. By tapping into each child’s vision for the future, photographer Vincent Tremeau gives us a unique glimpse into their current circumstances and challenges.”

0 notes

positivedevelopment · 4 years

Text

Monthly Roundup - December 2019

Ongwen Trial Update

Trial began on 6 December 2016.

The Prosecution and the Defence have completed the presentation of their evidence. The Legal Representatives of Victims also called witnesses to appear before the Chamber.

On 12 December 2019, the presiding judge declared the closure of the submission of evidence in the case.

Charity War Child Canada brings us a collection of artwork dedicated to celebrating education

“War Child Canada is a charity working to make this dream a reality. They work in places affected by war and conflict, giving children a chance at stability, justice, aid, and education. In particular, they host child-friendly spaces in Afghanistan. Recently, they asked children there to draw art that expressed what education meant to them.”

Art, a miracle remedy for peace?

“Art has considerable potential in peacebuilding, not only in the conflict resolution field but also in post-conflict reconciliation. Defying all linguistic boundaries, it is considered a universal language and therefore an ideal resource to understand the perspectives of others, particularly their perspective on a given conflict. Art can also directly nurture a peace process by providing a voice to marginalised or oppressed groups, whilst enhancing the relevance and legitimacy of the process itself. The use of art can be strategic, particularly during negotiations and mediation processes when verbal communication reaches its limits. Art is a powerful instrument for collective reconciliation between communities, and it can equally be useful for individuals to overcome any trauma linked to conflict.”

For any peacebuilding initiative, its effectiveness lies above all on the inclusion of social and cultural factors taken from the local context in which they operate.

Elephants of Tomorrow

“The Orphans is a sculpture exhibit featuring 21 life-size bronze elephants, a mother and 20 orphaned elephants, each orphan symbolises a real elephant currently in the care of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT), displayed in the centre of Marble Arch, London from 4th December 2019, for one year. Created by internationally acclaimed artists Gillie and Marc, the sculpture aims to raise funds and awareness for this next generation of elephants who will grow up into the healthy and supported elephants of tomorrow thanks to the SWT.”

0 notes

positivedevelopment · 5 years

Text

Monthly Roundup - November 2019

Last blog post of 2019! Cheers to a wonderful holiday season and a fun & safe start to 2020.

December 3rd is Giving Tuesday. Consider supporting your favorite non profit, organization or group.

My pick for this year: Young Peacebuilders launched two fundraising campaigns in support of their Young Peacebuilders Clubs (YPCs)!

Help develop and improve YPC training materials. Donate HERE

Contribute to the distribution of YPC mini grants. Donate HERE

youtube

________________________________________________________________

Uganda: Presiding Judge Sets Date for Closing Statements in Ongwen Trial

March 10, 2020 is set as the day when lawyers will start making their closing statements.

Congo Warlord Gets 30 Years: Persistence Over Many Years Helps Bring Bosco Ntaganda to Justice

“Bosco Ntaganda, whose armed groups terrorized the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, was sentenced by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on November 7, 2019, to 30 years in prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

UN General Assembly statement on Youth, disarmament and non-proliferation. Read HERE

________________________________________________________________

The Child Soldier Crisis: ‘Kids Are Cheap’

“Although by 2017 Kony’s force had shrunk to just 100 soldiers, from an estimated high of 3,000, the United Nations that year identified a list of 14 countries where armed paramilitary groups still use child soldiers—including Afghanistan, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, and more. Meanwhile, nongovernmental organizations such as Child Soldiers International continue to struggle due to donations “fatigue,” Mulroy said. Despite efforts to combat the phenomenon, the use of child soldiers “is a problem that keeps getting worse, because kids are cheap,” Mulroy said in a recent interview. “A lot of these countries sign up to not use child soldiers and then they do it anyway—that’s a fact.””

Opinion: Why are children still being recruited to fight in horrifying adult wars?

“At the Dallaire Initiative, we have seen how international laws and institutions must be complemented by a preventative, security-sector response that has the adequate tools, tactics, techniques and procedures to protect children and reduce risk. The recruitment and use of children has proven repeatedly to be an early warning indicator of mass atrocities, and the international community must now act with foresight.”

The story behind “El árbol del amor,” an animated documentary from Colombia’s indigenous Nasa community

“Sek (Sun) and A’te (Moon) are the main characters in the animation, el árbol del amor or The Tree of Love. The pair are fictional characters, but their stories are real, constructed from 25 testimonies elicited from former child combatants and young survivors of conflict in the remote indigenous Nasa reservation of Jambaló, Cauca in southwestern Colombia.”

vimeo

Youth Peace Champions: Disarming the Minds

“With the project ‘Building peace through young adult peace champions in Uganda’, CECORE and GPPAC address both root causes as well as driving factors of conflicts in Ugandan communities. We provide young people skills in peacebuilding, while also training them to become entrepreneurs ... As youth leaders, they speak out against destructive ways and embrace dialogue for peace. And with much success: the young peace champions reconcile conflicting parties, support fellow youth and speak out against violence and practices like forced marriage. Another success is the steady decrease in cattle raiding across the region.”

youtube

Advocating for Justice and Reparations in Uganda - discussion panel at University of Manitoba

Chair: Dr. Kjell Anderson, director, Master of Human Rights program, University of Manitoba

Speakers: Dr. Annie Bunting, project director, Conjugal Slavery in War partnership, York University Grace Acan, survivor, author and advocate Evelyn Amony, survivor, author and advocate Isabelle Masson, curator, Canadian Museum for Human Rights

youtube

A Voice for the Marginalized in Uganda

Listen to the Podcast with Patrick Bwire of the Center of Conflict Resolution in Uganda HERE

“Patrick shares some heart warming stories of successful reintegration. Whilst this transition can be so difficult, Patrick tells us how the medium of storytelling, sport and dance can rebuild bonds which once seemed unsalvageable.”

New art exhibits showcase role of art in social change

The Elephant Queen

“Embark on an epic journey of love, courage and coming home. Join Athena, the majestic matriarch of an elephant herd, as she is forced to lead her family across the unforgiving African savanna in search of water. This family-friendly adventure is a cinematic love letter to a threatened species. Narrated by Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave, The Lion King), The Elephant Queen won the Cinema for Peace International Green Film Award of the Year.”

youtube

0 notes

positivedevelopment · 5 years

Text

Monthly Roundup - October 2019

Ododo Wa: Stories of Girls in War

I had the honour of attending the exhibit launch and panel discussion of Ododo Wa: Stories of Girls in War at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Ododo Wa traces the journey of two girls from Uganda – Evelyn Amony and Grace Acan – who were abducted and held captive for years by a rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). After their ordeal, Evelyn and Grace discovered the power of using their voices to find healing and seek justice for women who survived captivity with the LRA.

Learn more about the exhibit HERE “Ododo wa” translates as “our stories” in Luo languages.

Drawing by survivor depicting the organization of an LRA camp, 2010–2011. Photo: Courtesy of Erin Baines

Hear more about Evelyn and Grace’s stories:

Voices of women and girls in war: Speaking out on sexual violence in conflict By Isabelle Masson

Abducted, enslaved, outspoken: Survivors of Ugandan rebel group share their stories at human rights museum Winnipeg Free Press

Lord's Resistance Army escapees tell their story in Winnipeg CBC News (17 minutes)

Pictured: Evelyn (left) and Grace (right) at the exhibit launch at CMHR

Ongwen trial: Don’t lose hope, ICC tells LRA victims

“The International Criminal Court (ICC) has asked the people of northern Uganda not to lose hope in the ongoing trial of Dominic Ongwen saying they have “credible evidence” to pin the suspect.”

Statement by Ms. Virginia Gamba to the Third Committee of the General Assembly

Excerpts from speech

“I would like to highlight the essential role played by child protection advisers in peacekeeping and special political missions and within United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, particularly my partners at UNICEF.”

“I also launched the Global Coalition for the Reintegration of Child Soldiers to generate new ideas for ensuring sustainable support to child reintegration programmes. The Coalition, co-led by myself and UNICEF, is composed of child protection experts from the United Nations, academia and civil society organizations, as well as the World Bank and Member States.”

“I count on you to increase your support to reintegration efforts and to ensure continued support to my Office and our partners for us to engage in a holistic approach to end and prevent violations.”

WATCHLIST WELCOMES THE UN LAUNCH OF THE VANCOUVER PRINCIPLES IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE

“On August 1, 2019, Watchlist welcomed the UN launch of the Implementation Guidance for the Vancouver Principles (IGVP) on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers.”

Inclusion of Child Protection Issues in Peace Negotiation Discussed in Brussels

“Child protection plays a crucial role in peacebuilding and is essential to ensure sustainable peace. This consultation is an opportunity to bring together the highest levels of expertise in the fields of mediation and child protection to share lessons learned and good practices and strengthen the dialogue and exchange between these two worlds,” said SRSG Virginia Gamba.

Using art to create change in traumatized communities

“For years, art has been used to tell stories and communicate messages. From graffiti, portraiture to murals, art has played a part in transforming communities. In Bidi Bidi refugee settlement in West Nile, communities are being helped to overcome trauma, create dreams, and encourage peace and togetherness among refugees through art, specifically murals.”

[WATCH] Liberia's child soldiers: 'I know I killed people'

0 notes

positivedevelopment · 5 years

Text

Bi-Weekly Roundup February 25 to March 10

RED HAND DAY: DESPITE NOTABLE PROGRESS, SIGNIFICANT WORK REMAINS TO PROTECT CHILDREN IN CONFLICT

“According to a new study by Child Soldiers International, the number of recorded cases of children used in armed conflict around the world has more than doubled since 2012, with a 159 percent rise and almost 30,000 verified cases of child recruitment.”

At the United Nations, Forest Whitaker Urges Governments to Do More to Reintegrate Former Child Soldiers

“Mr. Whitaker, who is also the UNESCO Special Envoy for Peace and Reconciliation, spoke before representatives of various governments, non-governmental organizations, and UN agencies gathered at the first formal meeting of the Friends of Reintegration Group.”

“The Friends of Reintegration Group is a component of the Global Coalition for Reintegration of Former Child Soldiers and was launched in September 2018 at the initiative of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Virginia Gamba.”

“Underlying Mr. Whitaker’s address was the idea that, in order to be sustainable, child reintegration should first and foremost be about youth empowerment ... [T]he ability of former child soldiers to regain their place in a peaceful society can be the contributing factor in stopping the cycle of violence, building peace, and contributing to sustainable development.”

Forest Whitaker said in closing: “the most important aspect for successful child reintegration is probably the need for them to feel a sense of belonging to a community where they can develop socially, economically, and culturally; in other words, a place where they can become the people they wish to be.”

FOUNDATION FOR JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES - FJDI

“FJDI works with children, youth, women and communities to promote justice, development and economic recovery in northern Uganda. FJDI seeks solutions to the long-term impacts of the conflict which ravaged northern Uganda by advocating for redress of human rights violations and atrocities committed during the conflict, implementation of sustainable development initiatives, and promotion of economic empowerment through livelihood programs. FJDI believe in the concept of Holistic Justice grounded in the notion that judicial mechanisms of redress go hand in hand with development and economic empowerment of victims.”

UNICEF Helps Free Child Soldiers In Central African Republic

youtube

Trial Fatigue - Is the Public Still Interested in Following Ongwen's Case?

“When Dominic Ongwen's trial started in December 2016 at the International Criminal Court (ICC), public interest in following the case was high because it was the first case involving a former high-ranking commander of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). However, as time went on, public interest in following the case appears to have dropped due to a number of factors.”

Sri Lanka gets its first data-based elephant distribution map

“By conducting interview surveys across the island nation over four years, researchers have now produced a countrywide, data-based distribution map of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) for the country.”

“The majority of Sri Lanka’s elephants live outside protected areas, the study found. There, they jostle for space with humans in landscapes consisting of forests and scrubland intermixed with farmland and villages and towns.”

The authors recommend a human-elephant co-existence model in Sri Lanka.

Yunnan to build elephant "dining area" to solve human-elephant conflicts

“The dining area will be located in a 137.5-hectare habitat area for 18 wild Asian elephants in Menghai County of Dai Autonomous Prefecture of Xishuangbanna, which also overlaps the 35,000 people from 13 villages who live there. An elephant habitat reconstruction project will also be launched, while the 51-hectare dining area will grow corn, sugarcane, bamboo and bananas.”

0 notes

positivedevelopment · 5 years

Text

Weekly Roundup January 14 to 20

Dominic Ongwen trial resumes today at The Hague

“The trial of Dominic Ongwen, a former commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), resumes today Monday 14th, at the Hague after a two-month break. Defense lawyers will be calling the next set of witnesses they hope will help convince the Trial Chamber IX that Ongwen, 44, is not guilty of the 70 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

I testified at the trial of one of Joseph Kony’s commanders. Here’s what the court didn’t understand.

Kristof Titeca (@KristofTiteca) is an assistant professor at the Institute of Development Policy at the University of Antwerp.

“In my research on the LRA, I have interacted with Otim for several years. His experiences may help us understand the story of another LRA soldier abducted as a child: Dominic Ongwen, who is now on trial for 70 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Kidnapped at the age of 9, Ongwen rose through the ranks of the LRA to become a senior commander. Much media attention has been given to the question of the responsibility of child soldiers: Should a former child soldier be held responsible for his actions after experiencing unspeakable trauma? Much less attention has been given to another striking issue of the trial, the role of spiritual elements: Is the ICC able to judge or understand the impact of the spiritual beliefs within the LRA?”

“And this is also where the spirits come in: Kony’s use of the spirits, the defense argues, allowed him to control Ongwen’s mind ... This highlights a central challenge for international criminal trials. They have a limited ability to fully and fairly consider non-Western norms of belief and behavior.”

Three years on: Girls returning from conflict in DR Congo find acceptance through education

“If we could go to school, the community would be nicer to us, we would get some consideration.”

“The findings from our research led to the creation of a research report and a Practical Guide in 2017. Focusing on low-cost community initiatives to eradicate stigma and improve community acceptance, the guide has since been shared in 46 local communities, leading to more girls being welcomed and accepted.”

“As of January 2019, our education projects have helped 245 girls formerly associated with armed groups and other vulnerable girls return to school or attend numeracy and literacy classes and five have started university.”

WORLD REPORT 2019

“World Report 2019 is Human Rights Watch’s 29th annual review of human rights practices around the globe. It summarizes key human rights issues in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide, drawing on events from late 2017 through November 2018.”

[PETITION] Don't let CITES delist Elephants and Rhinos as endangered animals!

“ In just a few months, on May 23, 2019 there will be a meeting of CITES. This organization is global and regulates wildlife and conservation efforts. They will meet to vote on proposals from four African countries that want to remove rhinos and elephants from appendix 1 (endangered status) and place them in appendix 2 (to be conserved and regulated status). Let us all stand together to tell CITIES we do not want hunting and the trade of rhino and elephant parts from the countries of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. Let's tell CITIES we do not need to expedite the extinction of elephants and rhinos!”

0 notes

positivedevelopment · 3 years

Text

Monthly Roundup - May 2021

Dominic Ongwen: Former Ugandan child soldier jailed for war crimes

“Dominic Ongwen, now 45, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for crimes including murder, rape and torture. He is the first former Ugandan child solider to be convicted and sentenced by the International Criminal Court.

Despite the gravity of the crimes, judges sentencing Ongwen on Thursday said they decided not to give the maximum life sentence because he was abducted as a child on his way to school in the late 1980s and groomed by rebels who had killed his parents.

The judges added that they hoped to give him the opportunity to rehabilitate. His conviction means that victims can now start the process of seeking reparations.”

Taller De Vida Reintegrates Colombia's Former Child Soldiers Into Society

Taller de Vida provides psychosocial support for Afro-Colombian and Indigenous women and youth survivors of violence and war, the center integrates art and peace activism for youth survivors and youth at risk of recruitment.

"Our methodology is based on the resilience and expressive arts approach. Resilience is a necessary skill so a person or a group of people can face difficult situations: pain, sadness, wounds, emotional distress—and redefine these experiences to develop resources to overcome, transform their lives, and face challenges," Duque says their theater collective performances across South America and Europe included workshops and meetings with local organizations where they taught inter-culturality–with psychosocial intervention processes and understanding of culture as a permanent construct of memory. “

#monthlyroundup #childrenNOTsoldiers #acttoprotect #humanrights #reintegration #rehabilitation #reconciliation #ICC #Africa #Uganda #Ongwentrial #Colombia #survivors #armedconflict #postconflictdevelopment #art #peaceactivism #expressivearts #Indigenous

0 notes

positivedevelopment · 6 years

Text

Weekly Roundup September 17 to 23

September 21st was the International Day of Peace!

Video message from Young Peacebuilders Founding Director Dr. Michael McGill:

youtube

Read the Peace Day newsletter HERE

Join the “Let's get Peacebuilding in the dictionary” campaign HERE

And check out Peace One Day - partnerships for peace intiative!

________________________________________________________________

Ongwen Trial UPDATE

Ongwen’s trial will resume on 18 September 2018 with the opening statements of the Defense and the Defense will start the presentation of its evidence on 27 September 2018.

Ex-LRA rebel commander Ongwen starts defence today

“Dominic Ongwen, the alleged former commander of Lord’s Resistance Army’s powerful Sinia Brigade, is today set to commence defending himself before the International Criminal Court (ICC) over his alleged role in the two-decade war. Thousands were killed and millions displaced during the insurgency that collapsed communities in northern Uganda. Ongwen is facing 70 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which were confirmed in March 2016 following a pre-hearing.”

________________________________________________________________

Art for Social Change

“Art for Social Change showcases the US Embassy's project - a customized exchange program for 14 artists from around Pakistan. The project focused on themes of activism through art, social engagement, and professional development.”

“The program focused on how artists can use their work to draw attention to social problems and engage the community. Moreover, they got the opportunity to grow and influence each other, build connections to artists and curators in the US, as well as gain perspective into a new culture.”

vimeo

0 notes

positivedevelopment · 7 years

Text

Weekly Roundup January 9 to 15

Ongwen’s trial resumes this week: Prosecution begins presenting case on 16 January. Follow any news at https://www.icc-cpi.int/uganda/ongwen

The LRA is Finally Weakening in Central Africa. Defection Messages Could Dismantle It

“Our friends and LRA experts, Ledio Cakaj and Paul Ronan, discuss the opportunity that effective defection efforts, like Invisible Children’s ‘Come Home’ Messages present to efforts to end LRA violence in central Africa. Based on extensive research and hours of interviews with former LRA combatants, Cakaj and Ronan conclude that, as LRA-leader Joseph Kony becomes increasingly brutal and erratic, targeted messages to LRA commanders from family members and recent defectors, has and can continue to undermine fears that prevent defections.”

______________________________________________________________

ELEPHANT ORIGAMI CHALLENGE

“For the official Guinness World Records ™ title count, we received 204,481 pieces of origami—far more than we had the ability to process for this record. Still, the final display of all your hard work was impressive. And we shattered the previous record of 33,000-plus!”

youtube

More good news from this week!

Tech giants pledge to keep children out of cobalt mines that supply smartphone and electric-car batteries

“Apple, HP, Samsung SDI and Sony have joined an effort known as the Responsible Cobalt Initiative. Members of the initiative pledged to follow OECD guidelines for mining supply chains, which call for companies to trace how cobalt is being extracted, transported, manufactured and sold. Any abuses would require immediate correction.”

This is at least a step in the right direction and marks a successful move in Amnesty’s #notinmyphone campaign

Refugees helping refugees: how newcomers are empowering one another

Somalis cheer fellow refugee's cabinet post

“Winnipeg’s Somali community and refugee advocates are hailing the appointment of the first Canadian refugee to become an immigration minister.”

Yahya Samatar reaches out to frozen friend

“Yahya Samatar, the Somali man who grabbed international headlines a year and a half ago when he swam across the Red River to come to Canada, is reaching out to a fellow refugee with a remarkably similar story.

Seidu Mohammed is a Ghanaian man who trekked across the same North Dakota fields as Samatar to enter Manitoba.”

0 notes

positivedevelopment · 6 years

Text

Weekly Roundup October 15 to 21

Give them a follow: The Elephant Protection Initiative!

“Africa's response to the elephant crisis - 19 countries working to end the ivory trade and build a sustainable future for elephants and people.”

Child Soldiers

Nigeria: Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Welcomes Release of 833 Children by Civilian Joint Task Force

“Nigerian authorities will provide reintegration services to all children released today, with support from UNICEF and partners.”

Victim, perpetrator, son? The other side of the ICC’s Ongwen trial

To forgive is divine: Is the church the key to reintegrating child soldiers?

“Religious rituals provide acceptance of the child, assuage the ill spirits associated with the child soldier’s actions during the conflict, and reconcile the child with ancestral spirits.”

AT UNGA, WORLD LEADERS COMMIT TO STRENGTHENING SUPPORT FOR FORMER CHILD SOLDIERS

“On September 24, 2018, world leaders came together on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to pledge their support for children formerly associated with armed forces and groups. At a side event co-organized by the Kingdom of Belgium and the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (OSRSG-CAAC), policy makers discussed the challenges to reintegrating these girls and boys back into society and ways to overcome these obstacles. Each of the panelists highlighted the need for sustainable, long-term support for reintegration.”

“WILL YOU HEAR US?” CIVIL SOCIETY BRINGS CHILDREN’S VOICES TO THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

“On September 27, 2018, Watchlist’s Executive Director Bukeni Waruzi moderated a panel discussion on children affected by war organized by World Vision International and the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (OSRSG-CAAC). Under the title “Hear Our Voices: Listening to Children Affected by Conflict,” the event brought together international experts to discuss children’s perspectives on protection and rights. Held during the opening week of the UN General Assembly’s 73rd session, the panel discussion sought to increase the attention of high-level policy makers on the situation of children affected by armed conflict.”

“The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG-CAAC), Ms. Virginia Gamba, presented a proposal to create a global fund to support the reintegration of children around the world.”

United for the Future: Supporting the Reintegration of Former Child Soldiers

“The Special Representative further called for the creation of a global coalition on reintegration to provide the best possible reintegration programmes to former child soldiers by ensuring broad support and knowledge sharing. Despite the global agreement on the importance of reintegration to help former child soldiers, assistance cannot reach everyone and more needs to be done to ensure that the thousands of children who are in dire need of help receive an appropriate support, she pleaded.”

Watch the event: Funding the Future: Challenges and Responses to the Reintegration of Child Soldiers (video at bottom of page HERE)

Join us for Red Hand Day 2019!

“Participating in [Child Soldiers International] global Red Hand Day Campaign is easy:

Download one of the templates from our website

Decorate the hands – here are a few ideas:

Younger students: Paint inside the hands – or students can even make their own hand print if you’re eager to get messy with hand paints!

Older students: Write a message for children around the world who are affected by conflict

Simply sign their names (best to be done on the actual ‘Red Hand’)

Send finished materials in one of two ways:

Post them to our office (28 Grayston Centre, Charles Square, London N1 6HT, United Kingdom)

Scan them in and email to us to print out ([email protected])”

youtube

0 notes