Save the Children Canada

Published purpose

This project, through Save the Children Canada, with Canada’s support, aims to increase the effectiveness of United Nations (UN) peace operations to prevent the recruitment and use of child soldiers. It does so, firstly, by enhancing coordination between UN peacekeepers and other child protection actors to continue child protection efforts after the peacekeeping mission ends, and, secondly, by improving the UN member states’ understanding of how to implement the Vancouver Principles (VPs). Project activities include: (1) conducting research on child protection needs in Somalia and South Sudan; (2) revising and strengthening the national child protection policy and reporting mechanism in Somalia and South Sudan, the African Union (AU), and local non-government organizations (NGOs); and (3) coordinating workshops between UN missions, the AU, and local NGOs on best practices for leaving armed groups and reintegration of current and former child soldiers.