In Nov 2022 we hosted our annual Knowledge for Prevention Symposium or (K4P Symposium), where we jointly collaborated with the Ministry of Defence of Uruguay to host.  This also marks the anniversary of the Vancouver Principles, to which Uruguay was one of the founding endorsers.
 
  This symposium brought together representatives from civil society organizations in Uruguay, Colombia and Mexico, member of the security sector from Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina and Diplomats, UN officials like the SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict and youth advocates who have experienced armed violence and wish to see a better future.  And together, they discussed a lot about keeping children safe, breaking cycles of violence, and the need to be innovative in our solutions. 

Through its fund for Innovation and Transformation (FIT), the Dallaire Institute brings local actors together to discuss why and how they should work together to prevent the practice of recruiting and using children in armed conflict. 
In this episode of our CPS podcast, Amara Bangura discusses with three key partners who participated in out trainings and the community dialogues. 

1. Dr. Betty Kute from Women Action for Society 
2. Mama Sarah Ajith from Support for Women in Governance Organization (SWIGO)
3. Capt. Simon Zue from the South Sudan National Police or SSNPS 

The final episode of the year for our podcast on Children, Peace and Security is officially available! 

For episode 7, Focus on Nigeria: Host Amara Bangura is joined by Maj Gen James Ataguba, the Chief of Standard and Evaluation, Nigerian Army, Aisha Zannah Mustapha of the Dallaire Institute’s Youth Advisory Committee, and Lt Commander Padre Matthew of the Canadian Armed Forces. 

In this episode, we focus on the voices of youth.  We will hear the story of Nassu Kanden, abducted by rebel fighters in Sierra Leone when she was only 14. 

We discuss the impact of armed conflict on children with members of the Dallaire Institute’s youth advisory committee. 

Masai Ujiri (President of the Toronto Raptors, founder of the Giants of Africa, and member of the Dallaire Institute International Advisory Council) talks about empowering young people.

And, the Dallaire Institute’s research advisor and doctoral student Dustin Johnson, explains why his research is critical to preventing the recruitment and use of child soldiers. 

This episode explores the Dallaire Institute's Prevention Approach to the recruitment and use of children in conflict. Join experts Dr. Catherine Baillie Abidi, Tim Lynam and our Country Director in South Sudan, Edouard Munyamaliza as they discuss the prioritization of prevention and early warning systems in protecting children from recruitment and use in armed conflict. 

In this edition,  we explore the Security Sector Engagement in preventing the recruitment and use of children.

Peacekeeper Jacquelyn Nakayenze explains how a community approach during their mission in #Somalia helped them learn about how the #AlShabab militant group was using children.

And host Amara Bangura asks the Dallaire Institute's Anthony Di Carlo about the importance of implementing the Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers.

A Children’s Rights Upfront (CRU) Approach seeks to elevate children’s well-being higher up on the international peace and security agenda both in terms of making it a priority for all actors, as well as by ensuring children and youth participate in peace processes that impact their future. 

This month, Amara spoke with Lt General Dallaire about the importance of the Children’s Rights Upfront (CRU) Approach. 

The Acting Director of the African Centre of Excellence for Children Peace and Security (ACoE), Francisca Mujawase, tells us the work of the ACoE. 

And Arsene Tshidimu talks about the Dallaire Institute Radio programs in The DRC,  their success and his work with the security sector in the country.  

Despite the UN and other international legal entities naming this a serious crime, millions of girls and women around the globe live with the terrifying threat of sexual violence in conflict every day.

This month, Amara spoke with Princess Koroma, Sarah Ajith and our Executive Director Dr. Shelly Whitman. 

Princess was abducted by rebel forces when she was just 7 years old, she survived sexual violence and being forced to fight. She’s now president of the Sex workers in Bombali District, Northern Sierra Leone.

Sarah Ajith is the founder of the Supporting Women in Governance (SWIGO) organization in South Sudan.

Dr. Shelly Whitman spoke as a subject matter expert and highlights what the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security is doing to help end horrifying crimes against women and children.