Latin American Centre of Excellence (LACoE) Hosts First Regional Seminar on “Childhood, Peace and Security in Conflict Situations” Santiago de Chile
October 7 - 10, 2024: Latin American Centre of Excellence (LACoE) Hosts First Regional Seminar on “Childhood, Peace and Security in Conflict Situations”
A three-day regional seminar on Childhood, Peace and Security in Conflict Situations was held in Santiago de Chile on October 7 to 10, 2024 as part of the work of the Dallaire Institute through our Centre of Excellence in Latin America (LACoE) in collaboration with ALCOPAZ (Latin American Association of Peacekeeping Operations Training Centers). This hybrid event gave each Peace Operational Centre in the region the opportunity to participate in person or online
Over the three days, participants had the opportunity to deeply reflect on the recruitment and use of children in armed violence and the grave violations to which they are exposed. More importantly, it was an opportunity to discuss the fundamental role of security personnel in enhancing the protection of children in fragile contexts. The event demonstrated the global understanding of this cardinal aspect of armed conflict, allowed participants to share their experiences, provided a contextual reflection on the challenges the region faces with the recruitment and use of children by organized crime, and concluded with a consensus on the importance of including the capacity to protect children in armed conflict as part of security sector training.
Participating speakers over the three-day event included:
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Children and Armed Conflict – Virginia Gamba
Civil Protection Officers and the Commander of stabilization support mission – MONUSCO mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo
UNICEF Mozambique representative
Ministries of Defence Representatives from Chile, Colombia, Paraguay and Uruguay
Save the Children – Kenya
The USA Interamerican Defense College
University of Manitoba, Canada
Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding, Egypt
BEBRAPAZ – Brazilian Network on Peace Operations
IMES & ENOPU, Uruguay
The event was organized by Colonel (R) Roberto Gil, a consultant and instructor at the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security, with the support of the members of CECOPAC - the center for peace operations of Chile.
This seminar was an excellent example of partnership in action to increase knowledge and understanding of the devastating consequences of the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict, and in raising awareness of the central role of security forces in protecting children from grave violations in armed conflict.
We hope that the success of this event marks the beginning of a fruitful relationship between the Dallaire Institute and ALCOPAZ to build capacity and increase effectiveness in the regional security forces to prevent the recruitment and use of children and contribute to breaking the cycle of violence.
Violence against children is preventable and we can make a significant difference.
