International Conference on War-Affected Childern

What is working?

· NGO initiatives.
· Nothing is being done.

· Laws and regulations on the papers are being executed.

· Trauma centers are working during the conflict in Northern Ireland.

· The youth empowerment in Sri Lanka will illegally steal food to help the people.

· Organisations give legal support to the people like CIDA support.

· Between the youth there is more help in Burundi.

They have associations among themselves because the adult associations don't understand them.

What isn't working?

· Alarm for air danger does not exist or is not on time.

· UNRWA isn't receiving enough funding to provide quality education to refugees.

· We're not listening to children enough.

· UN should do more to prevent the issue of landmines.

· Medical care and education do not work.

· No security for children and women.

· No signs telling the danger of land mines for children and people in land mine areas in Bosnia.

· Not always enough food and services in Colombia.

· In Sri Lanka, there is no support for children.

· Only after the conflict there is support.

· The food that is distributed is usually given to big villages, so the people that really need the food (the villagers) don't get it. The humanitarian resources are very badly distributed.

Resolutions / Recommendations

· The UN should establish care-centers for children in order to protect them against danger.

· Psychological counselling for children affected by war provided by communities (NGO and other organisations).

· International commitment to ensure children are not turned into soldiers.

· Stop sanctions and find a better way to resolve conflict.

· More support to FAWE.

· Governments should fund healing programs for children.

· International pressures to allow medical support whit in conflict areas.

· Provide medication and educational programs for children.

· Stop producing landmines.

· Declare safety zones by governments, the UNHCR and the rebels for civilians.

· The money spent on ammunition should be spent on violent prevention and education.

· Hospitals, religious institutions, playgrounds and schools should be safety zones.

· Act on the recommendations.

· Stop corruption and embezzlements.

· UN and concerned governments to intervene where children's rights are violated without security council decisions.

· Encourage youth intervention in conflicts.

· Visit the countries touched by war.

· Organise intervention before a conflict occurs.

· The UN international community and other organisations should pay more attention to African children.

· We should protect the whole family and not only the child.

· Easier access into Canada for child refugees and immigrants.

· Children have the right to return home.

What youth can do?

· The youth can take actions to change the systems of schools and the systems of their lives.

· Raise awareness on the problem to make it visible in all levels in the society and call for action to protect and integrate the children victims.

· Sensitivity programs through media counselling workshops to keep youth together and have awareness of what is happening.

· By forming children's safety clubs and train them to protect their peers.

· Pressuring government and the UN.

· Raise money so we can sponsor more refugees to Canada.

· To build safe shelters.

· Petition to the government/UN to more strictly implement it's policies regarding the protection of the children in countries in conflict and encourage consequences in regard of the breaking of the policy.

· Design programs to assist disabled children.

Youth are helpless therefore adults should double up their efforts.

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