Never Again
by Melanie Tomsons – International Correspondent in Kigali

Over 109 participants assembled in Winnipeg,  Manitoba for an international workshop on child soldiers. Expanding the Dialogue: Preventing the Use of Children as Soldiers, was the first step of a three part project aimed at finding new collaborative approaches for dealing with this issue. The workshop brought together a diverse array of actors to develop a joint framework designed to eradicate the use of child soldiers. Senator Romeo Dallaire gave a strong indictment on the failure of humanity to give proper attention to our youth. Dallaire recognized the need for an integrated dimension in building a doctrine to eliminate the use of child soldiers.

Dallaire emphasized that we have a responsibility to protect and to assist those children at risk. His hope was that the workshop would get at the heart of the concept of using children as instruments of war. In so doing, participants would generate ideas that could be molded and transformed into solutions which could ultimately prevent the use of children in conflict situations.

One of the integrative components of the workshop was the diversity of the participants. Participants in the respective sessions comprised of military personnel, government policy makers, academics, humanitarian and human rights workers, and youth. The collaborative efforts of the workshop recognized that the gap must be bridged between stakeholders at multiple levels. Youth and children focused mechanisms must be in place in order to combat the weapons system of child soldiers.

In order to eradicate the problem of child soldiers, there must be a stronger focus on youth which involves holistic community-based approaches to reintegration. Indeed, the empowerment and political engagement of youth is an essential component of stopping the horrific reality of child soldiers. Youth have the power to change! It became clear, however, that youth are lacking the opportunity to engage in policymaking and that this must be rectified. When youth are engaged as peacebuilders, at multiple levels, they are more able to advise fellow youth as to where they are going astray. Engaging youth as peacebuilders scores countless goals in recognizing that peer pressure is a large component of the problem of child soldiers.

By engaging in peer awareness and allowing youth to be a part of the entire process, Never Again International – Canada is walking side by side with Senator Romeo Dallaire in his mission to prevent the use of child soldiers throughout the world. Never Again International – Canada’s Training for Trainers camp, which is to take place this upcoming fall, will build on Romeo Dallaire’s work with child soldiers. Never Again recognizes the importance of supporting youth to youth dialogue to build a sustainable peace.