The Children and Armed Conflict Series contains three conversations hosted by CPC Learning Network, the Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict and ChildFund Alliance, between June and December 2024. These conversations discuss the current state of children's involvement in armed conflict, the problems of widespread detention of children and deprivation of citizenship, and actions that researchers and organizations can take to address these challenges.

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Conversation #1: Unpacking Childrens' Involvement

This first webinar brings together a panel of experts to discuss the root causes leading to recruitment and involvement in activitiesof armed groups as well as the current context in countries such as Haiti, Sudan, Colombia, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and more. Dr. Ezequiel Heffes, Director of Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict moderates a conversation between our guest panelists Omar Ahmed, the Head of Africa Region for Geneva Call; Ioana Cismas, Professor at the University of York (UK) and Principal Investigator at Beyond ComplianceConsortium; Shyamala Alagendra, International Criminal Lawyer; and Ahmad Salem, Child Protection Advisor for CAFAAG Reintegration at War Child.

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Conversation #2: Detained and Denationalized‍

From Al Hol, Syria, to Israel to Northern Nigeria, children accused of association with armed groups are increasingly held in detention, often without charge or under conditions that violate their rights under international law. Undergirding this detention is a narrative that portrays children as perpetrators of violence, or even “terrorists”, rather than victims of violence. In detention, children can face ill treatment, sexual violence and torture. Based on UN reports, at least 2,491 children were detained for actual or alleged association with armed groups in 2024. This webinar discusses the widespread detention and ill treatment of children accused of association with armed groups. Moderator Ling San Lau, Associate Research Scientist at CPC Learning Network, was joined by Eitan Diamond of Diakonia International Law Centre; Julia Joerin, Child Protection Advisor at the International Committee of the Red Cross; and Janine Morna, Thematics Researcher on Children at Amnesty International.

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Conversation #3: Turning Commitments Into Action‍

In our third webinar in the Children and Armed Conflict Series, our panelists discuss the publication of the most recent Watchlist report, disability and armed conflict, and the role of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). We were joined by panelists Rob Grace, Lead Researcher, Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict; Mikiko Otani, Member and former Chair of the Committee on the Rights of the Child; and Laura Perez, Co-Director, Human Rights and Humanitarian Policy Concentration, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). The conversation was moderated by Faith Nimineh, Senior Advisor, Humanitarian Affairs, ChildFund Alliance.

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