The Children in Migration Subcommittee of the NGO Committee on Migration (CoM) co-authored a statement in recognition of the International Day of Peace (21 September), titled Invest in Children, Invest in Peace: Advancing Children’s Rights in Conflict and Displacement.
The statement acknowledges that lasting peace is built upon safety, dignity, and social justice. This lasting peace begins with children, who are the most vulnerable to the consequences of conflict and humanitarian crises, which often result in forced displacement. It calls upon UN Member States and the international community to:
- Improve implementation of the existing legal obligations regarding children’s rights in conflict and humanitarian settings by investing in trauma-sensitive and culturally-responsive early childhood development (ECD) programs.
- Invest in implementation science to strengthen ECD programs in policy and practice.
- Invest in local actors, as a peacebuilding strategy, to improve program delivery and strengthen local ownership, social cohesion, and community resilience.
- Invest in rights-based alternatives to child immigration detention that protect children on the move, preserve family unity, and uphold the best interests of every child.
Click here to read the full statement.