Armed conflicts have been recognized to have a negative impact on children and their families. In recent times, terrorism has emerged, where communities have been attacked, lives, and property destroyed and persons, including children are kidnapped, transported and confined in secret holding grounds.
In many countries, children and their families have been killed, injured and displaced by armed conflicts or terrorism, yet this violence seems to be a normal occurrence around the world. There is, therefore, a need for all stakeholders, including state and non-state actors, in the children’s sector to hold a dialogue and build consensus on how to reduce the impact of armed conflict and terrorism on children globally.
It is on this basis, therefore, that The African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) and The International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) are announcing an International Conference on the Impact of Armed Conflict and Terrorism on Children to be held in Nairobi, Kenya, in February 2016. The conference aims to bring together key actors, such as governments, international bodies, civil society and faith-based organizations to deliberate on the impact of armed conflict and terrorism on children with a goal of coming up with strategies for protecting children caught up in such situations.
- To review and recognize the conventional and emerging forms of conflict, including; wide spread terrorism and their impact on children.
- To provide an opportunity to share information on research, practices and efforts being made towards prevention and protection of children in situations of armed conflict.
- To provide a forum to review the status of ratification and implementation of key international conventions, treaties and policies regarding children affected by armed conflicts, including terrorism.