Improving outcomes for children associated with armed forces in UN peacekeeping operations

This project aims to increase the effectiveness of United Nations (UN) peace operations to prevent the recruitment and use of child soldiers by enhancing coordination between UN peacekeepers and Child Protection Actors (CPAs) to promote child protection efforts even after a peacekeeping mission ends. Project activities include: (1) conducting research on child protection needs in the Central African Republic the Democratic Republic of Congo Mali and South Sudan; (2) reviewing and strengthening the technical knowledge of UNICEF’s network to better support CPAs in their regions and contexts; and (3) sharing technical expertise capacity and help shape future direction for child protection in armed conflict.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) increased evidence on the strengths and challenges for collaboration between civilian protection and peacekeeping actors for the protection of children; and (2) improved technical knowledge and exchange for practitioners supporting children in conflict settings to promote the continuity of child protection work including after the UN peacekeeping mission ends. The expected ultimate outcome of the project is to increase the effectiveness of UN peace operations to prevent the recruitment and use of child soldiers.