On the Occasion of the 35th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Stomping for Peace: an event on children’s voices and recommendations for a peaceful world
Tuesday, November 19th, 2024, 1:15-2:30 p.m.,
Event will be hybrid – in person at UN HQ in NY (CR 7) and livestreamed
Spanish and French interpretation available
Organizers
Organized by SOS Children’s Villages International and the Permanent Mission of Belgium to the UN
Supported by the Permanent Mission of Canada to the UN, the Permanent Mission of Guatemala to the UN and the Permanent Mission of Uruguay to the UN
Background
The occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on November 20th serves as a reminder that millions of children continue to suffer from the devastating effects of violence and conflict both in countries experiencing armed conflict and not directly affected by it. Children in war and conflict zones face unimaginable hardships: displacement, loss of family, care and protection and long lasting physical and emotional trauma. In conflict-free regions, children are not immune to the ripple effects of these conflicts. Global news of war and violence causes deep emotional distress, with children expressing feelings of fear, anxiety, frustration and lack of trust in governments and institutions. As the world faces more frequent and intense conflicts, the well-being of children, and thus societies, remains at risk both directly and indirectly.
With its global presence, SOS Children’s Villages acts upon and works to address the daily harm inflicted upon children by conflict and violence. Based on the believe in the importance of child participation and the need to listen to children’s opinions and advice in their own language SOS Children’s Villages launched Stomping for Peace, a global campaign giving a channel to children to express their desire for peace and safety and communicate how they perceive war and violence.
Currently developed in 38 countries, children come together through different national actions to make their voices heard and literally stomp on the ground to express their disappointment and call for peace.
By truly hearing children, policymakers can discover innovative solutions they may not have considered, rooted in the unique perspectives and lived experiences of the youngest members of society. Through this movement, we aim to unite society in the pursuit of the peace children need and deserve.
In this context the organizers of the event want to deliver, learn from and reflect upon the messages from children around the world emerging of the ‘Stomping for Peace’ Campaign; it will foster a reflection around how decision-makers must uphold Articles 38, 6 and 19 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in order to set the basis to achieve all other rights. Event panelists and guests will raise awareness of the long term and at times intergenerational personal and social impact that lack of peace creates in children and will share how the international community can do better to prevent conflict, end existing wars and protect children at all times.
Objectives
- Ensure that the voices of children are listened to, heard and acted on, by those who have the power to create change for children all children affected by conflict and violence
- Bring together relevant stakeholders and decision makers to reflect on how to take forward children’s call to action to create more peaceful societies for children
Raise awareness of the unexplored long-lasting impact of conflict and lack of peace in children.
- Invite partners to support children in joining the Stomping for Peace campaign and share their view
Event schedule
Opening remarks
- H.E. Amb. Philippe Kridelka, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Belgium to the UN
- Hilde Boeykens, Chief Executive Officer, SOS Children’s Villages Belgium
Video about "Stomping for peace"
Panel Discussion
- Children’s messages to the UN- via video
- Children’s experiences and realities in their own words- via video
- Lily Gray, Senior Liaison Officer, UNESCO
- Dragica Mikavica, Program Officer, Office of the SRSG on Children and Armed Conflict
- Laura Perez, Co-Director, Human Rights and Humanitarian Policy Concentration, School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), Columbia University
- Sophie Ndong, National Director, SOS Children’s Villages Sierra Leone
Q&A, comments from the floor
Closing
- H.E. Amb. José Alberto Bríz Gutiérrez, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Guatemala to the UN
Moderated by Sofía García García, Representative to the UN, SOS Children’s Villages International