12 September 2008
First News - the award-winning weekly children’s newspaper - launches its schools campaign today, Conflict Children, which we are supporting with Save the Children.
The aim is to raise awareness amongst UK children of the effects of war on children and for them to have a voice in supporting children living in conflict zones.
Running over the next year, Conflict Children aims to involve every school in the UK. The campaign draws attention to the millions of children around the world affected by conflict and calls for an end to the use of child soldiers. It will enable children in the UK to learn about conflict and to have a voice about issues that concern them.
Millions of children around the world are affected by conflict. Their normal lives are disrupted, often leaving them with little to eat, and no access to healthcare or education. They may become separated from their families and, with their homes destroyed, many become refugees.
Readers told First News they wanted to do something to help children who are just like them, but are affected by conflict. In particular they wanted to help the 200,000 to 300,000 children in more than 20 countries who are direct participants in war - child soldiers who are denied a childhood and are often subjected to horrific violence that we cannot begin to imagine.
The Campaign will run throughout the 2008-9 academic year and the aim is to involve every school in the UK. It is supported by an educational resource pack devised for 7-14 year olds.
By taking part in the campaign, children in the UK will gain an understanding of some of the causes and effects of conflict, how conflict can be prevented, and how resolution and recovery can be brought about.
They will also play their own part in helping to change the world for children affected by conflict.
By joining the campaign, each school will sign a letter of support to Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, and David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, calling for an end to the use of child soldiers and protection for all children from the effects of conflict. First News will ask the UK government to share the views of UK children wherever possible during the next year.
Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development:
"I’m delighted at this international campaign to help children affected by conflict.
"This is a crucial issue for the future of our planet and we will be working closely with First News and Save the Children to make sure the voices of British children are heard around the world.”
David Miliband, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
"Sadly, wars affect millions of people around the world. But it is particularly sad when children are the victims of war - when they lose their parents, their homes, or even their lives.
"This campaign highlights the important issue of children damaged by conflict. It is a great opportunity for British children to learn about the issue and to find out what they can do to help."
We work closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to help children affected by conflict. Together, we work with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and governments worldwide to help prevent conflict, reduce its impact and build peace.
The UK government funds national governments, the United Nations, and charities like Save the Children to run aid programmes to deal with the effects of conflict on communities and to help prevent and resolve conflict.
We manage a Conflict Prevention Pool to help prevent violent conflict, stop it from recurring and enable societies to rebuild. We also run a Stabilisation Aid Fund to support countries in particularly hostile situations that are emerging from conflict like Afghanistan and Iraq.
Bookmark with:
What are Bookmarks?
