Growing up in a non-violent environment is essential for a child’s healthy psychosocial development and well-being. In conflict-affected areas a wide variety of divided groups may exist and oppose each other, such as belligerent ethnic groups, former child soldiers versus their communities and young people versus adults. Negative social dynamics such as exclusion, stigmatization, dropout, segregation, isolation, hatred and violence may be the result of this. These dynamics can negatively affect the growth of children into balanced adults. In addition, many societies do not involve children and young people in decision-making processes that affect them.
War Child strives for transformation of negative social dynamics within conflict affected communities by increasing opportunities for positive peer and child-adult interaction. War Child implements awareness raising and advocacy activities on community and society level, to support peace and reconciliation processes. War Child also advocates for the participation of children and young people in decision making processes affecting them.


Back