Kon Kelei, Zlata Filipović and Ishmael Beah are three of the founders of the Network of Young People Affected by War (NYPAW). Although from different countries, the three have gone through similar experiences growing in places affected by war and have turned these into good by starting a network that helps other children or war..

Kon Kelei
Kon was raised as a child soldier in Sudan after having been kidnapped by rebels at the age of four or five, but managed to flee to the Netherlands. Now studying International Law and European Rights Issues, he works as public relations officer for War Child and played a part in the film ‘The Silent Army’.

Zlata Filipović
Zlata Filipović lived in Bosnia during the war. In order to deal with some of her experiences at that time, she wrote in a dairy which has now been published under the title 'Zlata’s Diary'.

Ismael Beah
Ismael Beah was a former child soldier in Sierra Leone and wrote the international bestseller ‘A long way gone: memoirs of a boy soldier’. 

NYPAW
Founded with the support of War Child Holland, the network currently operates through six members. Their vision is to create a world where children are not used in war situations. A world that is just, inclusive and supports the participation of young people in acheiving that vision.

Read here about Kon Kelei and Grace Akallo at the July 2009 conference in Rome: 'Children and Young People Affected by War: Learn, Understand, Act'.


Role models
Kon, Zlata, Ishmael and the others aim to serve as role models for children affected by war worldwide. They feel that by joining forces in this network, they will be able to use their advantageous position to inspire other children who are recovering from war to speak out. At the same time, they aim to assist organizations working to help children of war and prevent their employment in armed conflicts.

Support NYPAW
Leave a personal message to Ishmael, Kon, Zlata and the other members of NYPAW offering your support. Or send them a message to give to the young people affected by war who they help. Some of your contributions may be published on the NYPAW website which will be live in a few weeks.







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