#OpenDebateCAC

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Weekly Roundup July 30 to August 5

LATEST SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON CHILDREN AND ARMED CONFLICT LINKS CONFLICT PREVENTION AND CHILD PROTECTION

“The UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2427 on July 9, during the Council’s annual Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict (CAC), held under the presidency of Sweden.”

“Put forward by the Permanent Mission of Sweden, Resolution 2427 had 98 co-sponsors, marking a significant increase from previous CAC resolutions. The resolution commits the Council to taking concrete action in response to grave violations committed against children in conflict, and addresses several points included in Watchlist’s messaging. Specifically, the resolution emphasizes the importance of integrating child protection into conflict prevention and conflict resolution strategies, calling on Member States, UN entities, and other relevant actors to include child protection provisions – especially those related to release and reintegration of children formerly associated with armed forces and groups – into all peace negotiations, ceasefire and peace agreements, and provisions for their monitoring.”

Read the full Resolution 2427 (2018) HERE

South Sudan - Child Soldiers International

“Building on the success of our work in DR Congo, we will be talking to girls who have returned from armed groups, their communities and child protection organisations in South Sudan, then developing a Practical Guide which will advise communities on steps they can take to support the girls’ return to civilian life.”

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Amarula Raises Global Awareness About Elephant Conservation on World Elephant Day

“Amarula, the best-selling South African cream liqueur, announced today the start of their awareness and fundraising campaign in Canada to save the African elephant. In partnership with the renowned conservation group, WildlifeDirect, Amarula will be launching the 2018 "Don't Let Them Disappear" campaign in various countries globally, including South Africa, the United States, Brazil and Germany. The campaign aims to raise awareness in protecting the world's declining African elephant population.”

Retweet To Help Make Sure Elephants Don't Disappear Starting August 6, the @AmarulaElephant Twitter account and hashtag, #AmarulaTrust, will be launched, giving a voice to the elephant ice sculpture, who will share its story in real-time, spreading the word about the disappearance of its brothers and sisters in Africa – before itself disappearing. With the help of Canadians, Amarula Canada will be donating $1 for each of the first 10,000 retweets on World Elephant Day, to the Amarula Trust's impactful global conservation efforts, in partnership with WildlifeDirect.

Loewe Partners With Kenyan Craftspeople For Elephant Conservation

“To put an end to poaching, Loewe has partnered with Samburu craftspeople on a limited-edition, embroidered range of its tan, mini elephant shaped bags.”

“All sales proceeds will be donated to the Elephant Crisis Fund to support the Knot On My Planet Campaign — a project that involves celebrities, influencers, and brands to raise funds for initiatives aimed at stopping poachers and ivory traffickers.”

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Weekly Roundup July 9 to 15

UNSCR Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) was held on July 9th, 2018 

The United Nations Security Council (UNSCR) unanimously adopts Resolution 2427 on children and armed conflict!

"Adoption of Resolution 2427 strengthens both the children and armed conflict and prevention agendas", says Sweden's Prime Minister Stefan Löfven. "Reintegration is not just in the best interest of the child but also best interested of communities."

Canada co-sponsored Sweden's resolution demanding accountability for all violations of children’s rights and framing child soldiers as victims rather than criminals.

UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Welcomes New Security Council Resolution

"It is up to us to prevent the conflicts of tomorrow, by protecting children today."

"Place peace first by placing children first" - UNICEF Chief

“Last year, 12,000 children were released and reintegrated into their communities”, says UNICEF Chief.

UNICEF Nigeria welcomes release of over 180 children suspected of Boko Haram ties from administrative custody

San Marino endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration, making for 3 new endorsements - 78 countries and counting are working to protect education in war. Here's why!

Many countries also showed support for the Straight 18 standard, stating it's 'inconceivable' that 43 states still recruit under 18′s in their national armed forces.

Overall, 92 statements were made and 1 important resolution (2427) was adopted, co-sponsored by 98 member states. This marked the first UNSC resolution to resolve around the central principle that children in armed conflict should be treated primarily as victims.

You can find updates from all day (July 9th) on Watchlist for Children and Armed Conflict’s Twitter page HERE!

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Further Child Soldiers News

How World Vision does child protection around the world

“More than half of the world’s children experience some form of violence every year. World Vision protects children and looks out
 for their well-being by ensuring communities and faith leaders 
are actively working to identify 
and support children in need; advocating for children’s rights; and providing for immediate needs, such as emergency shelter and essential care.”

ESCAPING LRA CAPTIVITY

“Making the decision and finding the opportunity to escape captivity is incredibly brave, but it’s only the first step toward freedom and safety. For many, the danger is not over once they manage to escape.”

My journey to hell and back: From child soldier to refugee to World Vision employee

Are They Soldiers? Or Are They Children? Preparing the Canadian Military for the Contemporary Security Environment

Read this policy brief by Lindsay Coombs.

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Wildlife Conservation

Wildlife Poaching and Trafficking: Combating a Source of Terrorist Funding

Date: Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Time: 8:45am - 9:45am EST

Location: U.S. Institute of Peace 2301 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, District Of Columbia 20037

Who Will Save the Elephants?

Legal EU ivory sales 'condemn elephants' 

“The open, legal sale of antique ivory in many European countries is covering up a trade in illegal and recently poached ivory, campaigners say. Researchers from environmental group Avaaz bought 100 ivory items and had them radiocarbon dated at Oxford University.”

“Three quarters were modern ivory, being sold illegally as fake antiques. Ivory from an elephant killed by poachers as recently as 2010 was among the items passed off as being antique.”

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Other News

How murals are helping transforms landscapes

Featuring Artolution - the art of healing.

DM&E for Peace - Human Rights Hub

NEW! “The Human Rights Hub is a community platform for collaboration and the sharing of best practices in Human Rights programming.”