On February 8, SDG Advocate Forest Whitaker delivered a video message to Member States and other stakeholders attending the General Assembly’s Commemoration of the twentieth anniversary of the mandate on children and armed conflict.
“Because they fully recognise the rights of children as well as the connection between security and sustainable development … the SDGs are an opportunity to address the deep roots of conflict,” said Mr Whitaker in his video message.
Mr Whitaker described youth in conflict-affected areas as “partners to implement the sustainable developments goals in remote communities.” In particular, Mr Whitaker noted that providing entrepreneurship, conflict resolution, ICT, and vocational training to conflict-affected youth as his foundation, the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative, does, can help youth “heal inside, so that they can heal their communities.”
The Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict is tasked with strengthening the protection of children affected by armed conflict, raising awareness, promoting the collection of information about the plight of children affected by war and fostering international cooperation to improve the protection of children. The mandate of the Special Representative was created by the General Assembly (Resolution A/RES/51/77) following the publication, in 1996, of a report by fellow SDG Advocate Graça Machel titled the “Impact of Armed Conflict on Children”.
For more information on the mandate, click here.