Doha, Qatar – February 16, 2025 – The Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies (CHS), in collaboration with the Analysis and Outreach Hub of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG CAAC) in Doha, organized a training workshop titled: “Promoting Awareness of the Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) Agenda and Child-Sensitive Mediation". The workshop took place on 16 February 2025 and was held at CHS.
This workshop was attended by master's students from the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, along with employees from the Qatar Fund for Development. Through interactive discussions and experiential learning activities, participants gained a profound understanding of the challenges faced by children in conflict settings and the importance of practical tools and strategies for integrating child-sensitive approaches into peacebuilding efforts, diplomacy, and humanitarian action.
The workshop began with welcoming remarks by Dr. Mohammad Alsousi, Senior Fellow at CHS, followed by a video message from Ms. Virginia Gamba, the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict, and Ms. Shamsa Al-Falasi from Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD). Throughout three sessions, participants were offered a comprehensive overview of the Children and Armed Conflict Agenda, and its activities, strategies, and responsibilities in complex conflict settings. Mr. Dawoud Almassri, the Head of the Analysis and Outreach Hub in Doha, stressed that this initiative reflects the Hub's commitment to fostering stronger connections with academic and research institutions.
Key Insights into the CAAC Agenda and Child Protection:
Participants had the opportunity to explore key aspects of the CAAC agenda, including:
The international legal and policy framework governing child protection in conflict settings.
The UN mandate, focusing on the roles of the General Assembly and Security Council in addressing children's rights and protection.
The six grave violations against children in times of conflicts, shedding light on their impact and implications.
Practical Perspectives on the CAAC Agenda:
A central focus of the workshop was to build a better understanding of policy approaches and collaborative efforts in child protection. Through interactive sessions, participants gained valuable knowledge and skills on the practical implementation of the CAAC agenda. They explored the mechanisms used for monitoring and reporting activities, the actions taken to prevent and address grave violations against children, and the importance of accountability in such efforts.
The workshop also focused on key contemporary trends, offering an in-depth analysis to enhance participants' understanding of emerging challenges and developments. Additionally, the roles of regional, national, and global partners in advancing child protection efforts were thoroughly examined.
CAAC-Sensitive Mediation for Child Protection in Conflict Settings:
An essential contribution of the workshop was its focus on CAAC-sensitive mediation, an area in which CHS has been deeply engaged. Participants acquired valuable knowledge and understanding of the strategies and steps necessary for effective mediation, ensuring that these efforts align with the principles and priorities of CAAC to protect children in conflict settings. Their understanding was further enhanced through practical case study exercises, which provided real-world examples of the challenges and opportunities encountered in mediation efforts, offering valuable insights into on-the-ground realities.
The event concluded with a comprehensive evaluation of the workshop and the distribution of certificates to participants who successfully completed the program. This marked a significant contribution by the collaborating partners to advancing expertise in this critical field of child protection during conflicts.
About the Organizers
CHS: The Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies focuses on producing in-depth research, building specialised capacities, and guiding policies aimed at promoting peace and resolving conflicts through diverse and multi-track dialogues.
SRSG-CAAC: The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict is an entity established by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children in armed conflict.