NEWS
TRAININGS
Mediation and the Protection of Children in Armed Conflict – Intensive Advanced Course
27-30 October 2025
Hybrid Format (Rome Institute of Political Studies San Pius the V & Online)
In contemporary conflict scenarios, children are among the most affected and yet often the least considered in mediation and peacebuilding efforts. The inclusion of child protection strategies in peace negotiations and conflict resolution mechanisms is not only a legal obligation but also a fundamental step towards sustainable peace and the safeguarding of future generations. Recognizing this crucial need, the Universities Network for Children in Armed Conflict, with the support of the Institute of Political Studies San Pius the V and the Milan Chamber of Arbitration is pleased to present an intensive advanced course dedicated to exploring the nexus between mediation and child protection.
This course aims to provide participants with legal frameworks, operational tools, and negotiation practices to ensure that children’s rights and needs are at the heart of peace processes.
The Network aims to promote analysis and research activities with a view to enhancing the social and legal protection of boy and girl children involved in armed conflict. The Network will also provide activities aimed at increasing the awareness of the spreading phenomenon of the consequences for children involved in armed conflict both when they are direct victims and also when they are affected indirectly by violations to their families and communities (i.e. early school leaving).
The Conferences organized by the Network are specifically focused on the protection of girl children as affected by specific gender-based violations in armed conflict. The Conferences are organized with the aim to promote and increase a dialogue within the academic community both at the national and the international level, with a view to contributing to enhance the protection of girl children.
More than 40 Universities and Research Centers of different countries from Europe, Middle East, Africa, North and Latin America have already joined the Network, and more will join.
If you are an Institution interested to be part of the Network, please write us with your proposals.
THE NETWORK
The Universities Network for Children in Armed Conflict (UNETCHAC), launched in November 2020, represents the first International Academic Network with the aim to enhance the role of the Academic Community in the Protection of Children directly and indirectly involved in Armed Conflict.
The activities promoted by UNETCHAC see participation of more than 40 universities and research centers coming from different geographical areas such as Europe, Africa, Middle East and Americas; some of these universities and research centers located in conflict zones.
On 31 March 2023, the Association Universities Network for Children in Armed Conflict (UNETCHAC) was established (registered in Rome on 6 April 2023, no. 10920, Series 1T, REPERTOIRE N 11 COLLECTION N 5).
