Child Soldiers Initiative

From July 16-20, 2007, at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center in Accra, Ghana, Search For Common Ground, along with its partners, LGen The Honorable Roméo A. Dallaire, Senator; USAID’s Displaced Children and Orphans’ Fund (DCOF); UNICEF Canada; the University of Victoria; andthe Pearson Peacekeeping Center conducted Exercise Prodigal Child.

"An excellent simulation whose robust nature lent itself to in depth exploration of the problem"

This interactive simulation allowed fifty experts from around the world, to practice implementing various approaches within a range of scenarios reflecting actual events around the recruitment of child soldiers. The simulation captured the diversity of expertise and backgrounds, as there were 47 male and female participants, experts in their fields, from around the world, 30% of which came from countries where child soldiers have either been used or are currently being used. They represented a wide range of disciplinary fields including former child soldiers, government and policy makers, military personnel, peacekeepers, media, humanitarians and human rights advocates, development and conflict transformation specialists, all engaged on the issue of child soldiers. Each participant played a role in the simulation, based on his or her real-life experience and skills, creating a rich environment in which they were able to develop and test a new conceptual framework to prevent the recruitment of child soldiers. The presence of former child soldiers and youth leaders added a unique and valuable perspective to each groups of the simulation.

"On a pretty deep level, I learned I could work with the people on my team in an integrated approach without departing from my ethical or child protection obligations. I can work with these guys!"

The participants were divided into three multi-disciplinary Tiger Teams, simulating integrated working groups within an ongoing UN peacekeeping mission, in the fictitious country of Fontinalis. The Exercise Senior Staff, led by an SRSG (Special Representative of the Secretary General), tasked the teams to work together to develop collaborative strategies to prevent the use and recruitment of children into armed forces. Passionate discussions, poignant stories shared by LGen Romeo Dallaire, as well as inspiring success stories of former child soldiers, provided an immensely valuable perspective to the multi-disciplinary groups’ deliberations, working towards a The results were two fold: first the participants developed action plans that will feed into the next phase of the Child Soldiers Initiative, and second the participants themselves increased their own knowledge and understanding of the work being done by other actors, strengthening their own capacity to coordinate and collaborate in their day-to-day operations.

"Overall it was a highly productive week, and it was enriched by the human caliber of the participants. Many thanks to the organizers for their vision, preparedness and spirit of building a better world for children"

Simulation group photo - click to enlarge