A resounding call to redefine the role of children in conflict echoed through Nairobi as global leaders and security experts declared that sustainable peace is impossible without them. The Global Conference on Advancing Children's Roles in Peace Processes, which concluded on November 19, urged policymakers to move beyond rhetoric and embed children's voices into every stage of peacemaking.

The forum's urgency is underscored by grim new data. A recent UN report revealed a staggering 25% surge in grave violations against children in conflict zones in 2024. For Kenyans, this isn't a distant statistic. With instability simmering in neighbouring regions like Somalia and South Sudan, the resolutions from this summit have direct implications for national and regional security, potentially shaping how Kenya prevents and resolves conflicts that spill across its borders, affecting families and economies.

From Victims to Architects

Hosted by the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace, and Security, the three-day event brought together a formidable coalition of mediators, diplomats, African Union officials, and youth delegates. The central theme was a radical shift in perspective. “This gathering is more than a conference. It is a critical step to ensure that children are not only protected from conflict but recognised as agents of positive peace,” emphasized Dr. Shelly Whitman, the Institute's Executive Director.

This view is not merely charitable but a legal obligation under international and African charters, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Child delegates at the conference issued concrete demands, including:

• Prioritizing dialogue to resolve conflicts before they escalate.
• Endorsing the Safe Schools Declaration to protect education from attack.
• Ensuring the prosecution of those who violate children's rights in war.

Kenya's Stake in a Safer Future

The Kenyan government affirmed its commitment to this new approach. Arthur Olanda, Director of Peace and Security at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, noted that genuine inclusion is paramount. “Sustainable peace is only possible when grounded in the protection, empowerment, and genuine inclusion of all people, including children and youth,” Olanda stated. He highlighted Kenya's National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security and its support for regional child protection frameworks as proof of this commitment.

The continental stakes are immense. According to a 2025 report by the Peace Research Institute Oslo, Africa has the highest number of children living in conflict zones, totaling 218 million in 2024. These children face recruitment, displacement, and the collapse of education systems. By hosting this and other key forums, such as the Fifth International Conference on the Safe Schools Declaration, Nairobi is cementing its role as a critical hub for global peace and youth advocacy.

As the summit closed, the message was clear: peace agreements built without the input of the youngest generation are built on sand. The true test will be whether the powerful words spoken in Nairobi translate into meaningful action in the world's most violent corners, offering a generation of children a chance not just to survive, but to build the future.