Dalhousie’s Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security receives $2 million donation

HALIFAX, N.S. — To help fight against the recruitment of children to war, Dalhousie University’s Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security has received a $2 million donation from the Fondation Monbourquette.

Funding will be used to help the institute establish strategies for improving international peace and security and to stop the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts.

The institute has delivered recruitment prevention training to over 15,000 security forces globally and contributed to over 50 policy resources on children and armed conflict worldwide using an approach that focuses on safeguarding children and understanding the implications for the security sector.

“Considering the many hostilities worldwide, there is a clear need for action and solutions that advance a children’s peace and security agenda. Placing children’s protection and rights at the forefront of this agenda is key,” said Dallaire Institute executive director Shelly Whitman.

“This transformative gift provides a solid foundation for us to lead this effort. It will enable us to continue to be champions for children, both at home and internationally, to change the attitudes and behaviours that result in the use of children in armed violence, and to contribute to a more peaceful world.”

With new funding, the institute plans to speed up implementing the Vancouver Principles on peacekeeping and child soldier recruitment, expand its recruitment prevention capacity-building initiatives in Africa and Latin America, and engage more children and communities in the effort to prevent armed violence against young people.