Source description last updated: 8 April 2020

In brief: Founded in 2007 by Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire, a retired Canadian senator and general, who served as Force Commander of UNAMIR, the Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative, which is situated at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada, aims to prevent the recruitment and use of child soldiers worldwide.

Coverage on ecoi.net:

Country reports for countries of priorities A-C.

Monthly coverage on ecoi.net.

Mission/Mandate/Objectives:

“We intend to increase knowledge and skills and change the attitudes of enough individuals to create widespread, systemic change. [...] Together we can build the momentum necessary to achieve our vision: ‘a world where the recruitment and use of children as weapons of war is unthinkable.’” (The Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative: The Dallaire Initiative Strategic Plan 2019-2022, 2019, p. 9)

“[...] we are focused on four core activities:

  • Developing a network of champions;
  • Applying research to practice;
  • Influencing policy and doctrine;
  • Training and building capacity.

Our work in these areas seek [sic!] to change the behaviour of individuals by increasing knowledge, skills and attitudes of those who directly and indirectly influence a child’s environment. In conflict affected countries, a child’s environment is often shaped by the work of the security sector actors. Therefore, we are seeking a critical mass of people in the security sector, along with support from civilian policy makers and practitioners to prioritize the safety of children. This will significantly contribute to progressively ending the recruitment and use of child soldiers, beginning with the youngest children first, and then over time, all those who are underage.” (The Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative: The Dallaire Initiative Strategic Plan 2019-2022, 2019, p. 12)

The Initiative’s aims are “[i]mproved operational effectiveness of the security sector in nations contributing to peace support missions through a Children’s Rights Upfront Approach”, to “[r]educe the number of states where children are recruited and used as soldiers”, to “[i]ncrease and empower global champions for a Children’s Rights Upfront Approach” and to “[s]trengthen the operational effectiveness of the organization to achieve [...] strategic aims”. (The Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative: The Dallaire Initiative Strategic Plan 2019-2022, 2019, p. 13-16)

In 2019, the Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative took over the international programs from Child Soldiers International, which closed its operations on 7 June, 2019. (Bloomberg: The Dallaire Initiative takes over valuable Child Soldiers International programs, 5 June 2019)

Funding:

The total annual operating budget in 2018 exceeded $ 2,300,000 (The Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative: Annual Report 2018, 2019, p. 28)

“In 2017, we diversified our funding model to include a substantial grant from Global Affairs Canada for a 3-year project in South Sudan. This multi-year program enhanced our established, but growing, funding streams from multilateral organizations, philanthropic donors (individuals and foundations), donations from the general public, and fee-for-service contracts. Our Founder’s Fund continued to expand, supported by philanthropic individuals from across the globe, to serve as the catalyst to support organizational and strategic priorities. In addition to monetary support, we receive very generous in-kind donations from a variety of partners.” (The Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative: Annual Report 2017, 2018, p. 16)

Scope of reporting:

Geographic focus: Worldwide, with a focus on African countries. (The Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative: The Dallaire Initiative Strategic Plan 2019-2022, 2019, p. 11)

Thematic focus: Recruitment and use of child soldiers.

Methodology:

“The Dallaire Initiative uses a security sector approach to prevent the recruitment and use of children as soldiers [...] As an organization, we are uniquely placed to work with security sector actors around the world. [...] we have built a strong team that possesses expertise in child protection, researchers, field knowledge and affecting policy experts on new approaches to protecting children more effectively through our work with the security sector. [...] The Dallaire Initiative focuses on filling gaps in knowledge and practice to amplify current efforts by international organizations, non-governmental organizations, governments, legal experts and child protection advocates to prevent the recruitment and use of children as soldiers [...]. As detailed in the Dallaire Initiative Handbook for Security Sector Actors, there are well-researched, practical tactics to help security forces recognize where and how children are vulnerable to being recruited and used, in order to ultimately enhance the protection of children. This work is done in tandem with strengthening military and police doctrine, training integration and policy commitments.” (The Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative: The Dallaire Initiative Strategic Plan 2019-2022, 2019, p. 6)

“In most cases, we will prioritize based on the following:

Languages of publications:

English

Further reading / links:

Government of Canada: Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers, 15 November 2017
https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/assets/pdfs/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/human_rights-droits_homme/principles-vancouver-principes-english.pdf

The Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative: Annual Report 2018, 2019
https://www.childsoldiers.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/2018-Annual-Report-electronic-FINAL.pdf


All links accessed 8 April 2020.