Monday, August 28, 2006

Child Soldiers: Expanding the Dialogue

WINNIPEG: The opening of the conference yesterday was absolutely amazing. I had the opportunity to speak briefly with Senator Dallaire, as well the Rev. Dr. James Christie of the University of Winnipeg. Before the conference closing, General Dallaire and I will have the opportunity to sit down and discuss the collaboration that is possible with NA. The energy in the room last night was amazing. My one regret is that the dialogue with actual child soldiers will not be as expansive this week as we had hoped, due to VISA problems. I am fully confident, however, that the workshops and plenaries that arise from the sessions will produce instruments to prevent the use of children as soldiers. As Romeo Dallaire eloquently said, we must work to eradicate the concept that adults could actually use children as weapon systems in war.

3 comments:

Heddy said...

sounds amazing melanie. keep up the fabulous work, and do give our regards to dallaire.

xx

Ruth said...

It makes me sick to know that children are being robbed of their childhood and innocence. Not just child soldiers but children are being used as sex slaves as young as 9 or 10 years old. I'm just happy to know that there are people like Senator Dallaire are at least speaking out and doing something about this already out of control problem. Melanie, keep up the good work, and I'm proud of you!

Never Again International - Canada said...

Thanks Ruth,
You'll be pleased to know I had the opportunity to give Senator Dallaire your poem. If you would like to hear more about the fundraiser and some of issues surrounding child soldiers, I'm trying to catch up on my blog entries at: www.melanieinkigali.blogspot.com