Our Rights in War: A Child-Led Event by Children and CAT

On 10 March 2026, Child Rights Connect and its member organisations hosted the child-led side event “Our Rights in War,” creating a dedicated space for children and young people to share their experiences of conflict and to deliver concrete recommendations for States. 

The event brought together more than 120 participants, both online and in person, including representatives from over 20 State Permanent Missions. This created an engaged and supportive environment in which children could speak openly and contribute meaningfully to ongoing decision-making processes. 

Our Child Advisor, Layan, delivered her message via video. Although she had originally planned to participate in person, the conflict situation prevented her from fully joining the event. Other children, including a child advocate from Ukraine, presented the projects they are involved in and shared their recommendations for States and other stakeholders. 

Their contributions highlighted the profound impact of war on children, the urgent need for psychological support and safety, and the importance of recognising children as key partners in shaping solutions. 

During the event, Layan launched a Digital Exhibition “Art from the Heart”, an initiative developed by the CAT since autumn 2025, showcasing children’s reflections on armed conflict and their collective yearning for recovery, hope, and peace.