On 13 December 2025, Child Rights Connect and its Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict hosted an online consultation with European Union (EU) representatives and children living in armed conflict settings, enabling children to inform the upcoming Human Rights Council resolution on the rights of the child on children and armed conflict, to be adopted in March 2026. 

Children from a total of 10 countries in conflict situation — including Ukraine, Lebanon, Palestine, Sudan, Colombia, Mexico, Afghanistan, Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda — took part. They shared powerful firsthand perspectives and concrete recommendations to help ensure the resolution reflects the lived realities, needs, and rights of children affected by armed conflict. 

Throughout the consultation, children engaged actively and confidently, supported by trusted adults and partner organizations in-country, including Lumos, Save the Children, War Child, Arigatou International, DCI-Palestine, DCI / Connect Children Now, DCI / BIFERD, and QADER for Community Development. This safe and inclusive space enabled meaningful dialogue between children and decision-makers.  

Importantly, this consultation marks a historic first: it is the first time that children have been consulted by the penholder of a Human Rights Council resolution. 

Children were clear in their messages. In times of war, they said, all children’s rights are affected. Among the most affected are the right to play, access to quality education, and the most basic needs such as the rights to clean water and sanitation, food, health care — particularly mental health support — and protection from harm. Children also strongly emphasized the right to participate and be heard, stressing how essential it is, especially during conflict, for their voices to be included in decisions that directly affect their lives and in recovery and peacekeeping efforts. A child-friendly report of the consultation will be published soon. 

The consultation was collaborative, respectful, and impactful, demonstrating how meaningful child participation can directly inform and strengthen international human rights processes.  

We welcome the leadership shown by the EU in this initiative. By placing children at the center of this process, the EU is leading by example at the UN and reinforcing its long-standing commitment to children’s right to participate. We hope this milestone sets a new standard practice for inclusive, child-centered engagement in UN intergovernmental work. 

Find here the invitation for the online consultation.