Children in War and Armed Conflicts

Application deadline: 1 February 2012 (extended)
Instructors: Annabel Trapp and Wout Visser
Armed conflicts around the world continue to expose many millions of children to inexcusable forms of violence, including abduction, rape, mutilation, forced displacement and sexual exploitation. In some contexts, children often taken on active roles in conflict, forced to participate either to carry weapons as combatants or to assume auxiliary roles. The breakdown of social protection that occurs during every armed conflict leaves all children vulnerable. Many children are threatened with separation from their families, orphaning, disability and serious, long-term psychosocial consequences; girls are especially at risk of unwanted pregnancy.
This short certificate course examines the effect of armed conflict on children in the 21st century. It looks at the various ways in which children are involved in conflicts and the substantial impact that they can have on children's mental and physical well-being. The course highlights concrete actions that can be taken to contribute to the full implementation of children"s rights in conflict and post-conflict contexts, including through the application of humanitarian law; and the increasing ways in which perpetrators can be held to account.
This e-learning course involves approximately 40 hours of reading, interaction with students and the instructors on discussion boards, quizzes and webinars with invited guests. The course is based on a participatory, active learning approach, with an emphasis on critical reflection and peer-to-peer learning. The maximum number of course participants is 25. Students who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Participation. It is also possible to be an auditor of the course.

Course outline

Week 1: Changing nature of conflict
Week 2: Accountability to children in times of conflict
Week 3: Children associated with armed forces and groups
Week 4: Impact of conflict on children
Week 5: Rehabilitation and Reintegration of children affected by armed conflict

http://www.hrea.org/index.php?base_id=1180&language_id=1