March 2026 – Canada launched the Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers in 2017. This political declaration calls on Member States to prevent the recruitment and use of children through 17 distinct commitments across the peacekeeping cycle. “Implementing the Vancouver Principles: Lessons from Ghana, Italy, Pakistan, Senegal, and Uruguay” compares the efforts of five endorsing, troop- and police- contributing countries – Ghana, Italy, Pakistan, Senegal, and Uruguay – to implement the Vancouver Principles, including by developing policies, training personnel on the prevention of child recruitment, caring for peacekeepers’ mental health, and supporting UN processes that bolster child protection. It identifies enabling factors and persistent barriers to implementation and offers targeted recommendations for Member States, the United Nations and regional organizations, and donors and technical partners.
Read the full report here.
Cover photo: The MINUSCA Pakistan Contingent organized an art therapy session for children in June 2020 © MINUSCA
Concept and production: Green Communication Design
