29 February 2012 - 10 April 2012

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
Week 6: Transitional justice/changing role of children in peace processes

Level: professional , post-graduate graduate , undergraduate

Location: Internet (e-learning course)

Participants: humanitarian and human rights officers, human rights staff of NGOs, international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) and intergovernmental and government agencies, children's advocates, university students of international law, international relations, politics and other areas, practitioners who want to learn about children's rights and children in armed conflict. The course is also intended for staff members of UN specialised agencies who want to learn more about children's issues in the context of armed conflict and war. Participants should have at least basic knowledge of human rights.

Tuition, fee, lodging: The course tuition fee is US$ 435 (tuition for auditors is US$ 165). There are no discounted tuition rates or scholarships available for this course. Further information and application form can be found at: www.hrea.org/children-in-war.

Contact Information:
Sandra Quintin
Distance Learning Programme
HREA
689 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139-3302
USA
Tel: +1 617 301-4379
Fax: +1 617 249-0278
E-mail: applications@hrea.org
Web: http://www.hrea.org