For the Dal-based , an important international meeting about its work and mission is simply another day at the office.
Now, when your office for the day is the Vatican 鈥斅爓ell, that鈥檚 something different.
On Thursday morning (Jan. 17), the initiative鈥檚 namesake, Lt. General (Ret鈥檇) The Honourable Rom茅o Dallaire, and Executive Director Shelley Whitman were granted a private audience with his Holiness, Pope Francis at the Vatican.
They were there to discuss the initiative鈥檚 global mission to end the recruitment and use of child soldiers, including recent successes like the Vancouver Principles. The Dallaire Initiative partnered with the Government of Canada to conceive and develop the principles, which prioritize and further operationalize child protection within UN peacekeeping with a focus on preventing the recruitment and use of child soldiers.
鈥淧ope Francis has expressed deep concern on the issue of child soldiers worldwide,鈥� following the meeting, citing the Pope鈥檚 call this past Christmas for humanitarian aid in Syria and "social harmony" for South Sudan. 鈥淭he Dallaire Initiative stands proudly with Pope Francis on his call for a more peaceful world and the elimination of the use of children in conflict worldwide.鈥�
鈥淲e need moral leadership from all corners to raise this issue on the peace and security agenda,鈥� .
The Dallaire Initiative, first formed in 2007, is a global partnership that brings the perspective of the security sector to the issue of child soldiery, equipping leaders with the training and tools to prevent the recruitment and use of child soldiers worldwide. Its home at AV俱乐部 situations the project within a uniquely rich, interactive and collaborative environment.