The Children and Armed Conflict Unit

The Children and Armed Conflict Unit was established in 1997, as a joint project of the Children's Legal Centre (lead body), a UK registered charity, and the Human Rights Centre of the University of Essex. Set up in response to a ground breaking UN report on the plight of children in armed conflict written by Graça Machel, the Unit's patron, the purpose of the Unit is to monitor the impact of armed conflict on civilian children and to contribute to the full implementation of their rights. The Unit works with Governments, UN bodies and international and local organisations to carry out assessments and research projects, to reform legislation and practice, to initiate child protection programmes and to deliver training on children's rights. Since its inception, the Unit has focused on Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Kosovo.

In addition, the Unit aims to keep the issue of the impact of armed conflict on children in the public and institutional eye through its website, which provides accessible information on conflicts and relevant international standards and norms, as well as good practices relating to children.