Compelled to become instruments of war, to kill and be killed, child soldiers are forced to give violent expression to the hatreds of adults

My mandate...is to promote the protection, rights and welfare of children.

The time has come to make the protection of children - all our children - a common cause that can unite us across the boundaries of our political orientation, religious affiliation and cultural traditions. We must reclaim our lost taboos, and make the abuse and brutalization of children simply unaccepetable.

Compelled to become instruments of war, to kill and be killed, child soldiers are forced to give violent expression to the hatreds of adults