The Coalition's vision is of a world where all children (boys and girls below the age of 18) can grow up under conditions that allow them to realize their potential and enjoy their fundamental human rights. We believe that to achieve this goal children must be protected from dangers of any form of military recruitment and involvement in hostilities, and from other human rights abuses that occur in these environments.
The Coalition was established in May 1998 by leading human rights and humanitarian organizations to end the military recruitment and use of child soldiers, to secure their release and to promote their rehabilitation and reintegration. Its member organizations are Amnesty International, Defence for Children International, Human Rights Watch, International Federation Terre des Hommes, International Save the Children Alliance, and the Jesuit Refugee Service.
The Coalition advocates nationally and internationally to end and prevent child soldiering, with a focus on children actively involved in armed conflict. It undertakes research and analysis to inform and promote effective action, contributes to policy debates and works with and supports national NGOs in conflict-affected areas to achieve our common goals and objectives.
It promotes the adoption and adherence to international legal standards on the use of children in armed conflict and the recognition and enforcement of these standards by all armed forces and armed groups. This work is carried out at the International Secretariat in London and through our national coalition partnerships with local NGOs in Africa and Asia.