They are also easily manipulated.  Basic morals of justice and tolerance are turned upside down – instead children can be encouraged to blame, to hate, and even to fight in an adult’s war.

For children, it’s not just the trauma of what they see around them that makes them suffer.  It’s also the confusion - how can people they trust initiate and justify acts of violence and destruction?

It simply doesn’t make sense to them.

Given the opportunity, children will call for peace.  Their voices and actions can be powerful mediators in the peace process, and World Vision encourages them to be heard.

Children’s voices for peace

Through World Vision child participation initiatives such as Children’s Clubs and Child Parliaments, children bring messages to parents and peers about building a better world. 

Children become activists for change in child labour, access to education, debt and poverty.

And in communities where children have lived through war and conflict, their top priority is the right to live in peace.  They lead the way by refusing to take sides and embracing cultural diversity among their friends.

The results are remarkable.  For instance, since the declaration of a ceasefire in Sri Lanka in 2002, children and youth are insisting on talking about peace, attending peacebuilding camps and organising story and poster competitions with peace as a theme.

Having grown up with the constant fear of violence and displacement, they’re working hard to give the next generation what they missed out on - a peaceful, stable childhood.

Education for lasting change

The saying “children hold the future in their hands” is especially true in the peacebuilding process.
Agreements may be in place and weapons laid down, but research shows that unless the core issues are exposed and solved, violence will reignite in a predictable cycle.

Peace, justice and tolerance need to be learnt by both adults and children recovering from war.

Here, children have a head start.  They are curious rather than condemning.  They find it easier to forgive than adults.

And their sincere wish for peace and stability in their own lives makes them enthusiastic students, peer educators and even mentors to their parents.

World Vision helps by providing school materials, children's newsletters and books with a peace-building message. 

These materials help to teach children from all backgrounds about the groups and cultures within their region in a way that promotes acceptance and tolerance of diversity.

As trust and communication is restored between children, community divisions and traditional enemies become less apparent at an adult level.