“On this VE Day, as 80 years since the end of war in Europe is commemorated, we also pause to reflect on the ongoing impact of conflict on children and young people around the world.
In Gaza, Ukraine, Somalia, Sudan, and other territories, lives continue to be devastated by violence, displacement, and loss. In 2024, one in six children globally lived in areas affected by conflict.
In the aftermath of World War II, the world said “never again”. The horrors of that global conflict prompted a renewed commitment to human rights. It was from this moment in history that the foundations were laid for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). This landmark agreement recognises every child’s right to grow up in safety, dignity, and peace. Their rights, and lives, must be protected.
Yet today, too many children are still denied basic rights. For the promises of the UNCRC to be realised, it must be fully incorporated into domestic law as a minimum.
So, on this day of remembrance, let us honour the sacrifices of the past not just with words, but through action – by protecting children’s rights, defending their futures, and refusing to accept that conflict and suffering are inevitable.”
