The programme, organized by the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security, marked the launch of the second Basic Course on the Prevention of Child Recruitment in Areas of Armed Conflict and Armed Violence in Ecuador.

The training has convened 64 participants drawn from key national institutions, including representatives from the Vice Presidency of the Republic, the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of Education, as well as members of security forces, civil society organizations, and international partners.

Organizers say the diversity of participants reflects Ecuador’s growing commitment to strengthening institutional capacity and promoting coordinated efforts to prevent the involvement of children in armed violence.

Building a National Response

The course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and practical tools needed to identify risk factors, understand the dynamics of child recruitment, and develop preventive strategies across different sectors.

By bringing together actors from government institutions, security services and civil society, the training seeks to foster a whole-of-government approach to protecting children and addressing the drivers that expose them to recruitment by armed groups or criminal networks.

The presence of senior representatives from national institutions during the launch was described as an important step toward consolidating the Dallaire Institute’s work in Ecuador and strengthening national frameworks for prevention.

Beyond the training sessions, the institute’s team also held meetings with officials from the Ministry of National Defence and the Ombudsman of Ecuador.

Discussions focused on opportunities for future collaboration and ways to reinforce policies and programmes aimed at preventing the recruitment and use of children in situations of armed conflict and armed violence.

According to the institute, such partnerships are essential to building sustainable prevention mechanisms and ensuring that institutions across the country are equipped to respond effectively.

The Dallaire Institute has worked with governments and security institutions in several countries to strengthen prevention efforts and promote child protection in areas affected by conflict and violence.

Through initiatives like the training in Ecuador, the organization aims to support national authorities in developing stronger systems that safeguard children from exploitation by armed actors

Source: Dallaire Institute for Children through LinkedIn