February 12, 2021 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development; and the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, today issued the following statement:
“Today, we reiterate Canada’s commitment to ending the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict. Worldwide, too many boys and girls continue to be robbed of their most basic rights by this appalling practice. Some are killed, and many others suffer severe, lasting physical and emotional scars.
“Canada continues to work with the United Nations, fellow UN Member States and civil society to implement the Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers. Developed by Canada and its partners in 2017, this set of 17 political commitments aims to end the recruitment and use of children as soldiers in contexts where UN peacekeeping missions operate. To date, 99 countries have signed on to the Vancouver Principles.
“A key component of the Vancouver Principles is to equip peacekeepers with the training and tools they need to prevent the recruitment and use of child soldiers. Recognizing this, Canada worked with the UN, partner States and civil society organizations to develop Implementation Guidance for the Vancouver Principles. This practical resource helps endorsing States turn the Principles into action. Canada also established the Dallaire Centre of Excellence for Peace and Security in 2019 within the Canadian Armed Forces [CAF] to assist the CAF implementation of the Vancouver Principles.
“No child should ever be used in armed conflict. Canada will continue to work with partners to put an end to this practice worldwide.”
Syrine Khoury
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
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Guillaume Dumas
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development
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Media Relations Office
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Floriane Bonneville
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Defence
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Media Relations
Department of National Defence
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