Chapter 17 – Further Guidance

The principle

And in this regard look forward to the development, in consultation with Member States, the United Nations, and child protection actors, of operational guidance for the implementation of these Principles.

Why is this principle important?

The Vancouver Principles are high-level political commitments aimed at preventing the recruitment and use of child soldiers in the context of UN peacekeeping operations. Additional guidance should be developed and updated to help endorsing Member States turn these political commitments into meaningful action.

How can this principle be implemented?

Review and update the Implementation Guidance for the Vancouver Principles on a periodic basis: The Implementation Guidance for the Vancouver Principles is meant to be a non-binding, evergreen document that should be regularly reviewed and updated in light of: emerging developments in the recruitment and use of child soldiers; improvements to policy, doctrine, and tactics; and, new best practices and lessons learned from the field. While a Canadian product, it was produced – and should continue to be refined – with the support and input of a variety of stakeholders, including civil society advocates and experts.

Develop a national implementation strategy regarding implementation of the Vancouver Principles: Member States should consider developing national implementation strategies for the Vancouver Principles to provide the framework for a cohesive national whole-of-government approach. A national strategy should incorporate input from a variety of ministries, departments, and agencies, including, as appropriate, defence, police, foreign affairs, international assistance, corrections, and interior/public safety. It should identify appropriate responsibilities to fulfill the commitments laid out in the Vancouver Principles, and should identify adequate national resources – personnel, equipment, infrastructure, and logistics, as appropriate. More specifically, relevant national military, police, and civilian organizations could consider initiating a process to develop a holistic child protection capability, to encompass policy, doctrine, training, education, personnel, infrastructure, and research.

Consider appointing national points of contact for the Vancouver Principles: Given that Member States should adapt this implementation guidance to their national context, they should consider appointing national focal points to examine how the Vancouver Principles can be integrated into national policy, doctrine, training, and education for military, police, and civilian organizations. National focal points could collectively serve as an expert network among endorsing Member States.

Consider establishing or supporting a national or regional centre of excellence on child protection or on the prevention of the recruitment and use of child soldiers: Member States could also consider establishing or supporting a centre of excellence on child protection in order to foster greater expertise, dialogue, and capacity on the Vancouver Principles. Such a centre could be based in a government or academic institution, and could act as a hub for subject-matter expertise and for leading training, education, and advocacy efforts.

Consider developing and/or disseminating short reference materials that can be used by peacekeepers in the field: Member States should consider developing concise, current, and practical reference materials that would be usable for peacekeepers in the field.

Examples and resources

Implementation Guidance for the Vancouver Principles: This implementation guidance is a first step in helping Member States translate the Vancouver Principles into the national-level policies, doctrine, training, and education required to take meaningful action against the recruitment and use of child soldiers in the context of UN peacekeeping operations.

International organizations that specialize in advocating for and developing resources related to the prevention of the recruitment and use of child soldiers include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Human Rights Watch;
• International Bureau of Children’s Rights (IBCR);
• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC);
• Office of the Special Representative to the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict (SSRG/CAAC);
• Oxfam International;
• Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative;
• Save the Children;
• UN Department of Peace Operations (DPO);
• UN International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF);
• War Child;
• Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict; and
• World Vision.

Implementation checklist

To implement this principle, Member States should undertake the following:

• Review and update the Implementation Guidance for the Vancouver Principles on a periodic basis.
• Develop a national implementation strategy regarding implementation of the Vancouver Principles.
• Consider appointing national points of contact for the Vancouver Principles.
• Consider establishing or supporting a national or regional centre of excellence on child protection or on the prevention of the recruitment and use of child soldiers.
• Consider developing and/or disseminating short reference materials that can be used by peacekeepers in the field.