In standing up for children’s rights, WCC urges “our task is not only to protect children but to sustain the future”

The meeting was part of the “Stand Up for Children in War” campaign, co-signed by more than 130 partner organizations, including the World Council of Churches (WCC).

The event opened with a sharing of the current grave situation: over half of the world’s displaced population are children, according to the 2024 UN Report on Armed Conflict and Children, which also shows that sexual violence, family separation, trafficking, and abuse are all rising to alarming levels. 

Amid not only conflict but lack of funding and extreme weather events, the gathering called for action, investment, and political will. 

Arigatou International president Rev. Keishi Miyamoto, via a video message, noted that children are our future and a precious asset. “It is therefore urgent that we intensify our prayers and our actions, and call on the international community to protect children,” he said. 

Those gathered observed a moment of silence for children who have been killed in conflict. 

Florence Raymonde J. Gaspar shared a special statement on behalf of the UN office on Children and Armed Conflict. “Standing up for children in war is more urgent than ever,” she said. “Children pay the highest price in wars. As we speak, 473 million children are living in conflict.”

WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed the importance of not only conversation—but action. 

“Words fail to capture what it means for an innocent child to die in war,” he said. “The consequences are carried across generations and societies.”

He emphasized the importance of working together, and invited churches to take initiatives such as strengthening awareness and advocacy; collaborating for strategic engagement; creating and fostering effective channels of dialogue with political leaders; calling for ceasefires and safeguarding of schools; and other actions. 

“Simple initiatives can make a difference in safeguarding and protecting children in times of war,” he urged.

Ambassadors from many countries spoke about examples of violations of child rights, and how they were addressed from different contexts.

Children’s voices—sent via video from across the world—were aired throughout the gathering. 

Seventeen-year-old Yara, from Sudan, described how war stole her childhood. “Childhood becomes about survival,” she said. “You lose your sense of safety.”

She added that it’s not enough that she survived. “Peace means providing mental health support for children who have seen too much,” she said. “We, the children who have seen war, are not just symbols of tragedy—we are proof of resilience but we need you to match our resilience with your actions.”

Rakan, from Palestine, described how, every day, the children ask: Will there be safety tomorrow? 

“I wish religious leaders and all communities would stand with us,” he said. “We children want to see actions, not just words. The first thing I want from them is to stop the war immediately.”

Pillay said he found it disturbing and tragic if we do not learn from the past. “Many of the problems that we see in the world are driven by politics and economic interests,” he said. “Our task is not only to protect children but to sustain the future.”

The gathering closed with a call to action. “Childhood is a journey of growth, identity, and belonging,” it reads. “For the sake of our children, we must act.”

The call advocates for an immediate ceasefire, and for creating safe spaces for children to speak and be heard.

“We choose conscience over indifference, hope over despair, and ethical action over silence,” the calls reads. 

Joint Statement – Stand Up For Children In War

Learn more about the Stand Up for Children in War initiative