Exploring War and Conflict
With children and young people in school
War and conflict are incredibly difficult subjects for people of any age.
Working with children to try to help them untangle complicated thoughts and feelings is not easy. However, safe spaces in which to gently explore disturbing world events can provide huge reassurance to children and young people, and prompt them to seek help when they need it.
When speaking to children and doing activities from this pack, keep in mind different lived experiences children in your school might have in relation to war and conflict, fleeing violence or other trauma in their lives.
It is almost always the case that conflict, and rights violations go hand in hand. This may cause some children to question the value of rights or to lose trust in duty bearers to deliver.
It is important to balance discussion about war and conflict with hope and optimism. Remember that despite everything, the world is better for children today than it was when the CRC was adopted in 1989.
This resource is provided in English and Welsh. Please note that in the Welsh pack, the PowerPoint is in Welsh but there are links to external resources in English.
There are many conflicts taking place around the world. The image at the top of this page is from the refugee site of Adré, in the East of Chad, close to the border of Sudan. More than 100,000 people, mostly women and children, have come here after fleeing their country because of conflict in 2023.
You can find out more here about the work UNICEF UK is doing to fundraise and protect children in emergency situations.
Image: UNICEF/Dejongh
