Building bridges in a fragmented world: Geneva Call at Liechtenstein’s 10th Philanthropy Platform
“Children living in armed conflict face risks that can shape their lives long after the violence has ended,” said Sandra Krähenmann, Geneva Call’s Head of Policy, Research and Legal. “Our engagement with armed groups and de facto authorities is about translating humanitarian principles into concrete commitments and practices that can help keep them safe.”
The Liechtenstein Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently invited Geneva Call to talk at the 10th Philanthropy Platform in Schaan, Liechtenstein, which was organised by the Vereinigung liechtensteinischer gemeinnütziger Stiftungen und Trusts (VLGST). The event brought together representatives from philanthropy, humanitarian organisations, international cooperation and civil society where Geneva Call highlighted its work around child protection in conflict amidst growing global challenges.
One example of such challenges took place in Tonj North County, South Sudan earlier this year, where 34 children were found to have been recruited for military training by an armed group operating locally. The conflict had already pushed children out of the classroom and into the battlefield. Samuel Adhieu Mawien, Tonj North County Director of Gender, Child and Social Welfare and Chairperson of the Friends of IHL (FIHL) network member in Warrap State, a community network set up with Geneva Call’s support, reported that 154 of the county’s 217 schools have been completely shut down by violent conflict. The FIHL network, which grew out of Geneva Call trainings with four local youth representatives, worked with the Tonj North County Commissioner to identify the children and understand what had led them to be recruited. Together they raised the case with the armed group’s military leadership and negotiated the children’s release through dialogue, without putting the children or their families at further risk. The children have since been reunited with their parents, and some of them have started school.
Geneva Call works directly with armed groups and de facto authorities as well as local communities to train them on international humanitarian norms and principles in an attempt to find practical solutions that can reduce civilian suffering on the ground. Its teams work through dialogue, training and long-term engagement on issues including the conduct of hostilities, humanitarian access and the protection of children. Warrap shows how this mechanism works on the ground. Once communities understand the rules, they can act on them themselves.
“At a time when humanitarian needs are growing while resources are increasingly constrained, building trust and long-term partnerships is essential,” said Anila Hazizi, Geneva Call’s Head of Donor Relations. “Events like the Philanthropy Platform help connect the realities of conflict-affected communities with those who can support practical, sustainable solutions.”
In increasingly fragmented times, building bridges between communities in conflict and philanthropic institutions is as important as ever. Protecting civilians and safeguarding children’s futures requires sustained commitment, meaningful partnerships and a shared belief that positive change is possible, even in some of the world’s most challenging contexts.
Photos: ©Daniel Schwendener