Conference on “The Right to Childhood: IHL Challenges in Modern Warfare” Held in Kyiv

The Ukrainian Red Cross, in partnership with the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, held a conference marking World Children’s Day, dedicated to the protection of children’s rights in the context of the war.
Children from across Ukraine took part, alongside Members of Parliament, representatives of state institutions, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic community, and subject-matter experts.

The unique format of the event allowed children not only to listen but to become full participants in the discussions. They shared their views on the protection of children’s rights and the observance of international humanitarian law (IHL) norms intended to ensure their safety during armed conflict.

“Child protection under IHL must be practical. IHL sets out specific guarantees for children during war. But in reality, it is not enough to know these norms — we must be able to apply them in extremely challenging conditions. For us, IHL is a tool that helps us make the right decisions where situations have no simple answers. Working with children is not about individual projects, but about long-term responsibility. We are investing in a generation living and growing up during wartime,” emphasised Maksym Dotsenko, Director General of the Ukrainian Red Cross, in his address.

The conference, held on 20 November 2025, became an important platform for identifying practical solutions in the field of child protection. By bringing together state institutions, civil society and international partners, the Ukrainian Red Cross continues to promote knowledge of IHL and implement initiatives aimed at supporting the most vulnerable, especially children.