Contribute to... giving a voice to children in conflict areas

Contribute to giving children in conflict zones a voice

Give children from not fully recognized states the opportunity to help build lasting peace.

Globally, 473 million children live in conflict-affected areas. Among them, approximately nine million children grow up in states that are not fully recognized—regions that lack full international recognition or protection. These children are among the most vulnerable in the world, as they fall outside the protection of international law.

In these circumstances, survival is often the primary concern. Families have little space to talk with their children about the war, loss, and fear. Even after the violence ends, adults often prefer to move on, leaving children with unanswered questions, unprocessed trauma, and identity struggles. The first 130 interviews conducted in the current research reveal a painful pattern: these children are rarely heard. Their experiences, emotions, and perspectives are overlooked, while they are left with deep psychological scars.

The Child Peace Project: giving children an active role in peacebuilding

Led by Dr. Marieke Hopman and Guleid Ahmed Jama, the Child Peace Project investigates how children in three areas connected to not fully recognized states—Gaza, Sool/Sanaag, and Nagorno Karabakh/ Artsakh—can be involved in peacebuilding activities.

The ongoing research combines legal analysis (what rights do children from these regions have in?) with extensive empirical data (what actually happens to them during and after the conflict?). The team now aims to take a crucial next step: exploring how children can actively contribute to peace, and how their voices can be given a permanent role in peace initiatives.

When children are supported to understand what has happened to them, when they are given the space to speak and be heard, the result is not only healing—it is also perspective and empowerment, for themselves and for their communities.

 Why your support is essential

Funding is critical for this follow-up project. With your contribution, the research team can:

• Explore how children can safely and responsibly be involved in peace and justice activities;
• Work with local partners to identify ways to genuinely include children in discussions about war and recovery;
• Develop concrete interventions that international organisations can use to include children’s voices

Help give these children a voice at last.

Together, we can ensure their stories are not lost and contribute to a future where even children in conflict zones have the right to recovery, perspective, and peace.

Marieke Hopman & Guleid Jama

Ambassadors

The following ambassadors warmly support this project: 

Jan Pronk – Former Dutch Minister for Development Cooperation and Environment, and former UN Special Representative in Sudan. Longstanding international leader in development, peacebuilding and human rights.

Mohamed Barud Ali – Chairman of the Somaliland National Human Rights Commission, long-time human rights activist, and former Minister of Rehabilitation in Somaliland.

Marc Dullaert – Founder of KidsRights Foundation and former Dutch Ombudsman for Children. Prominent advocate for children’s rights in the Netherlands and internationally.

Nigel Cantwell – Founder of Defence for Children International, leading international expert on children’s rights and alternative care.

Kees Matthijssen – Lieutenant General (ret.) in the Royal Netherlands Army and former Force Commander of the UN mission in Mali (MINUSMA), with broad experience in peace operations and conflict settings, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Lisa Macheiner – Frontline humanitarian worker with Doctors without Borders, experienced in working with children in conflict and crisis settings including Afghanistan, Libya, and Gaza.

Annual Fund Campaign: Together 2025/2026

Maastricht University is committed to equality, and to scientific and sustainable innovation. Together with the UM community, we will make the four unique projects a success and truly get it done together. This year the Fund celebrates its 60th anniversary, and next year Maastricht University will mark its 50th year. With your contribution, you support groundbreaking research and education, strengthen the university’s growth, and increase its impact on society. Let’s join forces more than ever during this anniversary year!

UM Crowd is part of the Limburg University Fund/SWOL. This fund is a recognized Public Benefit Organization (ANBI). This means that your donation is fully or partially tax-deductible. After your donation, you will automatically receive an email containing proof of payment.