Zero Force, a Canadian public mobilization campaign of everyday people united by a common goal — to ensure that no child is ever again used as an instrument of war — was launched in Toronto last night, the eve of International Human Rights Day. It was a day of educational events as well as entertainment featuring performances by former Sudanese child soldier Emmanuel Jal.
With the goal of enlisting 25,000 Canadians by February 12, 2011, Zero Force seeks to stand by their tagline, “Even one child soldier is too many.” It’s a day to take note — the International day against the use of child soldiers. And, a number that is staggering to think about — it represents one tenth the number of child soldiers who exist in the world today.
Zero Force is part of Child Soldier Initiative (CSI) created by retired general Roméo Dallaire, a Canadian senator with 37 years of experience in the Canadian armed forces and known for his exceptional work as a champion of human rights. He will, on Feb. 12, represent Zero Force at the United Nations to “show the world Canadians are looking beyond their own borders by leading the charge to stop the use of child soldiers.”
In a departure from most other organizations, Dallaire’s approach looks directly at how child soldiers are being used rather than the other vitally important aspects of demobilization, disarmament and rehabilitation. With the Child Soldier Initiative, he focuses on the tactics and motivations of recruiters on the ground and aims to build a force, led by global youth, who can engage in advocacy that will lead to real action to end this tragedy. Importantly, Dallaire sees opportunities in building upon the potential of children who have served as leaders during conflict and believes these skills can be constructively diverted.
The Zero Force initiative that is being launched in Canada has three aspects. Dallaire is asking the youth of Canada to enlist, recruit and serve in hopes of neutralizing the recruitment of children into war. On their website, young people across the country are being called upon to sign up, tell their friends (both real and virtual) and then get their “boots dirty.” Members will be called to lend their voice to public events, advocacy efforts and have the opportunity to connect with youth in countries affected by war.
As well as starting the CSI and Zero Force, Dallaire is the author of two books: Shake Hands With The Devil, which exposes the failures of the international community in Rwanda to stop one of the worst genocides of the 20th century and They Fight Like Soldiers, The Die Like Children. On the Zero Force website he says, “I have been leading this fight for over five years, without a force behind me. I’ve come to realize that this is not something anyone can accomplish alone. It is only something we can put an end to together.”
Emmanual Jal is also currently promoting his We Want Peace campaign. His country is facing the very real threat of war in just a months time when Southern Sudan votes for independence. If the international community doesn’t step in to help, his people almost certainly will experience mass bloodshed.
Here is Emmanual Jal’s We Want Peace song. Please listen and pass the word around. It will be available on the site for free down load from December 10 to 13th.
Photo 1 copyright Unicef/hq01-0093/StevieMann; photo 2 courtesy Zero Force.