Publication

This paper traces the evolution of the UN protection agenda for children affected by armed conflict (CAAC) since the 1996 publication of Graca Machel's report entitled "The Impact of Armed Conflict on Children." It focuses in particular on the strategic engagement of the Security Council on CAAC. The author argues that the systematic engagement of the Council has led to a powerful momentum toward an "era of application" of international norms and standards for the protection of children on the ground and has generated energy and pressure within the UN system to address CAAC in a more purposive and strategic way.