End Child Soldiering is proud to annnounce that the third Opoka Award will be going to the Dellaire Foundations for their outstanding work. Thank you to all that contributed to the effort!
The Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace, and Security is an organization focused on preventing the recruitment and use of child soldiers in armed conflicts. It was founded by Lieutenant-General (Ret’d) Roméo Dallaire, a former Canadian military officer and humanitarian, who witnessed the use of child soldiers firsthand during the Rwandan Genocide in 1994.
Mission and Activities:
- Preventing Child Soldier Recruitment: The institute works to develop strategies and policies to prevent the use of children in armed conflicts.
- Training and Advocacy: It provides training for military, law enforcement, and policymakers to recognize and address child soldiering.
- Research and Policy Development: The institute conducts research on child protection and advises governments and international organizations.
- Global Engagement: It collaborates with the United Nations, NATO, African Union, and other international bodies to promote child protection in conflict zones.
Please see the letter below:
End Child Soldiering
51 Ponderosa Ct.
Whitefish, Montana
Mick@LoboInstitute.org
February 6, 2025
Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace, and Security
P.O. Box 15000, Dalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2
Subject: Congratulations on Winning the Third Opoka Award
Dear Dallaire Institute Team,
On behalf of End Child Soldiering, I extend my warmest congratulations to the Dallaire Institute
for Children, Peace, and Security on being awarded the prestigious Third Opoka Award or
5,000.00 USD. This well-deserved recognition is a testament to your unwavering commitment to
preventing the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict and your tireless efforts to
promote peace and security for vulnerable children worldwide.
Your dedication to advancing research, training, and advocacy in this crucial area has made a
profound impact on communities affected by conflict. By equipping military, police, and
peacekeeping personnel with the tools to recognize and prevent the recruitment of child
soldiers, your work has played a vital role in shaping global policies and protecting the rights of
children.
The Opoka Award stands as a powerful acknowledgment of the meaningful and life-changing
contributions you continue to make. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of collective
action in safeguarding the futures of children who deserve to grow up free from violence, fear,
and exploitation.
Once again, congratulations on this remarkable achievement. We look forward to continuing our
shared mission of ending the use of child soldiers and ensuring a brighter future for all children.
With deepest admiration and best wishes,
Mick Mulroy, Co-President
Eric Oehlerich, Co-President
END CHILD SOLDIERING
