Child Recruitment & Violence
Across the world, children are being recruited into armed groups, organised crime, gangs, trafficking networks and other forms of violence. While these realities differ from one country to another, they raise many of the same questions.
These are the questions at the heart of the next Mutual Learning Program.
Beginning in September 2026, professionals, researchers, community leaders and organisations from across the world will come together for six months of dialogue, reflection and shared learning.
Not because one country has the answers. But because together we may begin to ask better questions.
Register for the Mutual Learning Program
The Mutual Learning Program is not a traditional online course. It is an international learning community where participants from different countries learn from one another's experiences, research, practice and lived realities.
The coming program explores one of the most urgent challenges facing children today: Child Recruitment & Violence.
Rather than focusing only on crisis response, we explore the entire journey, from prevention to protection and reintegration, while remaining grounded in one central belief:
Children are best protected when families and communities are strengthened, not replaced.
Over four months we will work through three interconnected learning modules.
Before we can respond differently, we first need to learn to listen differently. Together we explore collaborative and dialogic practices that help professionals, families and communities make sense of complex situations, create meaningful conversations and work across different perspectives.
Recruitment rarely begins with the recruiter. It often begins much earlier — in the gradual weakening of relationships, opportunities and support around children. Together we explore the drivers of recruitment, children's lived experiences, and the crucial role of families, communities and schools in creating protective environments before crises escalate.
Protection is often understood as removing children from danger. But what happens when protection also means strengthening relationships? This module explores family- and community-based care, restorative approaches and reintegration as a process of rebuilding belonging, dignity and hope after violence or recruitment.
Upon completing the course and meeting attendance requirements, participants will receive a certificate of participation.
This programme is designed for anyone working with children, families and communities affected by violence, recruitment or social exclusion, including:
Students and practitioners interested in family- and community-based care are also welcome. Whether your work focuses on organised crime, armed conflict, trafficking, youth justice, child protection or community development, you'll find opportunities to connect your own experience with colleagues from across the globe.
Some of the most meaningful learning doesn't happen during presentations. It happens when practitioners from all over the world begin asking questions together. The Mutual Learning Program creates that space — not to deliver universal solutions, but to build new understanding through dialogue, reflection and mutual learning.
Become part of a growing international community working to strengthen prevention, protection and reintegration through families, communities and collaboration.
Join one of our online information sessions. We'll introduce the programme, answer your questions and look forward to meeting you.
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