Saving our children from the scourge of war

In spite of these impressive gains, I was deeply troubled by one phenomenon. On the one side, we had developed standards and important concrete initiatives, particularly at the international level. On the other side, atrocities against children continued largely unabated. Words on paper alone cannot save children and women in danger.

I have spent the last three years working to crack this nut and the UN Security Council on July 26 unanimously adopted Resolution 1612, which should lead to a serious, formal and structured compliance regime for the protection of children exposed to war. This is a turning point of immense consequence.

Clearly, compilation of information on violations and the listing of offending parties have little value unless they serve as triggers for action. However, it is crucial that this issue be taken up beyond the corridors of the United Nations - by the concerned public at large. With Resolution 1612 we have a solid base and springboard for this campaign.

The question is often raised as to how the international community can influence the conduct of all parties to conflict, particularly insurgents. In fact, insurgent groups have grown increasingly sophisticated in their political and financial operations and in their external connections. This means that carefully chosen and calibrated measures can have significant impact on insurgencies.

When the tsunami tragedy struck in Asia and the recent earthquake ravaged the countries of South- Asian countries, we felt almost entirely helpless in the face of a mighty fury unleashed by the force of nature. What is happening to children in many conflict areas is a wholly human-made catastrophe. This is nothing short of a process of self-destruction, consuming the very children who assure the renewal and future of all our societies. How can we allow this? Unlike the onslaught of the tsunami yesterday, we can do something today to bring an end to this man-made horror - the horror of war being waged against children and women.