This promise became the foundation of the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace & Security. We don't just hope for peace; we train the world to protect it.
In 1994, during the horrific Rwandan genocide, Canadian UN Commander General Roméo Dallaire witnessed something that shattered him.
In the middle of violence, chaos, and fear, he saw children — not in classrooms, not with their families, not laughing — but being used as tools in a war they never chose.
This wasn’t just heartbreaking. It was life-changing. That moment followed him long after the uniforms were folded away. It lived in his mind, in his memory, in his heart, refusing to fade.
But instead of letting that pain destroy him, he transformed it into a mission:
What began as the Child Soldiers Initiative evolved into a powerful global organization dedicated to protecting children from the horrors of armed conflict. It stands on one core belief: Every child deserves a life of safety, hope, play, learning, and love — not war.
The Institute exists so no child ever becomes a weapon, a shield, or a target.
Around the world, we train military, police, peacekeepers, and security actors. We teach them how to interact with children safely:
Many soldiers say the training changed how they see children in conflict — turning hesitation into humanity.
Our researchers study why armed groups target children and how to prevent recruitment at the root. We analyze:
Their research influences governments, global peacekeeping missions, and international security decisions.
Where conflict destroys trust, we rebuild it. We work directly with parents, teachers, youth, community leaders, and former fighters.
We create programs that restore safety, rebuild trust, and empower communities to resist the recruitment of children. We heal pain from the ground up.
We helped shape The Vancouver Principles, now adopted by over 100 governments. These principles guide peacekeepers globally on:
This is global-scale change rooted in compassion.
Headquarters & Center of Excellence
Home of the Institute. Leading global training programs for security forces and developing community-led prevention strategies.
Operational Training
Working with police and military to prevent child recruitment in conflict zones through specialized interaction training.
Policy & Prevention
Implementing the Vancouver Principles and establishing early warning systems within communities.
Research & Engagement
Researching recruitment tactics of armed groups and engaging local youth to build resilience.
Regional Hub
Serving as a training hub for West African peacekeeping forces deploying to conflict zones.
Community Healing
Rebuilding trust between security forces and communities affected by insurgency.
Hover over locations to explore our work
Soldiers with Empathy
Soldiers around the world now approach children with empathy because of their training. Hesitation has turned into humanity.
Restoring Trust
Communities once broken by conflict now rebuild trust with security forces. Families feel safer.
Systemic Change
Governments create better systems because of the Institute’s research. Policy is shifting globally.
The Ultimate Result
Peacekeepers enter conflict zones with clearer understanding and compassion. Most importantly, children return home, return to school, and return to hope.
A world where every child can grow without fear.
Where families don’t worry their children will disappear.
Where armed groups no longer see children as targets.
Where communities stay united and safe, and peacekeepers protect innocence before anything else.
A world where children get to simply be children.
Laugh. Learn. Dream. Grow.
This future is not just possible — we are building it every day.