Peace is a rare commodity

Thousands of children are growing up with increased trauma and psychological wounds that put them at risk of being violent, angry and traumatised adults

- Sandile Tshabalala

The 23rd Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture urges us to sit quietly and reflect on the state of peace in the world, especially in relation to children in armed conflict. The lecture will be delivered by world-renowned human rights lawyer, Francesca Albanese, under the theme “Enhancing Peace and Global Cooperation” on 25 October in Johannesburg.

Nelson Mandela once said that “peace is the greatest weapon for development that any person can have”, yet today peace has become scarce, especially for children in Congo, Sudan, Mozambique and other conflict territories across the world.

Children are unable to go to school, access healthcare, nutritious meals, and enjoy their inherent right to play and grow. The development of children in conflict zones is limited and diminished; their vulnerability to displacement infringes on their development trajectory as children.

Childhoods robbed of memories of the joy of living in safe communities that extend care, affection and dignity.

Thousands of children are growing up with increased trauma and psychological wounds that put them at risk of being violent, angry and traumatised adults.

In reference to Beasts of No Nation by Uzodinma Iweala and