Children First. Accountability Now. (Save the Children)

Children are disproportionately affected by armed conflict, yet international law and justice mechanisms for conflict-related crimes remain largely adult-centred. On Tuesday, June 9, Save the Children organises a high-level symposium to explore one central question: How can we use existing international law to effectively protect children?  When children become the benchmark for international law, higher standards of protection follow. This principle lies at the heart of this event.

The symposium will be held at the Peace Palace in The Hague and will bring together the diplomatic community, practitioners, members of the international legal community, scholars, and civil society organisations.

Programme: Tuesday, June 9, 2026

10:00  – 11:00 AM | Walk-in and registration

11:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Symposium sessions

• Featured speakers on children and armed conflict, including UN Special Rapporteur Vanessa Frazier and AU Special Envoy Jainaba Jagne
• Panels on eyewitness accounts and research findings of specific harm to children, and accountability for crimes against children within international law
• Perspectives from legal, operational, and diplomatic practice
• Interactive dialogue with experts and practitioners from Save the Children, the UN, the African Union, the ICC, the Municipality of The Hague, and more

5:00 PM – 06:30 PM | Reception and networking

Due to venue security procedures, advance registration is mandatory. Please also note that a valid identification card or passport is required to enter the Peace Palace and pass through security.