Last week, the War Childhood Museum welcomed students from elementary school OŠ Hasan Kikić Sarajevo for a workshop focused on peace, children’s rights, and the importance of making children’s voices heard.
The workshop was organized as part of the global “Prove It Matters” campaign launched by the Office of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. The campaign calls on world leaders to reaffirm their commitment to protecting children and upholding the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also inviting children around the world to share their own messages of peace.
Guided by the facilitator Mersiha Began, students had discussions about the consequences of war, children’s rights, and the role young people can play in building a more just society. They then created peace messages that will become part of an international art installation set to be exhibited at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in February 2027.
The workshop was joined by UN representatives Dragica Mikavica and Ariane Lignier.
Children’s Messages About Peace and Childhood
One of the participants, 12-year-old Eli, said after the workshop:
“Children should not be sent to war, nor should they have to fight for their country. They should enjoy their school days, their parents, and their childhood.”
Another student, 12-year-old Dejna, shared: “Peace and rights should not be considered blessings, but something standard for every human being and every child. Wars and genocides should also disappear because they bring no good.”
School psychologist Džana Živojević emphasized the importance of supporting children to feel safe, heard, and free to express themselves openly:
“I am proud of them, their reflections, and their freedom to express their opinions. It is important to me that children’s voices are heard, that children’s rights become a priority, and that as a society we focus more on ensuring that every child grows up without violence, fear, or any form of discrimination.”
“Children’s Voices Are Too Often Left Behind”
Ariane Lignier explained that the campaign was launched around a year ago and has since been implemented in several conflict-affected countries around the world, reaching more than 10,000 children.
According to Lignier, the goal is not only to collect children’s messages, but to ensure they genuinely reach decision-makers and become part of broader advocacy efforts.
“We wanted to bring the voices of children to the forefront because they are always left behind and we need to bring them back to the discussion.”
She added that children’s messages are incorporated into different aspects of the work carried out by the Office of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Vanessa Frazier, including speeches, reports, meetings, and social media campaigns.
Through this workshop, children from Sarajevo joined thousands of young people around the world who are using their voices to remind us that peace, safety, and a childhood free from violence should never be privileges, but rights guaranteed to every child.
