'War is not a game'

Craig Kielburger, founder of Kids Can Free the Children, stimulates childeren to turn in their way toys as a symbol of what world leaders must do to protect the world and its children.

Marco Visscher | March 2003 issue

Isn't it?

'Many children in the stable, developed world grow up playing shooting and war games on their computers and with their GI Joes. They don't see the enemy in their game as human but merely as targets to destroy and points to score. Too often, world leaders are like children playing games.'

So world leaders, grow up!

'Right. If they, instead of sitting in their large offices planning war, actually had to participate in the hostilities, and face personal death and the destruction of their own homes and families, they would think twice before declaring war. World leaders play with human lives like children who play with… video games. It is easier to kill an enemy that is not real. It is easier to play the game. But while world leaders now talk about a war on Iraq as though it is a video game with no casualties, for the children of Iraq it is clear that war is not a game.'

How does war affect children?

'Each year tens of thousands are killed in wars, hundreds of thousands are disabled due to armed conflicts and over a million children are forced to flee their homes and, often, leave their families. As one of the worst new trends, there are currently more than 300,000 children being used as soldiers around the world. In Sierra Leone and Uganda, for instance, some battalions are comprised of more than 90% children, with some as young as 5 years old. Children are forced onto the frontlines because they are seen as "expendable" and also because it is hoped that they will escape the attention of the opposition who wouldn't suspect to find trained killers in ten year olds.'

So what can we do about it?

'Well, with Kids Can Free the Children we organize war toy "trade ins". Children in North America are asked to turn in their war toys as a symbol of their desire for peace and as a symbol of what world leaders must do to protect the world and its children. Sponsors donate money for each war toy turned in. This money is used to buy schoolbooks and other productive materials for children in post-conflict zones, where some of them have been used as soldiers. They are also encouraged to hand in their real weapons and choose peace.'

I guess your children don't have GI Joes, right?

'No, my parents never bought me war toys and I wouldn't buy war toys for my own children.'

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