I was honored to have participated in the UNICEF Innocenti roundtable on children's involvement in organized violence. It was an informative discussion, bringing together a diverse group of experts to exchange ideas on this crucial issue.
The current trends in child involvement with terrorist and violent extremist groups are a major concern:
1. The recruitment and use of children by UN-designated terrorist groups have risen sharply over the past two decades.
2. The landscape of terrorism and violent extremism has become more diverse and fragmented, with actors being empowered by advances in emerging technologies, adding other layers of complexity to this issue and enhancing risks for children and young people.
3. The radicalization of children and youth has become a primary focus for terrorist and violent extremist actors, with the potential to lead to their involvement in violent activities.
