Cultural events
BOOK LAUNCH
Presentation of the Handbook on New Technologies and Children in Armed Conflict
16 September 2025 | Villa Rigot, Geneva
On 16 September 2025, the Universities Network for Children in Armed Conflict, in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations in Geneva, held the official presentation of the Handbook on New Technologies and Children in Armed Conflict: Legal, Ethical, and Humanitarian Challenges in the Age of AI and Autonomous Weapons. The event took place at Villa Rigot in Geneva, bringing together a distinguished group of academics, jurists, UN experts, and diplomats.
The gathering addressed one of the most urgent and complex issues facing the international community today: the impact of emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence, autonomous weapons, drones, and cyberwarfare—on children affected by armed conflict. As modern warfare evolves, these technologies pose significant legal, ethical, and humanitarian challenges, particularly in ensuring the protection of children in conflict zones.
The Handbook, developed by the Universities Network in close collaboration with the Italian Mission in Geneva, offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary analysis of these challenges. It also outlines practical, rights-based solutions to ensure that technological advancements are aligned with humanitarian principles and international legal standards.
Event Highlights
The event featured opening remarks and moderation by H.E. Vincenzo Grassi, Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations in Geneva.
Speakers included:
Prof. Virginia Gamba, Former Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict
Prof. Fausto Pocar
Prof. Laura Guercio
Prof. Vasilka Sancin
Lawyer Mikiko Otani
Prof. Veronika Fikfak
The event concluded with closing remarks by H.E. Anita Pipan, Permanent Representative of Slovenia.
A Shared Commitment
This initiative reaffirmed Italy’s strong commitment to the protection of children in armed conflict, the advancement of human rights, and the promotion of a gender-sensitive, ethical approach to the governance of emerging military technologies. It also marked a significant step in support of Italy’s candidacy for the United Nations Human Rights Council (2026–2028).
The Universities Network is proud to have contributed to this important dialogue and remains dedicated to promoting research, policy, and education aimed at safeguarding children in times of war.
BOOK LAUNCH
"The European Guidelines and the International Humanitarian Law_ Implementing the EU Guidelines on Promoting Compliance with International Humanitarian Law in relation to children in armed conflict"
The book is published by Gambini Editore Italian Publishing House, realized by UNETCHAC in collaboration with the Institute of Political Studies "S. Pio V" and sponsored by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The event will take place at 12 p.m. CET in Rome, (Press Hall Montecitorio - V. Della Missione 4), and will see the participation of illustrious Representatives of the Italian Parliament, Academic Community and International Organizations.
LINK TO THE LIVE EVENT ONLINE: https://webtv.camera.it/conferenze_stampa
15/09/2023
BOOK PRESENTATION
Event on "Children in Armed Conflicts. The Importance of Raising Awareness Among Young People” where it will be presented the book "Building Competencies and Awareness on the International Protection of Children Affected by Armed Conflict" by UNETCHAC, realized in collaboration with the Institute of Political Studies "San Pio V", published by Gambini Editore Italian Publishing House and sponsored by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation,
👉https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82488619304?pwd=c00rcWp6WE5rb005dXlBUmhVSVN2QT09#success
The Event will take place at 10:10 A.M at the Municipal Library of Terni, with the participation of UNETCHAC Representatives, (Laura Guercio _ Secretary General UNETCHAC, Giovanna Gnerre Landini, Responsible for Universities Relations_ UNETCHAC); the Publisher Isabaella Gambini; connected on-line Samanda Kortoçi, Harold Assou Dodji, Ryad Al Saudi; moderated by Simona Lanzellotto, Project Office Responsable_ UNETCHAC.
«Let's give the young people a voice regarding their hopes for a peaceful future while also making them aware and responsible of the major problems facing the international community, such as granting children's rights in armed conflicts.»
The book is available on Gambini Platform: https://www.gambinieditore.it/novita/365-building-
Watch the video of the book presentation HERE
20-21/11/2022
PHOTO EXHIBITION
On the occasion of the International Conference “Children in Armed Conflict: How can they be protected in a multilevel international framework?”, UNETCHAC presented the traveling exhibition "Networking for a Brighter Future! Empowering Girls for a peaceful, healthy and sustainable world” showing the photos of the Ivorian photographer Mohamed Keita to raise awareness through the universal language of art on the drama of children who suffer armed conflicts.
(Cercle Cité_Luxembourg and University of Luxembourg)
_______
14/03/2022
PHOTO EXHIBITION
"Women and Girls in Sub-Saharan Africa"
Virtual inauguration of the photo exhibition by Mohamed Keita.
On the margins of the 66th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). A photographic exhibition organized by the Network and hosted at the United Nations Headquarters in New York showcases the condition of children in armed conflict and underlines the necessity of working together to protect them.
(UN Headquarters_ New York & virtually)
https://www.uninetworkforchildren.org/news15
https://www.uninetworkforchildren.org/media
_______
2/12/2021
CONCERT
UNIted. A voice for Afghan Women and Girl
A concert that united Italian and Afghan artists, representatives of the institutions and young members of the Afghan community in Rome. An event realized in collaboration with the Italian Conservatory of Music "Santa Cecilia, the Institute of Political Study S.Pio V and the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
(Conservatory of Music "Santa Cecilia"_ Rome, Italy)
https://www.uninetworkforchildren.org/news11
_______
25/10/2021
CONCERT
“Opening Concert of the Fourth International Conference on the Safe School Declaration"
Organized in collaboration with CPM Music Institute of Milan, member of the Network. The concert was opened with the message of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Marina Sereni.
(Abuja, Nigeria - Virtual event)
https://www.uninetworkforchildren.org/news08
