AUTUMN SCHOOL 2025
Rebirth: Empowerment and Rehabilitation of Children in Armed Conflict, with a Focus on Girls
24 November – 5 December 2025
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The 5th Edition of the Autumn School, organized by the Universities Network for Children in Armed Conflict (UNETCHAC), marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing commitment of the Network to promote education, research, and advocacy for the rights and well-being of children affected by armed conflict. This year’s central theme, Reintegration, addresses one of the most complex, urgent, and multidimensional challenges in the field of child protection in conflict and post-conflict settings, with a particular emphasis on girls and young women.
Reintegration refers to the comprehensive process through which children formerly associated with armed forces or armed groups—including those who have been recruited, abducted, exploited, or otherwise impacted by violence—are supported in returning to civilian life. For girls, this process often involves unique challenges, such as addressing sexual and gender-based violence, social stigmatization, interrupted education, early marriage, and the specific psychosocial impacts of conflict. Reintegration is not merely logistical or administrative; it is deeply human, psychological, social, and political. It entails restoring a child’s dignity, rebuilding their sense of identity, and providing them with opportunities for healing, education, and empowerment, with tailored support that recognizes the distinct needs of girls. Without proper reintegration, children—particularly girls—remain vulnerable to re-recruitment, discrimination, and long-term marginalization.
The Autumn School serves as a vital platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, bringing together students, young people, academics, practitioners, and international experts from across the globe. This convergence of diverse perspectives is essential to foster critical thinking, share best practices, and inspire innovative solutions that are locally grounded and internationally informed. It is also an opportunity to amplify the voices of young people, especially girls affected by conflict, ensuring that policy and programming are informed by their lived experiences and aspirations. Through a combination of lectures, panel discussions, interactive workshops, and testimonies, the Autumn School will explore the multifaceted dimensions of reintegration: from legal and institutional frameworks to psychosocial support, from transitional justice and education to community reconciliation and resilience building. Special focus will be given to gender-sensitive approaches, addressing the specific barriers faced by girls and highlighting the role of girls as active agents of change. Cultural contexts and the role of local actors, including youth and civil society organizations, will also be central to these discussions.
As a hybrid event (first week hybrid; second week online) with strong digital engagement, the Autumn School continues to expand its reach, enabling participation from all regions of the world. This accessibility aligns with UNETCHAC’s mission: to build a truly global network of knowledge and action that transcends borders and disciplines.
In a world where children—especially girls—continue to be disproportionately affected by armed conflicts, the imperative to ensure meaningful reintegration is not only a moral duty but also a strategic investment in sustainable peace and human development. The 5th Edition of the Autumn School reaffirms this commitment and seeks to contribute—through knowledge, dialogue, and solidarity—to a more just, equitable, and compassionate world. This Autumn School is organized as part of a broader project titled Rebirth: Empowerment and Rehabilitation of Girls in Armed Conflict, supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs within the framework of the Italian National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
Programme Structure: Two Weeks, Two Perspectives
The 5th edition of the Autumn School is structured into two distinct but complementary weeks: Week One will be entirely designed and led by members of the YouthNet – Mediators for Peace and Security, a youth platform established by UNETCHAC in 2024. This initiative reflects the Network’s firm commitment to promoting meaningful youth participation in international peace and security efforts. Throughout the week, young leaders and emerging scholars will organise and facilitate discussions, activities, and presentations centered on the reintegration of children in conflict contexts. Their work will be supported and mentored by professors and members of the Network’s Working Group. This model not only empowers young people to engage as knowledge producers and advocates, but also provides a dedicated space for youth-driven dialogue — a core principle of the Network's mission to foster inclusive and intergenerational approaches to global challenges. Week Two will be curated and led by academic members of UNETCHAC, featuring lectures, panel discussions, and thematic sessions conducted by professors and international experts. This week will provide a more structured academic framework and will delve deeper into legal, psychosocial, educational, and policy dimensions of reintegration. Together, the two weeks offer a dynamic balance between practice-oriented youth engagement and expert-driven academic inquiry.
This Autumn School is not only an academic event but also a space for reflection, and action. In a world where armed conflict continues to jeopardize the futures of millions of children, the need for inclusive, rights-based, and sustainable reintegration strategies has never been greater. We invite all participants to join us in this vital journey of learning, critical thinking, and collective responsibility
Target Participants
This Autumn School is designed for a wide range of participants, including:
● Final-year undergraduate students in law, international relations, political science, anthropology, sociology, psychology, and education
● Master’s and PhD students in related disciplines
● Practitioners and professionals working in child protection, humanitarian aid, peacebuilding, human rights, development, and international security
Course Overview
This interdisciplinary and practice-oriented programme offers an in-depth exploration of the reintegration of children affected by armed conflict. Participants will engage with case studies, international frameworks, and practical tools that reflect both academic research and field-based experience.
Key topics include:
● International legal frameworks and child protection standards
● Trauma-informed and psychosocial approaches
● Education and livelihood strategies for reintegration
● Transitional justice and mechanisms of accountability
● Community-based reintegration and social cohesion
● Gender, identity, and inclusive reintegration policies
Learning Objectives
By the end of the Autumn School, participants will be able to:
1. Critically analyse the legal, social, and political dimensions of child reintegration in conflict and post-conflict contexts.
2. Evaluate key international standards and emerging practices in child protection and reintegration.
3. Examine comparative case studies of reintegration programmes across diverse geographical and cultural settings.
4. Identify persistent challenges and formulate innovative, context-sensitive solutions.
5. Participate in interdisciplinary dialogue and networking with global experts, practitioners, and peers.
Course Features
● Expert-led sessions: Lectures, simulations, panel discussions, and interactive roundtables with leading scholars and field practitioners
● Pre-course Reading Pack: Distributed to all participants to ensure foundational knowledge
● Access to Recorded Sessions: Available for all registered participants, supporting flexibility across time zones
● Digital Networking Platform: Facilitates ongoing dialogue, collaboration, and peer learning
● Youth Perspectives Week: A space dedicated to student-led contributions and discussion
Certificate of Completion
Participants who attend at least 80% of the sessions (live or recorded) and actively engage in programme activities — including the Youth Perspectives Week — will receive a Certificate of Completion issued by the Universities Network for Children in Armed Conflict.
The Autumn School is Free of charge for the participants.