research GROUPS

Last Research activities carried out by UNETCHAC

The Network has established a 'club of friends' of the Network with the college of law at the American University of Iraq Baghdad.

The club's fundamental objective is to promote research, collaboration, and education on the protection of children affected by armed conflicts. It also aims to foster the development of a community of students, professors and institutions committed to safeguarding the rights and well-being of children in war-affected areas.

The Universities Network for Children in Armed Conflict continues to support the involvement in its activities of young people who come from different countries and continents, and some of them from conflict zones. 

The YouthNet International Mediators for long-lasting Peace and Security project has placed young people at the centre. Students involved in the activities have also developed important outcomes, including the drafting of the Manifesto “Advancing the Agenda of UNSC Resolution 1325 and Related Legal Frameworks”, and the realization of podcasts focusing on key themes relating to mediation, protection of children in armed conflict and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. 

The like-minded CAAC working groups are engaged in research focused on issues related to international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and international criminal law.  
The Network has additionally established two new groups of experts researching on two truly sensitive issues. The outcomes will be made public in two distinct reports that are planned to be released in 2026.
- Working group of experts of the network on OHCHR. Calls for inputs for Addendum to General Reccomendation No. 30 (2013) on women in conflict prevention, conflict and post conflict situations in relation to the Women Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.
- Working group of experts of the network on climate change and children in armed conflict.

These research groups aim to address emerging and under explored dimensions of the impact of armed conflict on children, fostering collaboration, research, and policy-oriented outcomes.

INVISIBLE CASUALTIES

Weapons, Climate Change and the Physical and Psychological Health of Children in Armed Conflict

An Interdisciplinary Research Project

A project of the Universities Netwrok for Children in Armed Conflict in cooperation with Emergenza Sorrisi ETS

Executive Summary

Armed conflict is increasingly recognised not only as a humanitarian and security crisis but also as a major driver of environmental degradation and climate insecurity. The use of conventional and emerging weapons contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, destruction of ecosystems, contamination of soil and water, biodiversity loss, and the degradation of natural resources essential for civilian survival. These environmental impacts extend far beyond the battlefield, affecting generations long after hostilities have ceased. Children are among the most vulnerable victims of these interconnected crises. In addition to direct exposure to violence, they face heightened risks of disease, disability, malnutrition, developmental disorders, toxic exposure, displacement, and severe psychological trauma. Environmental destruction further exacerbates these vulnerabilities by undermining access to healthcare, education, clean water, food security, and safe living conditions. Despite growing recognition of the links between armed conflict, environmental degradation, and climate change, little research has examined how these factors interact to shape the physical and mental health of children. Existing studies remain fragmented across environmental sciences, medicine, psychology, international law, and conflict studies. This project seeks to bridge these disciplines by developing the first comprehensive framework for understanding the cumulative environmental, climatic, physical, and psychological impacts of warfare on children. Combining legal analysis, environmental monitoring, epidemiology, psychology, public health, remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and international relations, the project will produce evidence-based recommendations to strengthen international law, humanitarian action, environmental governance, and child-centred post-conflict recovery.

Background and Rationale

Modern warfare leaves profound environmental scars. Military operations consume vast quantities of fossil fuels, release significant greenhouse gas emissions, destroy forests and agricultural land, contaminate water resources, and generate hazardous waste through explosive remnants, damaged industrial infrastructure, and toxic military materials. These environmental harms have direct and indirect consequences for children. Exposure to contaminated environments increases the incidence of respiratory illnesses, cancers, congenital anomalies, neurological disorders, and infectious diseases. Climate-related disruptions, including droughts, extreme weather events, and food insecurity, further compound these risks. Equally significant are the psychological consequences. Children growing up in degraded environments experience chronic stress, eco-anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and disrupted cognitive and emotional development. Environmental destruction often prolongs displacement and undermines community resilience, creating cycles of vulnerability that persist long after armed conflict ends. Recognising these interconnected challenges requires moving beyond traditional approaches to child protection. Environmental protection must be understood as an essential component of safeguarding children's rights, health, and future development.

Research Objectives

The project aims to:

-Examine the environmental impact of weapons and military operations.

-Assess the relationship between environmental degradation and children's physical health.

-Investigate the psychological consequences of environmental destruction during armed conflict.

-Analyse the contribution of warfare to climate change and climate insecurity.

-Evaluate the adequacy of existing international legal frameworks.

-Develop innovative indicators for measuring cumulative environmental and child-health harm.

- Produce policy recommendations for governments, international organisations, and humanitarian actors.



Research Questions

The project will address the following questions:

- How do different categories of weapons contribute to environmental degradation and climate change?
-What environmental pollutants generated by warfare pose the greatest risks to children's health?
-How do environmental destruction and climate insecurity affect children's psychological wellbeing?
-Which legal obligations govern environmental protection during armed conflict?
- How can scientific evidence strengthen accountability for environmental harm affecting children?
-Which recovery strategies best promote children's long-term resilience?

Responsable of the Project Laura Guercio

Experts and components of the research team

  • Simone Amato, RN, PhD
    Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo Forlanini
    Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Heart Transplant Centre and ECMO Centre
    Rome, Italy

Short Biography

Dr. Simone Amato is a Critical Care Nurse at the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Heart Transplant Centre and ECMO Centre of Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo Forlanini in Rome, Italy. He holds a PhD in Nursing Science and Public Health and is actively involved in clinical and academic research, with a particular focus on critical care nursing, mechanical circulatory support, evidence-based practice, and humanitarian healthcare. He serves as a university lecturer in undergraduate and postgraduate nursing programmes and has authored numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications. He is also Head of Research and a member of the Medical-Scientific and Ethics Committee of Emergenza Sorrisi ETS, where he coordinates research activities and contributes to international humanitarian surgical missions in low-resource settings

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‍ Climate Change, Weapon Use, and Children in Armed Conflict

This research group will examine the intersection between armed conflict, environmental degradation, and climate change, with a specific focus on the consequences for children. The use of weapons particularly explosive weapons, chemical agents, and environmentally destructive military practices has long-term ecological impacts that contribute to climate change and environmental instability.

The group will investigate how these environmental consequences exacerbate the vulnerabilities of children in conflict-affected areas, including displacement, food insecurity, health risks, and reduced access to education. It will also explore the cyclical relationship between climate change and conflict, where environmental stressors may fuel further violence, thereby deepening the risks faced by children.

Key objectives include:

  • Analyzing the environmental impact of different types of weapons and military activities.

  • Assessing the short- and long-term effects of environmental degradation on children’s rights and well-being.

  • Contributing to policy discussions on environmental protection in armed conflict with a child-centered perspective.

  • Promoting interdisciplinary collaboration between legal scholars, environmental scientists, and child protection experts.

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    New Technologies and Children in Armed Conflict

This research group will focus on the rapidly evolving role of new technologies in armed conflict and their implications for children. Emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence, autonomous weapons systems, cyber warfare, and digital surveillance—are transforming the nature of warfare and raising new ethical, legal, and humanitarian concerns.

The group will explore both the direct and indirect impacts of these technologies on children. This includes risks such as recruitment and exploitation through digital platforms, exposure to online violence and propaganda, and the use of advanced weapons in populated areas. At the same time, the group will consider how technology might be leveraged to enhance child protection, documentation, and accountability.

Key objectives include:

  • Examining the legal and ethical implications of new military technologies for children’s rights.

  • Investigating how digital environments are used in the recruitment and manipulation of children.

  • Assessing the impact of cyber warfare and information operations on children’s safety and well-being.

  • Identifying opportunities for using technology to support monitoring, reporting, and protection mechanisms.

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Crimes against or affecting children. A Renewal of the ICC Office of the Prosecutor 2016 Policy on Children (analysis and recommendations)

Read and download here

Working Group of Experts
Team Leaders
Laura Guercio
Paolina Massidda

Working Group
Ahmed Al-Fatlawi
Stefano Dominelli
Olena Krytska
Kito Masimango
Fausto Pocar
Domenico Rosani
Silvia Scarpa

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European Union, International Humanitarian Law and Children in armed conflict. Report on the European Union Guidelines on the promotion of compliance with International Humanitarian Law

Coordinators

Laura Guercio

Fausto Pocar
Working Group
Francesca Capone
Stefano Dominelli
Giovanna Gnerre Landini
Giuseppe Martinico
Domenico Rosani
Silvia Scarpa

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International Humanitarian Law and National Jurisdictions. A Study on Relevant National Criminal Law in Europe and on Child Refugees’ Protection

Responsible of the Project

Laura Guercio

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Scientific Committee

Laura Guercio

Stefano Dominelli

Silvia Scarpa

Settimio Stallone

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Participants

Pejman Abdolmohammadi

Giulio Adilardi

Marion Bedi-Visschers

Francesca Capone

Giuseppe Cataldi

Stefano Dominelli

Maria Caterina Federici

Jan Marie Fritz

Bahtije Gërbeshi 

Laura Guercio

Margareth Helfer

Amina Maneggia

Domenico Rosani

Annamaria Rufino

Silvia Scarpa

Settimio Stallone

Stefan Tapeiner

Yvonne Vissing

Working Group activities

Simona Lanzellotto

Giovanna Gnerre Landini

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Like-Minded CAAC Working Groups – UNETCHAC

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Coordination of activities

Giovanna Gnerre Landini

Laura Guercio

Simona Lanzellotto

Working Group on “Children’s right to education in armed conflict”

Harold Assou-Dodji

Sophia de Berardinis

Geri Goga

Samanda Kortoçi

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Working Group on “Children in armed conflict, forced displacement and asylum”

Riyad Al-Saudi

Vitoria Rosso

Liliann Saudii

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Like-Minded CAAC Working Groups – UNETCHAC. Research groups in which students who have taken part in activities and training courses promoted by the Network participate.

Coordination of activities

Giovanna Gnerre Landini

Laura Guercio

Simona Lanzellotto

Working Group on “Children’s Right to Education in Armed Conflict”

Harold Assou-Dodji

Sophia de Berardinis

Geri Goga

Samanda Kortoçi

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Working Group on “Children in Armed Conflict, Forced Displacement and Asylum”

Riyad Al-Saudi

Vitoria Rosso

Liliann Saudi

Working Group on “Children in Armed Conflict, International Justice and Accountability”

Sara Buba

Melis Demiroz

Somidha Ray

Juho Toppari

Alessandra Vicari

Tania Voinea

Mwangati Whenda-Bhose

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