One in five children
520 million children around the world are affected by wars or violent conflict.
That’s one in five children globally!
Some children are unable to go to school.
Some children don’t know when they will receive their next meal.
Some children don’t have warm clothes or a safe home.
Sometimes there is no electricity.
No television. No opportunities for sports, music, or other hobbies.
Many children are unable to sleep well and have nightmares.
No child should live with this kind of insecurity.
All children have the same rights.
All children have a right to safety and peace.
520 million children.
It’s a large number, but behind the statistic are real children.
In this exhibition, one in five drawings represents a child affected by wars or violent conflict.
A child with a name.
A child with dreams.
They all deserve peace.
“I miss my friends at home. I don’t know where they are.“
Samah (3) from Sudan.
“I want to go to school to play with my friends. I love learning, even though I’ve never been to school before.“
Ihsan (7) from Syria.
“I don’t give darkness or war a chance to change me“
Veronika (16) from Ukraine.
“I want to become a police officer when I grow up.“
Sufia (11) from Myanmar.
This group of children from Gaza envision a future of safety, peace and freedom where laughter, color and light will banish every shadow.
Children from Gaza
Children never start wars
But too many children are affected by wars and violent conflict.
If we stand together, we can help make the world better.
We can all do something. We can all work for peace. Even here in peaceful Iceland.
We can take care of each other. We can respond when we witness injustice and speak up when we are treated with disrespect. We can help each other understand one another better and work for peace together.
We can make the world a better place.
The first step is to care.
What will you do to make the world a better place?
Write your ideas and share them with us using the post box.
Support the UNICEF Iceland emergency fund.
The pictures in this exhibition were made by children in the following UNICEF Child Rights Schools:
Álfhólsskóli, Engjaskóli, Flataskóli, Fossvogsskóli, Giljaskóli, Grandaskóli, Háaleitisskóli, Hamraskóli, Hlíðarskóli, Laugarnesskóli, Lundarskóli, Naustaskóli, Síðuskóli, Smáraskóli, Snælandsskóli, Vatnsendaskóli og Vesturbæjarskóli.
Special thanks to the young artists for caring and for helping us raise awareness. Thanks also to teachers and school administrators for helping make the exhibition a reality.
We are grateful to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Harpa for their support in enabling this exhibition.