About us

The International Research Center, based in Dakhla, Morocco, aims to build a hub for the production and dissemination of the best research on child soldier prevention. The Center aims to extend to all continents its research on the prevention of child exploitation in conflict zones in order to broaden our understanding of the issues involved, but also to move away from the stigma that the African continent is the only one struggling with this problem.

Children living in conflict zones are highly vulnerable due to many factors and are too often forcibly recruited as soldiers. These children often spend years immersed in systems of violence, building their values and identities under the direction of armed groups. They are used as vectors of violence and terrorism rather than given the opportunity to become citizens capable of building a stable peace.

Despite the volume of international treaties and conventions, why is it so difficult to protect children in conflict zones? What do we know about the use and exploitation of child soldiers, and why are children still routinely recruited and used in bloody wars? How can their exploitation be prevented?

The Vision

Prevent the use of child soldiers in conflict

The Mission

• Increase research on the use of child soldiers in conflict zones through the development of new partnerships and action research models.

• Heighten the impact of research to ensure the wide dissemination of knowledge that can directly impact policy-making.

• Carry the voices of use of child soldiers in conflict zones.

• Train future researchers in research related to the prevention of use of child soldiers in conflict zones.

• Provide quality training and best practice to support stakeholders (government, NGOs, civil society) working in conflict zones where children are at risk of recruitment by parties in armed conflicts.

• Develop and deepen the integration of an international dimension into the Center’s activities, as well as to support and encourage the integration of activities of other centres and research chairs.

• Accelerate the advancement of knowledge to best protect children in emerging conflicts.

The Values

• Every Child Matters
• Excellence and performance
• Rigour and scientific integrity
• Collaboration and sharing of knowledge

Main Objectives

• Main objectives
• Bringing science and society closer together
• Improving synergy between researchers
• Improving on the quality and relevance of research
• Increasing the number of grants and scholarships from peer-reviewed organizations
• Increasing the critical mass of researchers in research on child soldiers
• Developing quality supervision and training for graduate students
• Organizing scientific activities and events
• Reinforcing collaboration with other groups and organizations
• Increasing private sector investmentsto fund new research projects

Why Morocco

The International Research Center selected Morocco for its pivotal role as:

• Mediator in regional and international conflicts
• Peacekeeper, with 70,000 Blue Berets deployed since 1960
• Peacebuilder, actively supporting post-conflict stabilization and reconciliation efforts

Morocco ranks 11th globally in peacekeeping, dedicating troops and resources to African Union and United Nations missions, particularly in regions where children’s rights are at heightened risk.