Who is Mr. Otunnu?

In 1997, Mr. Olara Otunnu, an Undersecretary General of the United Nations, was named as the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict. His mandate is to protect children at every phase of conflict: preventively before conflict erupts, in the midst of conflict, and in post-conflict situations. Mr. Otunnu believes that young people can be the most effective advocates for their peers, and is thus working to create a "Children - to - Children" network. He believes that as young people gain a better understanding of their peers elsewhere, a movement of solidarity will grow and, ultimately, children will become outspoken advocates on behalf of those suffering as a result of armed conflict.