LBL Foundation for Children

LBL^[1] Foundation for Children is an independent international organization, devoted to investing in education, healing and hope for children, particularly in communities devastated by war.

The inspiration for LBL emerged from the ground. During his many visits to communities in the midst of war, the president and founder of LBL was constantly struck by what they invariably cried out for from the outside world: “Tell the world, we need their help with two things, above all - - help us end this war and help us provide schooling for our children”. And the children were incredible - -full of spirit, precocious intelligence and hunger for learning. In spite of their impossible circumstances, these children dare to dream of becoming doctors, teachers, engineers, nurses and soccer champions. It is critical to invest in the education of children whose lives have been dislocated by war. This is the best way to provide hope, healing and a future for these children and their communities. It is also the best investment in long-term peace, stability and democracy in societies emerging from protracted conflict. When they are constructively engaged, in school, and are active participants, war-affected youth can be an important force for rebuilding their societies. But when they feel marginalized, alienated, embittered and without hope, the same youth can easily turn into an army of spoilers, and a recruiting pool to fight new wars. Such youth also become much more vulnerable to radical indoctrination and enlistment by terrorist entrepreneurs.

Investing in the education of children and youth is the most effective way to facilitate overall recovery and development in a war-torn society. This must become a priority of first order, and reflected in the allocation of resources and the design of post-conflict programs.

To this end, LBL’s goal is to mobilize and provide support, in the most direct ways possible, to the children and their communities; initially focusing on developing prototypes which can then serve as templates for broader action and engagement. LBL concentrates on supporting communities to recover and rebuild, primarily through the following activities:

--Investing in schools and integrated programs.

--Empowering war-affected youth, through leadership training programs, ‘Voice of Children’ radio programs, and international youth-to-youth networks.

--Drawing international attention to neglected conflict situations, where children are gravely affected; and pressing for full compliance with international protection laws and standards, particularly the enforcement of UN Security Council Resolution 1612 of 2005.

In this domain of activities, LBL draws on the extensive experience and leadership of its president, Olara A. Otunnu. As UN Under Secretary General and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict (1997-2005), he spearheaded the international campaign to develop and mobilize international action on behalf of children exposed to war. He served as the moral voice for these children, promoting measures for their protection in times of war and for their healing and social reintegration in the aftermath of conflict. He was the architect of the groundbreaking comprehensive compliance mechanism for the protection of war-affected children, unanimously adopted by the UN Security Council in Resolution 1612 in 2005. This regime is the first of its kind to be established by the UN.

Olara A. Otunnu has been widely acclaimed for his passion, courage and international leadership in the domains of human rights, peace and security, and the protection of children. In recognition of his leadership and contributions in these areas, Olara A. Otunnu has been awarded several international prizes, including the Sydney Peace Prize (2005), the German Africa Prize (2002), and Global Award for Outstanding Contribution to Human Rights. He has been designated World Children’s Ombudsman by the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child (WCPRC). These awards have served as inspiration and catalysts for the formation of LBL.

[1] The initials ";LBL"; are in tribute and celebration of the lives and examples of three role models and heroes, whose examples are extraordinary and inspirational and who were particularly devoted to children and young people:

• Archbishop Janani Luwum (20^th century Christian martyr), who was the primate of the Anglican church for Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Boga-Zaire (Eastern DRC); he was murdered by Idi Amin in 1977;
• Professor Okot p'Bitek, teacher, philosopher, literary pioneer and poet (1931- 1982);
• Dr. Matthew Lukwiya, Superintendent of St. Mary's Hospital, Lacor, a devoted and courageous physician who ultimately gave his own life to save those rendered utterly vulnerable in northern Uganda (1957-2000).