Italy Hosts Event in Geneva to Address Child Protection in Warfare

Geneva: Italy, in collaboration with Slovenia and the Universities Network for Children in Armed Conflicts (UNETCHAC), organized a significant event at Villa Rigot in Geneva, focusing on the protection of children amidst the evolving landscape of warfare. This event was held on the sidelines of the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council, addressing the complex interplay between emerging technologies and child protection in conflict zones.

According to Ansa News Agency, the event featured the launch of the volume “New Technologies and Children in Armed Conflicts: Legal, Ethical, and Humanitarian Challenges in the Age of AI and Autonomous Weapons.” This work, conceived and edited by Professors Fausto Pocar and Laura Guercio for UNETCHAC, delves into the challenges posed by advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons systems in modern warfare.

The initiative underscores Italy’s enduring commitment to safeguarding children in war-torn areas, a commitment reiterated by the President of the Republic at the recent Burgio Award Ceremony. This event follows a related side-event hosted by Italy during the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in April.

Prominent speakers included Vasilka Sancin, a Slovenian judge at the European Court, Mikiko Otani, a Japanese lawyer and expert on children’s rights, and Virginia Gamba, former UN Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict. They contributed to discussions on international accountability, ethical standards, and legal frameworks in the use of new technologies during wartime.

Ambassador Vincenzo Grassi, Italy’s Permanent Representative in Geneva, emphasized the importance of fostering international discourse on these issues. He highlighted Italy’s ongoing contributions to the protection of children’s human rights in conflict settings, expressing Italy’s aspirations as a candidate member of the Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 mandate.