Marist NGOs for Peace — Launch of “My Name is Childhood”
International Day of Non-Violence — 2 October 2025
On the International Day of Non-Violence, the Marist Foundation for International Solidarity ETS (FMSI) and SED – Solidaridad, Educación, Desarrollo launch an open campaign for peace that places childhood and children’s rights at the center of public attention: “My Name is Childhood”.
The initiative works on a symbolic level — giving a name to each child (real or fictional) and speaking through that name — to show what it means to be a child in places where crises or war put their rights at risk. This narrative approach reflects the Marist commitment to peace and the protection of children’s rights.
Why this campaign?
With 56 countries in conflict — such as Ukraine and Palestine, Yemen, Syria, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Haiti, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and South Sudan — severely affecting the lives of thousands of rights-holders, this campaign focuses especially on the most vulnerable population: children and young adolescents.
According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, their rights to life, survival, and development, to identity and family, to education and safe environments must prevail over war and guide policies, decisions, and communication.
A collective call
This campaign belongs to everyone. We invite the Marist family, NGOs, the international community, world leaders, and humanitarian organizations to join in a single voice and shared commitment.
What we ask for
An approach that prioritizes children’s rights in all crisis responses, with the dignity and best interests of the child as the primary consideration.
Unhindered humanitarian access to ensure the protection of civilians.
Safe schools, keeping educational spaces free from violence and ensuring safe access to learning.
Ethical communication, in line with safeguarding standards, that does not expose minors to risk.
How you can join
You can participate by using the campaign symbol and endorsing the statement, supporting a shared demand: that children’s rights are always put first.
Shared symbol and participation
The coalition presents a unifying emblem — a dove carrying a kite (childhood and peace) — to be used consistently in appeals and meetings (corner/logo watermark or background) and shared on websites and social media (avatars, headers, banners).
We invite everyone to adopt the participatory model “My Name is Childhood” to make visible, with a name and a location, where and how children’s rights are at risk.
Read the official statement here.
Hashtags: #MyNameIsChildhood #MiNombreEsInfanciaRead the official statement here.
We share a kit of digital materials including the main versions of the symbol and suggested applications for organizations that wish to join the campaign.
