The Nairobi Process is a stakeholder-led initiative supported by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG CAAC) aimed to better the reintegration of children formerly associated with armed forces and armed groups (CAAFAG) into peaceful life. It was established in 2021 to facilitate consultations among the CAAFAG, to provide them with a new platform for discussion, and to present their ideas and recommendations to decision-makers in the UN, African Union, donors, NGOs and others with influence over reintegration projects. The Nairobi Process is currently led by child reintegration stakeholders in more than 10 countries in Africa, America, and Asia.
The Nairobi Process follows the establishment, in 2018, of an alliance of Member States, UN agencies, the World Bank, civil society organizations and academia, co-chaired by the SRSG CAAC and UNICEF, called the Global Coalition for Reintegration of Child Soldiers (GCR). One of the consultations of the GCR was held with a number of former CAAFAG to listen to their experiences and ideas for the meaningful reintegration of children back into a peaceful life. Emanating from consultations was the suggestion to organize a larger meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, in order to bring more voices into the discussions. The OSRSG CAAC has embraced this concept and is now acting as a guarantor to this stakeholder-led process.
Throughout 2021, several in-person consultations at the national and local levels were held by focal points of the Process. Specific recommendations have been formulated as a result of the dialogues with and between the CAAFAG. Some additional consultations with relevant reintegration stakeholders took place as well. Consequently, five Working Groups have been created to discuss the list of Recommendations. This first phase of the Process will culminate with the International Symposium to be hosted by the OSRSG CAAC together with partnering NGOs and UN entities in 2023. The objective of the International Symposium is to present to an international audience and to discuss the national recommendations resulting from an inclusive process engaging former children, as well as other reintegration stakeholders.
