World Vision | Child Soldier TV
World Vision’s UK branch wanted a non-traditional film to turn heads and draw attention to their global campaign: It Takes a World to End Violence Against Children. The campaign calls upon the government and the Department for International Development (DfID) to increase spending on support for children affected by violence. In many countries around the world, children are forced to become child soldiers, exposing them to a brutal life that many will never escape.
The film, which I wrote and directed, focuses on the message that when violence begins, childhood ends. We wanted to recreate the same style of Saturday morning cartoons that many of us enjoyed growing up. As violence begins to intrude upon the story, it becomes clear we are no longer watching any ordinary cartoon.
World Vision youth advocates deliver the petition to Parliament
The film was featured prominently by World Vision during Red Hand Day, the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers.
Art the end of the film, viewers are encouraged to sign a petition urging the government to increase spending on projects that safeguard children from violence.
The petition received a total of 34,627 signatures. World Vision delivered the petition at a special event attended by MPs including DFID Minister Harriet Baldwin, who responded by saying: “Ending violence against children is a priority for the Government and I commend you for raising greater attention to the issue…I am pleased that World Vision continues to engage DFID on this issue.”
World Vision are now talking to DFID officials about how the UK can track its humanitarian aid to make sure a more adequate proportion is spent on ending violence against children in emergencies.