The proliferation of small arms remains a daunting challenge for the African continent; its persistence empowers rebel movements and national governments to foment conflict and commit mass human rights violations. Recognizing the supply and demand pressures for small arms, non-governmental organizations have resolved to act. Three years ago, Amnesty International, Oxfam and the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) united to launch the Control Arms Campaign. Last month, the Control Arms Campaign presented UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan the "Million Faces Petition," a visual petition by one million people from over 160 countries calling for tough global controls on the arms trade and an Arms Trade Treaty.

On June 16th, the world celebrated The Day of the African Child to commemorate student uprisings in Soweto, South Africa in 1976.  Demanding a better quality of education, thousands of black school children took to the streets in protest. Hundreds of children were shot and more than 100 people were killed.   This day honors the memory of those killed and the courage of those who protested.  It supports the important role that children have to play in fighting injustice and bringing about change.