A Guide to Writing Letters to Protect Children in War

Do you want to stand up for children in war and demand protection and accountability from leaders? One way to do this is by writing a letter.

Letters are a way to share your voice, opinions, and demands with someone who has the power to make a change. A clear message from you can remind decision makers that children’s lives matter, that they must act, and that we all share the responsibility to protect them. Choose a national authority or a global leader, adapt the letter templates below, and make your voice heard.

How to get started?

You only need to follow these 5 steps

1. Decide who to write to: Who in your community, country, or the world has the power to make decisions for children? It could be your mayor, a member of parliament, your president or prime minister, or global leaders like the United Nations or UNICEF.
2. Choose a letter template: Pick one of the letters we have prepared for you in this document and use it as your starting point.
3. Make it your own: Add your own words, ideas, or feelings. You can share why you care or what you think leaders should do for children in war. Be clear about what you want to achieve, whether it’s raising awareness, asking for action, or suggesting solutions.  
4. Send it out: Post it, email it, or even hand it to your local authority if possible. If you cannot reach them directly, ask a teacher, parent, or community leader to help you find the right channel.
5. Spread the word! Tell your friends, school, or community about what you wrote. Encourage them to also send letters – we need as many voices as possible to ignite hope, raise awareness, and inspire action!

Some tips that might help you

• Remember, the more genuine your letter is, the stronger it will be.
• Advocacy works best when it’s polite, clear, and solution-oriented.
• Avoid insults or overly emotional language; instead, focus on facts, personal experiences, and positive suggestions.
• Feel confident that your voice matters.
• A strong advocacy letter is usually short, focused, and easy to read.
• Remember to include what you want the reader to do.