The outgrowth of a 1996 report on the impact of armed conflict on the well-being of children, and preparation for the 2000 International Conference on War-affected Children, this book examines progress made and obstacles encountered since 1996 in relieving the trauma of armed conflict. The stories recount family displacement, the rise of HIV/AIDS in areas of armed conflict, and the way the proliferation of small arms and light weapons ignites and sustains the wars that victimize children. The book also showcases programs that have been in place since 1996 that have made a real difference in the lives of children caught in desperate circumstances. The chapters are: (1) "Wars against Children"; (2) "Child Soldiers"; (3) "Children Forced to Flee"; (4) "Children under Siege from HIV/AIDS"; (5) "Ending Sexual Violence and Exploitation"; (6) "The Toll on Children's Health"; (7) "Promoting Psychosocial Recovery"; (8) "Education for Survival and Development"; (9) "Threats to Life and Limb: Landmines and Unexploded Ordnance"; (10) "Small Arms, Light Weapons: Mass Destruction"; (11) "Protecting Children from Sanctions"; (12) "Raising Standards for Child Protection"; (13) "Women and the Peace Process"; (14) "Media and Communications"; and (15) "A Children's Agenda for Peace and Security." A photographic essay on children and war is embedded in the book. (Contains extensive notes organized by chapter. (HTH)