By Kim McCall, Ph.D., lecturer in the M.S. in Nonprofit Management program, School of Professional Studies
I recently participated in the United Nations Summit for the Future, discussing the rights of refugee children and youth. In conflict-affected areas around the world, more than 460 million children are living under the shadow of violence and war. One in six children globally grows up near a conflict zone, and more than 32 million have never had the opportunity to attend school because of such dire circumstances. These staggering numbers are not just statistics—they represent real lives, children who have been robbed of safety, stability, and a future.
I’ve dedicated my career to the nonprofit sector—scaling impact, growing revenue, developing programs, championing equity, and teaching in Columbia’s M.S. in Nonprofit Management program. This semester, I’m teaching The Nonprofit Sector: Scope and Impact, one of the program’s core courses. In class, we discuss how organizations address societal needs, the importance of ethics in the field, and the nature of the United States’ nonprofit sector as it relates to the global civil society.
Today, as the executive director of Children in Conflict, a member of the War Child Alliance—a global network operating in 19 countries across Africa, Europe, and North America—I am more committed than ever to ensuring these children have the support they need to survive and thrive. Our mission is to protect, educate, and empower children caught in the crossfire of war. Through partnerships with influential ambassadors and advocates, we are making a profound difference.
Recently, I had the life-changing experience of visiting Uganda, where War Child is doing extraordinary work to help children whose lives have been devastated by conflict. War Child’s programs provide not only the essentials—food, water, safety, and education—but also the emotional and psychological support that is just as crucial. These initiatives are helping children rebuild their lives, giving them hope for a future that seems almost unimaginable in the face of such adversity.
One moment from my trip stands out: meeting a mother of seven at the Kiryandongo reception center. She fled Sudan after her husband and two sons were killed, yet despite her unimaginable loss, she remains determined to build a better future for her children. Her kids, who dream of becoming doctors, lawyers, and teachers, are a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Their hope, even in the face of such tragedy, fuels my drive to do more and reach more children who need us.
Uganda’s open-door policy for refugees is unique, offering nearly two million people from Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and the Democratic Republic of Congo the right to work, own land, and access essential services like healthcare and education. But the refugee settlements are filling up fast, and the needs are only growing. This is where War Child’s work becomes vital.
For instance, War Child’s TeamUp program is building emotional resilience in children by helping them develop social and behavioral skills. Through the organization’s Can’t Wait to Learn initiative, we’re providing access to education through innovative online platforms, ensuring that children have the opportunity to continue learning even in the midst of conflict. And the best part? These programs are backed by extensive research, ensuring they are effective in helping children overcome the trauma of war.
The work War Child is doing is nothing short of transformative. We’re not just helping children survive. We’re also giving them the tools to pursue their dreams of building a safer, stronger future for themselves. They are reclaiming their childhoods.
This experience in Uganda deepened my commitment to the children we serve. Every child deserves a chance at a better life, no matter where they’re born or what their circumstances are. While the challenges are significant, together we can provide hope, opportunity, and a brighter future for millions of children worldwide.
About the Program
Columbia University’s M.S. in Nonprofit Management prepares graduates for leadership roles within mission-driven organizations in a wide variety of contexts, including global and community nonprofits, foundations, education, health care, and the arts, or as fundraising and development experts.
