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General Dallaire - Chocolate diplomacy with children recruited and used as soldiers in Rwanda

Explain to students that Lieutenant-General (retired) Roméo Dallaire commanded the UN Peacekeeping mission in Rwanda. The mission, including Canadian forces, occurred during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Roméo Dallaire witnessed many difficult things during his time there. Today, we will learn about one particular incident that shaped his life after service in the military. 

In this video we will also hear from Tareq Hadhad. The Hadhad family fled war in Syria. They arrived in Canada as refugees. The family started a chocolate factory in Nova Scotia called Peace by Chocolate. Today, they are advocates for peace.

Watch: Video - A powerful piece of chocolate 4 minutes 43 seconds

Video discussion

Ask students about their impressions of the story told by Lieutenant-General Dallaire. Questions you might wish to explore include:

  • What do you think about adults recruiting children as soldiers?
  • Why do you think it is more difficult for a peacekeeper to deal with children recruited and used as soldiers than adults?
  • How did the chocolate bar help General Dallaire defuse this tense situation?

Explain to students that Lieutenant-General Dallaire continued to be a leader when he returned to Canada. He bravely talked in public about his struggle with PTSD. This helped other soldiers also dealing with PTSD understand that they are not alone. He served as a Senator in Canada’s Parliament. He also began the Dallaire Institute, which works hard to end the recruitment and use of child soldiers worldwide.


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