Award winning "Lost Children" takes place in a Caritas project for the reintegration of child soldiers in North Uganda. This movie depicts the struggles of four children who escaped from their fate as child soldiers and arrive at a reception centre in order to be reintegrated in their origin communities.

The 19-year civil war in Uganda is one of the most bloody and gruesome instances of modern warfare. Ugandan children are being abducted and forced into combat, and those who are caught trying to escape are often beaten or killed. The few who are able to escape are considered perpetrators and are rejected by society, making reintegration and rehabilitation difficult.


Caritas social workers accompany the children to families and communities and aid both sides through the adjustment process. Children are given a chance at a new life in society.

"Lost Children" had its world premiere at the 55th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2005, and received several prestigious prizes including the UNICEF Award.

The movie was also screened in the European Parliament on Thursday 23 February 2006. The screening was sponsored by MEP Johan van Hecke, Vice-Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Human Rights, and co-organized by the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers and Human Rights Watch.