Leuven (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – First-year students at Santa Maria School in Leuven have again released a video highlighting the impact of war on children and urging adults to take responsibility. King Philippe responded to their message last year.
As VRT News reported, students at Santa Maria School in Leuven have released a new video to draw attention to the impact of war on children. Last year, their letter and video message to King Philippe earned them a personal audience and a mention in the King’s Christmas address.
The first-year students are now back with “What would you do?”, a video that shows each student holding a single match. The match is small, but it can either create light or cause destruction. The students use this symbol to show that children cannot carry the burden of war, fear, and loss.
How are Leuven students highlighting the war’s impact on children to King Philippe?
According to counsellor Michiel Crijns, often, children have to live with the consequences of choices made or avoided by adults. Still, it is the adults who set the course for society. He mentioned that explaining this to children is difficult, especially when justice is lacking.
Michiel Crijns said the video aims to make feelings of frustration and powerlessness visible. The students use words and images to show the emotions they feel when faced with events beyond their control.
The video ends with a message:
“How long… before you do something?”
Crijns said the students are not offering solutions. Their role is to ask the questions, while adults must respond. He mentioned that the video shows the gap between youth and authority and emphasises that children are directly affected by inaction.
First-year students of Santa Maria School in Leuven wrote and sent a letter and video to King Philippe of Belgium in October 2024. They expressed their concern about children suffering in conflict areas. The students, aged mostly 12 and 13, said they were appalled by seeing victims their own age and wanted to create awareness.
The King referenced their message during his speech on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024, and called their video “moving and full of hope.” He also praised the children’s empathy. The King stressed that adults will need to take responsibility to protect children and address injustices in the world.
