Children+in+Armed+Conflict


 * __ Children in Armed Conflict __**

__ Child Soldiers __ In certain parts of the world, children as young as 7 years old are used as soldiers. Because it is thought to be easy to influence, manipulate, and exploit a young, **vulnerable** child, some military commanders have **recruited** and also **kidnapped** children into their armies.

The life of children in armed conflict is a difficult one. Whether are they are **child soldiers**, sex slaves, guards, cooks or messengers, they all witness and experience traumatic **atrocities**. They handle **weaponry** such as AK 47s and G4s which they are commanded to use to harm or kill their enemies, other child soldiers, and sometimes even members of their own family. They may also carry out other dangerous activities such as **putting out** land mines and explosives. Their living conditions are usually not very good, and they **lack** sufficient food, a proper education, and access to healthcare. They are abused, brutalized, and humiliated so that they will be obedient, and in some instances, they are given drugs so that they will do these dangerous tasks.

__ Reintegrating Children in Armed Conflict Back into Society __

Just because a child has been removed from an army, does not mean the problem is solved. One of the hardest jobs that the United Nations and partner organizations have is to **reintegrate** these children back into society. Besides treating the children’s **psychological wounds**, organizations must try to locate their families and reconnect them, physically and emotionally, to their families. When drugs have been involved, it is necessary to deal with any addictions that they child might have as well. It is a long and difficult process.

__ “Zero Under 18” __

Right now, the UN has a campaign called “Zero Under 18.” Its **goal** is that no child under the age of 18 participates in any army or in any war.

__Questions to Think About: __


 * 1)  Why are there more child soldiers in some parts of the world than others
 * 2) What armed conflicts is your government currently involved in
 * 3) Does your country have a high percentage of child soldiers? Why or why not?
 * 4) If your country has child soldiers, what is the biggest problem that your government must face in solving this problem? (i.e., drugging of children, abduction or recruitment, girls in war, diseases among child soldiers, etc.)?
 * 5) What sort of solutions is your government //capable// of offering?
 * 6) What sort of help does your government need to request from the international community and what can they give in exchange for this help? (think of solutions other than monetary ones).
 * 7) How can your government help former child soldiers re-enter “normal” society?