See the Center for Global Development blog for a posting of mine on the reintegration of child soldiers:
Former Child Soldiers: Pariahs or Productive Citizens? Why Our Hype Can Harm: This week, Congress is debating a Child Soldiers bill that would place limits on U.S. support to countries that do not disarm, demobilize and rehabilitate child soldiers in state forces. We should not be surprised. The past 18 months has seen a flurry of advocacy and especially media attention to the issue of child soldiers, especially in Africa.
One Response
Chris,
I worked with a group of former child soldiers this past summer at the Buduburam refugee camp in Ghana. They are really a unique bunch of guys (and girls). When they realized that they were not going to be given the opportunity to participate in a formal DDR program, or receive any kind of assistance to reintegrate, they came together and decided to provide opportunities for themselves. The Veteran Child Soldier Association of Liberia was founded in order to provide this particular group of former child soldiers with the opportunity to reintegrate, create their own support network, provide scholarships, community programs, and medical care for their members.
Ishmael Beah’s book (however it may play into the child soldier myths), illustrates that reintegration and rehabilitation is possible. Why should they (or we) aim for anything less?
This past summer I was impressed by the members of this organization, their hope for the future, and their commitment to each other and the community. They have started a study class for children (a kind of pre-school as well as an after school homework aid program), they have conducted clean ups of the refugee camp through their sanitation department, they have provided scholarships and education opportunities for their members… they have helped to found an art school for the children at the refugee camp in order to help facilitate healing and creativity…
The trauma and psychological damage incurred by years of fighting in undoubtable, but not insurmountable.
I have enjoyed reading your work, and continue to look forward to reviewing your findings.
I’d love to chat with you sometime regarding your findings on reintegration…
I’ve been working at the Ford Institute for Human Security under Dr. Simon Reich, as well as working on some independent research with Vera Achvarina, and trying to establish a reintegration program for this particular group of former child soldiers at Buduburam through Mediators Beyond Borders… I think I saw you at this summer’s Exercise Prodigal Child at the KAIPTC in Ghana… but I’m not sure. I know I saw Mike Wessels…