Publication: Child Soldiers - Lessons Learned on Prevention, Demobilization, and Reintegration
Date
2002-05
ISSN
Published
2002-05
Author(s)
Verhey, Beth
Abstract
As highlighted in the seminal UN study
on the "Impact of armed conflict on children," an
increased involvement of recent decades, stands as one of
the most egregious child rights violations. Yet, a new study
"Child soldiers: preventing, demobilizing, and
reintegrating," demonstrates that children, and youth
involved in armed conflict can re-engage positive social
relations, and productive civilian lives. Such reintegration
of child soldiers, in tandem with community recovery for
children affected by armed conflict, is a key area of
post-conflict reconstruction, and sustainable development
goals. The study draws on experiences, and lessons learned,
primarily from in-depth case studies in Angola and El
Salvador, and integrates other country program experiences.
Prevention lessons outline the vital role of civil society,
and the need for external support; demobilization lessons
stress that child soldiers must be specifically included in
peace agreements and demobilization processes; and,
reintegration lessons highlight three components essential
to effective reintegration: family reunification;
psychosocial support; and, education and economic opportunity.
Citation
“Verhey, Beth. 2002. Child Soldiers - Lessons Learned on Prevention, Demobilization, and Reintegration. Africa Region Findings & Good Practice Infobriefs; No. 207. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/0cc29945-518e-5312-ae0a-f0ba0ec04ff8 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”