Child Soldiers - Lessons Learned on Prevention, Demobilization, and Reintegration

Verhey, Beth

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: ADOLESCENTS;    ADVOCACY;    AGGRESSION;    ARMED CONFLICT;    CHILD DEVELOPMENT;   

RP-ID  :  24811

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

As highlighted in the seminal UN studyon the "Impact of armed conflict on children," anincreased involvement of recent decades, stands as one ofthe most egregious child rights violations. Yet, a new study"Child soldiers: preventing, demobilizing, andreintegrating," demonstrates that children, and youthinvolved in armed conflict can re-engage positive socialrelations, and productive civilian lives. Such reintegrationof child soldiers, in tandem with community recovery forchildren affected by armed conflict, is a key area ofpost-conflict reconstruction, and sustainable developmentgoals. The study draws on experiences, and lessons learned,primarily from in-depth case studies in Angola and ElSalvador, and integrates other country program experiences.Prevention lessons outline the vital role of civil society,and the need for external support; demobilization lessonsstress that child soldiers must be specifically included inpeace agreements and demobilization processes; and,reintegration lessons highlight three components essentialto effective reintegration: family reunification;psychosocial support; and, education and economic opportunity.