Topic: Reintegrating Former Child Soldiers
Country: New Zealand
Delegate Name: Nikolas Zazula
School: Vicksburg High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All New Zealand position papers GLIMUN 2014 committees
The idea of children serving in a country’s military service is a very controversial topic. In states such as The Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda, children, some no more than seven or eight years of age, are being “recruited” into the armed forces. Children are often kidnapped and abducted, resulting in physical, mental and sexual abuse. This is a traumatizing event for an adult human being, let alone a child. Children who survive conflict and are lucky enough to escape face many issues when attempting to reintegrate themselves into society. In the past, former child soldiers have experienced difficulties processing their experiences and reintegrating within their communities. Many were stigmatized as rebels and failed to make the transition. It is our responsibility, as UNICEF, to recognize that children who have been soldiers need healing from emotional difficulties and traumatic experiences, protection from re-recruitment, training and education in peaceful roles, and a careful reintroduction into their communities. Our actions need to be in the interest of these children, and must be specifically intended to help facilitate their successful establishment of their role in society without fear of stigmatism and rejection.
New Zealand believes that it is the responsibility of The United Nation’s Children's Fund to aid in the reintegration and to provide therapy and treatment to the victims in need. The military use of children is addressed by a number of international legal norms, such as the International human rights law and International humanitarian law. It is our role to uphold these laws, and, to the best of our ability, create a safe environment for all children wherever possible around the world. Through the generous funds received through private donors, to the use of highly-experienced NGOs, we can establish a method of recovery for these children through therapy, rehabilitation and, most of all, acceptance in their community. It is our duty, as the United Nations, to make the world as safe and peaceful as we can for both our own generations, and for the future leaders and contributors of our society.
