Topic: Reintegrating Former Child Soldiers
Country: United States
Delegate Name: Gregory Poole
School: Forest Hills Northern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All United States position papers GLIMUN 2014 committees
The story of child soldiers is possible the saddest in the world. It is the story of those recruited at ages 13, 10, 7, or even younger to fight. It is the story of those who are ordered to murder their families, their friends, their communities. It is the story of those who serve as sex slaves. It is the story of those who, even when they are freed, are neglected, forgotten, ignored. Though the mental trauma of their experiences are obvious to the world, no aid is given, no helping hand extended, no guiding light sent.
The United States, though it has no experience with child soldiers in the modern era, has been striving to help solve this international issue. In 2008, the Child Soldiers Prevention Act was passed by the US Congress, which legalized the recruitment by any army of children under 18 years of age. Furthermore, we support the work done by NGO’s such as Child Soldiers International, which works in countries such as Chad and the DRC to prevent the recruitment of these soldiers.
However, recruitment is only half the battle. These children need to be reintegrated into society by three different means: Family reunification, psychological aid, and education opportunities. These children, whenever possible, must be reunited with their families, or with a foster family. They must also be treated psychologically. Studies have shown that psychosocial approaches, which involve their community, tend to be more effective than western approaches. These children must also be given access to educational or economic opportunities: something often neglected for economic reasons. However, in light of their special experiences, this must be provided in order to properly reintegrate these lost souls.
