1. The Use of Child Soldiers in Contemporary Conflict Drummer boy John Clem in the American Civil War (1861-1865) Retired Major General in 1916 Contemporary Child Soldier DRC Similar Prospects?

2. To Define... Definition of a Child - “every human being below the age of eighteen years” Article 1 of the UN's convention on the rights of a child UNICEF defines a child soldier as “ any person under 18 years of age who is part of any kind of regular or irregular armed force or armed group in any capacity” Estimated 500,000 in 85 countries worldwide 40% Girls 40 % in Africa Non State (Rebel Groups) and State Groups (Government recriuts)

3. Outline Africa Burundi Central African Republic Chad Cote d'Ivoire Democratic Republic of Congo Somalia Sudan Uganda (LRA) Americas and the Caribbean Columbia (FARC) (ELM) Asia Pacific Afghanistan India Indonesia Burma/Myanmar (Burma's national army is the biggest recriuter of child soldiers in the world) Nepal Philippines Sri Lanka (LTTE) Thailand Middle East Iraq Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territory The UN claims that 2009 was a terrible year for children and armed conflict. Global Report 2008 provided by Coalition to stop the use of child soldiers. -Countries where the government used child soldiers are highlighted in RED

4. The 'Use' of Child Soldiers Small Fast Nimble Easy to manipulate Obedient Brave Undaunted because they do not fear death Cheaper to feed Not a threat to leaders Moral problems for Western forces engaging in direct action Desire for food and security/Voluntary “ I prefer children to grown men because they have empty brains and will always obey orders”

5. The 'Use' of Child Soldiers Military Activities Fighters in active/direct combat operations Intelligence operations – Spying, Scouting, Decoys, Sabotage Protection and guard functions Special forces operations -Decoys Suicide missions, either as bombers or decoys. Mine Sweepers “Human Wave” assault – mass waste of life Support Roles Domestic tasks – cooking, cleaning, portering Sexual Slavery – comfort wives for army commanders Forced labour – carrying military supplies Children involved in armed conflict are frequently killed or injured during combat or while carrying out other tasks.

6. The 'Use' of Child Soldiers Kidnapped from within country or outside country. Brutal Initiations and punishment rituals Child soldiers are desensitised to violence Rarely appreciate the risks Drugs and Alcohol They Suffer....... Post traumatic stress disorder Drug and alcohol dependency/abuse Memory difficulties Family discord Social dysfuntion Depression and Anxiety

7. Girl Soldiers 40% of child soldiers Combat and non-combat roles Subjected to rape and other forms of sexual violence Main Offenders -Uganda -Columbia -Democratic Republic of Congo Demobilization, disarmament and reintegration (DDR) programs have been less succesful for girl soldiers. Stigmatized by their home communities when they return. A girl child soldier in Cambodia

8. The Western Issue The United States and United Kingdom recriut/emply soldiers under the age of 18 A number of under 18's were deployed to Iraq by British armed forces between 2003 -2005. Although most were removed within a week of their arrival In Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom calls to raise the minimum recriutment age have been rejected on manpower grounds Fundamental Difference?