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Hinako Toki
Peace-building
and the Process of Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration:the
Experiences of Mozambique and Sierra Leone [the file
in *.pdf format]
Institute for International Cooperation
Japan International Cooperation Agency
March 2004
This study provides a general overview of disarmament, demobilization,
and reintegration (DDR), and analyzes the experiences of Mozambique
and Sierra Leone, in which key issues and challenges were identified
in the DDR and peace-building processes. The aim of this study
is to analyze the factors that determine effective DDR processes,
as well as to provide practical recommendations to the Japanese
government to expand the use of Official Development Assistance
(ODA) in the field of DDR in support of peace-building. It examines
the complex relationship among disarmament, demobilization,
and reintegration, with an emphasis on reintegration in connection
with development. It seeks to explore possible incentives throughout
DDR processes that would best facilitate transition from war
to peace and subsequently to sustainable development in the
long-term. [the file in *.pdf format]
RLP Working Paper 13: Child Protection in the Context of
Displacement
funded by Save the Children in Uganda (SCiU)
Building on past research presented in RLP Working Paper 10:
Displacement in Bundibugyo District: A Situation Analysis, the
new report shows how conflict, displacement and poverty in western
Uganda and neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have
contributed to very difficult living conditions for children
in Ntoroko County. While all children face child protection
issues in this context, refugee children encounter additional
challenges because of language barriers, lack of social support
structures and discrimination.
Research findings reveal major barriers to accessing quality
education for children in Ntoroko County, particularly for girls
and Congolese children. Malaria, cough, worms and cholera are
the main health issues facing children, due primarily to poor
sanitation and lack of access to clean water. Child abuse, neglect,
rape and defilement are widespread in the county, but response
from local authorities has been inadequate, contributing to
a culture of impunity. In light of these issues, the report
offers ten recommendations to strengthen child protection reporting
and monitoring mechanisms; to improve the quality and accessibility
of education and health services; to sensitise local authorities,
community leaders and parents on child protection and refugee
rights; and to increase the ability of communities not only
to resolve conflict and respond to displacement, but also to
embark on socio-economic activities that will increase their
incomes and standards of living. The full working paper can
be found on the RLP website: www.refugeelawproject.org/
[the file in *.pdf format]
Theresa Stichick and Claude Bruderlein
Facing Insecurity: New Strategies for Survival in a Global Era
Policy
Harvard Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research
Children
(paper produced for the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs
and International Trade)
This paper explores the nature of children’s security within
the context of modern threats from globalization and new forms
of warfare. It analyzes the sources of insecurity faced by children
and the survival strategies they and their families employ as
a result. Through a number of case-studies, it questions the
usefulness of assistance programs that focus on the physical
needs of children in isolation of their social and communal
environment. As children are in a constant state of development,
protecting their security requires more than support against
physical harm. The paper argues that four dimensions of security
are important for the protection of children in times of war:
physiological necessities, safety, communal relationships and
opportunities for personal development. Efforts to promote children’s
security must involve analysis of these core dimensions and
treat the coping strategies of children and their families as
a roadmap for protection... [direct
link to the document]
Michael Shipler
Children and Youth Coordinator
Search for Common Ground
mshipler@sfcg.org
Washington Network on Children in Armed Conflict (WNCAC)
Search for Common Ground's Children and Youth Programme and
the Displaced Children and Orphan's Fund, have recently convened
the Washington Network on Children and Armed Conflict. The WNCAC
is an interdisciplinary and open community of practitioners
and scholars which shares information on issues affecting children
in conflict. The WNCAC first convened last July and have experienced
considerable growth in attendance and membership, including
donors, academics, and field experts. It's last meeting was
dedicated to 'Education in Emergencies' and the next meeting
will weight the merits of holistic programming to address the
needs of both child soldiers and children affected by armed
conflict. The Network has been meeting bi-monthly since July
2004.
Interested people should email mshipler@sfcg.org for more information.
About WNCAC
The Washington Network on Children in Armed Conflict, convened
by Search for Common Ground and the Displaced Children and Orphans
Fund of USAID, is an interdisciplinary and open community of
practitioners and scholars which shares information on the myriad
issues affecting children in conflict. The group seeks to connect
diverse actors from different sectors to promote information
exchange on programming and policy issues, developments in the
field, resources, and good practices. The Network has been meeting
bi-monthly since July 2004.
Shobha Shrestha
Peace and Security Officer
Peace and Governance Foundation
SAP-Nepal
Impact of Armed Conflicts on Children: Nepal [in .doc format]
Presentation at "Up In Arms" Conference
July 21, 2004
The Maoist insurgency, which started in 1996, has caused widespread violence throughout the country and killed over 11,000 people including many innocent children. Many others have suffered physical as well as psychological injuries. Hundreds of children are in trauma brought about by the loss of their parents, and relatives.
[download the paper in .doc format]
Alcinda Honwana
Children and Armed Conflict & Africa Programs
Social Science Research Council
The workshop on Data Collection on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children was organized by the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) in partnership with UNICEF. It took place in New York and brought together more than 35 experts on data collection, displacement and recruitment of children in situations of armed conflict. The workshop launched an important, pilot data collection project to be undertaken in Angola, Colombia, DRC and Sri Lanka. Participants were drawn from the four countries as well as from UN agencies, international and national NGOs and academic/research institutions. The workshop was funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The objectives of the workshop were to: (1) map existing data on the impact of armed conflict on children with special focus on recruitment and displacement; (2) establish relevant definitions, terminologies and indicators for data collection on the impact of armed conflict on children; (3) identify knowledge gaps and priority areas for data collection; and (4) develop appropriate methodologies and tools for data collection to be pilot tested at the country level. The workshop also aimed to help develop better networking and collaboration between institutions and individuals engaged in data collection on child recruitment in armed conflicts and on displacement of war-affected children.
[download the document in .doc format]
The Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict (Watchlist)
Sudan
Sudan’s 19-year-old war has ravaged the lives of untold numbers of children, including adolescents. Now the prospects for peace in Sudan appear better than they have in many years. (See Peace Initiatives below.) The Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict (Watchlist) commends the Government of Sudan (GoS) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) for their recent, important steps to seek peace in Sudan, which could lead to dramatic
improvements in young people’s lives.
This report is a call for the security and rights of young people to be included as a high priority in the ongoing peace process. The UN Security Council consistently highlights the harmful impact of armed conflict on children and the long-term consequences this has for durable peace, security and development. Priority attention to young people’s security, rights and place in society as future leaders is essential to the sustainability of Sudan’s encouraging peace process. [download the document in .pdf format]
[Download map of Sudan]
Kimberly Pavan
Save the Children Canada
Education and Peace-Building for Children Affected by Armed Conflict in Colombia
This 3-year CIDA funded project working in the area of children affected by armed conflict is new for Save the Children Canada. The purpose of the project is to improve access to relevant, quality formal education for girls and boys affected by conflict and displacement in targeted communities. Efforts will focus on providing alternative paths away from violence through non-formal education for children and youth in the targeted communities. This project will reduce child and youth involvement in armed conflict as well as increased the capacity of Colombia’s government to uphold their responsibilities to realise the right to education for girls and boys affected by armed conflict.
Final Report of the Commission on Human Security
On 1 May 2003, Mrs. Sadako Ogata, former United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and Prof. Amartya Sen, Nobel laureate in economic science, presented the report of the independent Commission on Human Security to the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.
The report proposes a new security framework that centers directly and specifically on people. Human security focuses on shielding people from critical and pervasive threats and empowering them to take charge of their lives. It demands creating genuine opportunities for people to live in safety and dignity and earn their livelihood.
At a time when the consensus on the meaning of security is eroding, there is growing fear that existing institutions and policies are not able to cope with weakening multilateralism and global responsibilities. Nevertheless, the opportunities for working toward removing insecurities facing people are greater than ever.
The Commission concentrates on a number of distinct but interrelated issues concerning conflict and poverty: protecting people in conflict and post-conflict situations, shielding people forced to move; overcoming economic insecurities, guaranteeing essential health care, and ensuring universal education. In its report, the Commission formulates recommendations and follow-up activities.
The idea of an independent Commission of Human Security grew out of the UN Millennium Summit which focused on securing “freedom from fear” and “freedom from want”. The Commission is an initiative of the Government of Japan and was launched in January 2001.
The Commission’s report, Human Security Now: Protecting and Empowering People, can be accessed at www.humansecurity-chs.org.
Kathy Vandergrift
Children and Armed Conflict Working Group
Canadian Peacebuilding Coordinating Committee
The National Action Plan for Children [in .doc format]
Re: Children and Armed Conflict in the National Plan of Action for Children
Dear Senator Pearson:
Participants in the Children and Armed Conflict Working Group appreciate the leadership you have provided in the preparation of a National Plan of Action for Children (NPA) and your on-going commitment to promote respect for the rights of children... [download the document in .doc format]
Kathy Vandergrift
Children and Armed Conflict Working Group
Canadian Peacebuilding Coordinating Committee
From Outrage to Action [in pdf format]
Presentation at "Up In Arms" Conference
Vancouver, November 22, 2003
Let me start by expressing appreciation for the name you chose for this conference - ”Up in Arms.” It focuses on action as well as awareness. In keeping with that, I have titled my remarks, “From Outrage to Action.” I hope to give you a quick overview of why we should be “up in arms” and what our current challenges are on the national and the international scene. In a workshop later today I will go into details on the status of the various components that make up the campaign to achieve protection for the security and rights of children threatened by armed conflict.
Let’s begin by listening to the voices of young people...
[download the presentation in pdf format]
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