Identifying
Education and Policy Needs for Demobilized Child Soldiers
Democratic Republic of Congo
May – August 2000
 In
the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where civil war recurred
for more than 20 years, the military establishment had long
viewed child soldiers as valuable assets because they were
inexpensive, forged a strong allegiance with the army or
militia, and were more easily convinced to participate in
violent acts. An overwhelming majority of the children involved
in armed conflict were forcibly removed from their classrooms
and neighborhoods and transported to training camps. For
other children, joining the Congolese Armed Forces was a
means of escaping poverty and provided a significant source
of household income for their families.
In 2001, the country’s
USAID Mission requested assistance in assessing the educational
needs of demobilized child soldiers
and other war-affected children in order to formulate national
policy around demobilizing and reintegrating ex-combatants.
The BEPS assessment team focused on identifying the barriers
to family and community participation in the social reintegration
process and child soldier demobilization. The team also evaluated
existing institutional capacity and the monitoring of child
soldier recruitment. The assessment also explored both formal
and nonformal education opportunities and the role of international
agencies in enabling child soldier demobilization. Stakeholder
meetings allowed for dialogue between NGOs, government and
donor partners, and civil society organizations.
The BEPS
assessment team concluded that institutional structures were
needed to oversee and coordinate the reintegration and
demobilization processes. The analysis resulted in specific
programmatic recommendations to ensure that demobilized child
soldiers, in particular, and children in situations of armed
conflict, in general, have access to education and special
services.
Click here to see the DRC Situational Analysis Report
Resources
NOTE: PDF documents require
the free Adobe
Reader.
|
