Ashleigh and Kendra will be working on this section. Please feel free to share your thoughts and make additions. Initially our first areas of research are:
Ashleigh's questions to ponder:
Ashleigh's Recommendation:
· Youth remain one of the most effected populations in the armed conflicts of today. Too often armed conflict surrounding youth prevent them from receiving adequate healthcare, education and/or employment. For this reason it is paramount the conflict resolution, transformation and prevented be integrated into the activities of all UN agencies. Along with the integration of conflict sensitivity to various state and non-state actors a greater emphasis on collaboration and capacity building should be shared between these actors. Policy Statement #1: Competition, bureaucracy and concerns over agency territories have too long stymied the processes needed to gain the social capital necessary positive peace. · Youth categorically inherent the social, environmental, political and economic circumstances with the propensity to create or deter violence in their communities. When armed and violent conflict breaks out based on these circumstances hundreds of relief agencies, government negotiators, NGOs, environmental and development organizations rush to respond to the needs of the effected communities. Often there is little to no coordination of these responses on the ground. · Need infor about the importance of coordination to successful people building and social capital gains Why it is important to us (youth/specific demographic). Support with data. Call to action, ask. Detailed Analysis #1:
· Inclusive networks- · Exclusive networks-
Conclusion #1:
Reminder of the World Program on Youth had about Armed Conflict: F. Armed conflict 27. The number of active armed conflicts in the world each year since 2000 continues to fluctuate between 30 and 40 after having reached 55 early in the 1990s.23 In armed conflicts youth often play a role as perpetrators, but are also often victims, even when not directly engaged in combat. In recent years, emphasis has been placed on preventing the engagement of children and youth in armed conflict, as illustrated by the 119 ratified or acceded participants to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of youth and children in armed conflict. 28. There has also been progress in improving the post-conflict reintegration of young people into society. Many thousands of young soldiers have left armed forces as many long-running conflicts have ended.24 Through demobilization, disarmament and reintegration programmes, Governments and various non-governmental organizations and United Nations system agencies have worked to reintegrate these youth into their communities and to ensure socio-economic rehabilitation, skills development and community development. The United Nations Development Programme has operated reintegration programmes focused on the socio-economic rehabilitation of youth, and the International Labour Organization has had similar initiatives. 25 Other United Nations organizations, such as UNESCO, have focused on sustaining and/or rebuilding education in post-conflict situations.26 29. Youth continue to constitute a large part of armed militias whenever violent conflicts arise around the world.27 Despite international consensus and effort, the United Nations Children’s Fund reports an estimated 300,000 children and youth, under the age of 18, currently participating in armed conflict. Most soldiers under 18 are members of non-State armed groups. This presents difficulties for international efforts to protect these youth and children, as non-State groups have less national and international legal oversight than national Governments. Informally enlisted youth may also be harder to account for in situations of demobilization. 30. Economic incentives, social and political exclusion, unemployment, dissatisfaction with public services, and the breakdown of traditional family and social networks, are among the factors pushing youth into the combatant role.28 This suggests a need to go beyond reintegration in post-conflict areas. The research literature also suggests that youth bulges increase both opportunities and motives for political violence.29 This implies that in parts of the world where population growth rates are high, the threat of youth violence may also remain high. 31. Ongoing conflict situations pose a threat to the health of young people. Some of the most disturbing effects on the health of young people living in areas of armed conflict are anxiety, depression, stress and post-traumatic stress disorders, as well as self-inflicted injury and suicide. Other direct and indirect health consequences associated with conflict include the displacement of populations, the breakdown of health and social services, and the heightened risk of disease transmission. Young people are often among the victims of the violence and brutality that occur in periods of conflict, rendering them susceptible to physical disability. 32. Although a number of initiatives to address the needs of ex-combatants are currently in existence, limited numbers of ex-combatants become involved. Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes, for example, may not reach young people who are in greatest need. The percentage of female beneficiaries of such programmes, in particular, is often in the single digits, often stemming from fears of stigmatization.30 __________________ Armed conflict Goal 1: Promote a culture and environment of peace among youth Target 1:1: by 2015, ensure that units to promote the ideals of peace, mutual respect and understanding among all peoples are included in the curricula of all formal and non-formal education programmes Target 1:2: between 2005 and 2015, double the level of investment in youth formal and non-formal and vocational education in conflict zones, ensuring that curricula are relevant, non-discriminatory, and holistic Target 1:3: between 2005 and 2015, reduce by 50 per cent, the availability of small arms and light weapons Goal 2: Promote the participation of youth in all conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction efforts Target 2:1: by 2015, establish mechanisms of youth governance, participation and advocacy, such as youth councils, forums, and networks, at local and national levels in all post-conflict regions Target 2:2: by 2015, ensure that all disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes engage youth in all aspects of their work |
Armed Conflict and Youth |