The provision of basic needs such as food, shelter, security, identity and recognition is central in the rebuilding and reconstruction of the war-torn areas of Africa and indeed around the world. The war in northern Uganda, in particular, has taken its toll on the people of that area for more than 20 years and in the process, has witnessed the children facing some of the worst effects of armed conflicts known to man. This study investigated the role played by the Gulu Support the Children Organisation (GUSCO) in the reintegration of former child soldiers in Northern Uganda. GUSCO is however in favour of the term Formerly Abducted Children (FAC) as this is less prone to acts of stigmatisation against those who have faced some of the most horrific abuses known to human kind. It focused on the process of reintegration of the FAC in relation to the human needs theory which has been used as a basis for conflict resolution practices. The researcher conducted extensive face-to-face interviews with the employees of GUSCO who work in various fields as social workers, counsellors, health workers and teachers, who tend to the needs of the FAC daily. The researcher was also able to carryout observations of the activities that take place at the GUSCO reception centre where the children are rehabilitated. The organisation’s official documents were also consulted in order to carryout this triangular study and collect data. The major themes constructed from the study include: the empowerment and development of the FAC through education and skills training; health care provision to meet both physical and psychological needs; community empowerment and development and finally peacebuilding and reconciliation which involves the participation of whole communities to meet their needs and rebuild the war-torn northern Uganda. The researcher highlights some challenges that GUSCO faces in trying to reintegrate the former combatants albeit children into a routine of a community that struggles to recover from a war that continues to persist after twenty years. Several recommendations are made for GUSCO and civil societies who have given themselves the mandate to work towards salvaging the future generations of Uganda and Africa as a whole.

This thesis examines the influence of the Second World War on the lives of British Columbia school children. It employs a variety of primary and secondary sources, including interviews with adults who, during 1939-1945, attended school in British Columbia. War time news and propaganda through such means as newspaper, movies, newsreels and radio broadcasts permeated children's lives. War influenced the whole school curriculum and especially led to changes in Social Studies, Physical Education and Industrial Arts. The war also created a wide range of war-related extra curricular activities for children. War also altered the routine of childrens1 daily lives. Blackouts, air raid drills, rationing, prosperity, people in uniform, fear of invasion, and loved ones killed overseas all contributed to making life during the Second World War different from the eras that preceded and followed it. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

No description available.

This study aims at testing the applicability of the universal standard for protection of children, ―the best interests of the child principle‖, to children caught up in armed conflict situations. The study introduces the effects of armed conflict on children by discussing two case studies of conflicts situations, namely Somalia‘s situation under the Al Shabaab and the LRA as it formerly operated in Northern Uganda. Heart-breaking narrations of child victims are given prominence to show the invalidity of ―best interests‖ principle in conflict situations. It acknowledges that the ―best interests‖ principle is a good tool for enforcement of children rights. It analyses the theory of rights in general so as to explain the origin and importance of rights. Since children‘s rights are part and parcel of human rights, the study also looks at the international human rights and the regional and international enforcement mechanisms, though not in details. This study looks at the various theories justifying the existence of children‘s rights, and the dichotomy between rights and interests. It also addresses the protection of children rights and the various discourses advocating for or negating children‘s rights. It explores the age question with regard to enforcement of children‘s rights based on the fact that childhood is a dynamic period. It also critically analyses the ―best interests‖ principle and the various alternative standards that have been advanced. It concludes that despite the various criticisms, the ―best interests‖ principle still obtains the better standard for protection of children‘s rights in peace times subject to being complemented by other rules. The study also focuses on protection of children under the International Humanitarian Law with specific focus on civilian protection during armed conflict. It also focuses on the progress made in international efforts to protect children from the effects of armed conflict. Finally, reasons are advanced as to why the Best Interests Principle is not applicable in armed conflict situations, and an alternative standard proposed. / Public, Constitutional, & International Law / LL.D.

The involvement of children in conflict is not a recent phenomenon. The military use of children dates back to ancient times. The change of warfare and the advocating of the protection of children's rights within the global discourse context have taken the discourse on child and youth involvement in conflict out of the political and military context and placed it into one circumscribed by legal and moral concern. Since the late 1970s, a number of international instruments have been promulgated to limit the recruitment of child soldiers, but even though the numbers of children being recruited into armed forces have decreased, children continue to be deployed into armed forces, particularly in Africa. 'Loopholes', vagueness and inconsistencies in the treaties and the strengths and weaknesses of the enforcement and monitoring mechanisms have created legal uncertainty which have ultimately resulted in further injustice for the child. However, legal uncertainty is not per se the cause of recruitment continuing; the cause being more complex. Researches and treaties have failed to address the obstacles to the implementation of the relevant international law. The issue(s) of culture and child crossborder recruitment have served as obstacles to an effective protection of children against recruitment by international law. / Thesis (LL.M.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

The film starts with another ordinary day, two elderly men playing Backgammon, cars passing by, children playing in the street; scenes anyone anywhere in the world can relate to. Seemingly without warning, as the sun set on that ordinary day, the audience is taken on a perilous journey through war-torn Beirut. Born in Beirut is a thoughtful and poetic examination of war through the eyes of a child who lived through endless conflict in war-torn Beirut. The film examines the futility of war and the price paid in innocent lives.

This study aims at testing the applicability of the universal standard for protection of children, ―the best interests of the child principle‖, to children caught up in armed conflict situations. The study introduces the effects of armed conflict on children by discussing two case studies of conflicts situations, namely Somalia‘s situation under the Al Shabaab and the LRA as it formerly operated in Northern Uganda. Heart-breaking narrations of child victims are given prominence to show the invalidity of ―best interests‖ principle in conflict situations. It acknowledges that the ―best interests‖ principle is a good tool for enforcement of children rights. It analyses the theory of rights in general so as to explain the origin and importance of rights. Since children‘s rights are part and parcel of human rights, the study also looks at the international human rights and the regional and international enforcement mechanisms, though not in details. This study looks at the various theories justifying the existence of children‘s rights, and the dichotomy between rights and interests. It also addresses the protection of children rights and the various discourses advocating for or negating children‘s rights. It explores the age question with regard to enforcement of children‘s rights based on the fact that childhood is a dynamic period. It also critically analyses the ―best interests‖ principle and the various alternative standards that have been advanced. It concludes that despite the various criticisms, the ―best interests‖ principle still obtains the better standard for protection of children‘s rights in peace times subject to being complemented by other rules. The study also focuses on protection of children under the International Humanitarian Law with specific focus on civilian protection during armed conflict. It also focuses on the progress made in international efforts to protect children from the effects of armed conflict. Finally, reasons are advanced as to why the Best Interests Principle is not applicable in armed conflict situations, and an alternative standard proposed. / Public, Constitutional, and International Law / LL.D.

No description available.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the degree Doctor of Technology: Public Management (Peacebuilding), Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / While children used as soldiers are primarily perceived as victims under internal human rights law and international humanitarian rights law, they also commit war atrocities. In the aftermath of war, the mainstream justice system internationally targets warlords, who abduct and enrol children as combatants, leaving child perpetrators without accounting for their gross, human rights violations. Attempts to prosecute child soldiers through the mainstream justice system have resulted in child rights abuses. Where no accountability measures have been taken, former child soldiers have experienced rejection by their communities. Eventually, some have returned to armed conflict. In other contexts, locally based restorative transitional justice has yielded positive outcomes, such as reconciliation, satisfaction expressed by victims and reintegration into the community. This inquiry used restorative justice peacemaking circles (RJPCs), as a model of transitional justice for former child soldiers. Restorative justice evaluation was based on its outcomes. The intervention was efficient as observed: (1) the greater majority of children below the age of 18 (97.2 %) exposed to RJPCs, who intended to join armed groups before, changed their mind and never joined or re-joined armed groups after seven months; (2) apologies by former child soldiers were accepted and they were forgiven, and (3) support for prosecution of child soldiers dropped after RJPCs. In addition, Baraza emerged as an existing model of accountability, conflict resolution and prevention and reconciliation. Unfortunately, it was not exploited to its fullest capacity. Finally healing former child soldiers was a critical step towards change of identity, the transition from soldiering to civilian life, necessary for meaningful reintegration into society. That implied addressing these child soldiers’ psychosocial well-being and creating an environment where peace prevails and adequate accountability measures are in place and effective. The overall results reveal that RJPC yielded empathy, vicarious justice, forgiveness, reconciliation, and deterrence of child soldiers. / D

L’association d’enfants et de jeunes aux enjeux de la confrontation armée est une manifestation qui interpelle les sociétés contemporaines. Au sein des pays troublés par des conflits armés, une partie des efforts réalisés par la société civile pour prévenir l’utilisation des enfants et des jeunes par les acteurs armés ainsi que pour réintégrer à la vie civile ceux qui sont sortis des groupes armés concerne leur encouragement à s’impliquer dans la pratique d’activités artistiques et/ou sportives. Il s’agit d’une initiative généralisée et promue notamment par des organismes nationaux et internationaux. <p><p>Les arguments exprimés à l’égard des effets de l’implication des jeunes dans la pratique des activités sportives ou artistiques suggèrent que ces pratiques contribuent à la réconciliation et de ce fait, à la pacification des rapports sociaux. La promotion de la pratique sportive se justifie ainsi par des valeurs et des bénéfices qui lui semblent consubstantiels. <p>Nous avons ainsi affaire à un scenario dans lequel agissent tant des acteurs civils qu’armés auprès des enfants et des jeunes. Nous constatons que dans un tel scénario l’utilisation des éléments courants du domaine de la pratique sportive ou des activités artistiques répondent à des intérêts opposés par rapport à la représentation et le statut de l’exercice de la violence. Pour les uns, le but est le contrôle les expressions de la violence pendant que, pour les autres, l’intérêt est lié aux enjeux de l’exercice de celle-ci. Ce cadre problématise évidement le rôle, la représentation et la façon dont ces activités participent dans les processus de pacification de rapports sociaux dans un contexte déterminé par la présence d’un conflit armé et par l’exercice systématique de la violence armée.<p> <p>Nous avons entrepris une enquête auprès des jeunes inscrits dans la pratique des activités sportives et/ou artistiques ainsi que des jeunes sortis des groupes armés afin d’explorer leur attitude face à la possibilité de s’engager dans des activités leur demandant une disposition à exercer la violence armée. Il s’agit de savoir comment se positionnent les enfants et les jeunes impliqués dans la pratique des activités sportives face à la violence et à la possibilité de l’exercer. Et plus précisément, à quel point les jeunes qui font du sport se montrent adverses au fait d’armer leur corps voire devenir « corps armé ».<p><p>Le rapport entre la pratique sportive et l’attitude face à la possibilité d’exercer la violence armée est évaluée au sein de la société colombienne qui subit les conséquences d’un long et interminable conflit armé. La durée de ce conflit a engendré une multiplicité de formes par lesquelles s’exerce le contrôle de la population et du territoire à travers la violence armée et organisée.<p><p>The participation of children and teenagers within an armed confrontation is a manifestation that questions the basics of our contemporary society. Within countries affected by armed conflicts, an important effort should be made by the civil society to prevent de usage of children and teenagers by the parties in conflict. In addition children and teenagers formerly involved in armed conflict should be reintegrated in civil life by encouraging the practice of sports and arts. This an initiative promoted by the national and international organizations.<p>The arguments already discussed regarding the effects of involving the youth in sports and artistic activities suggest that such practices contribute to the reconciliation, thus pacification of social relationships. The promotion of sports is justified by the values and benefits attached by sport practice.<p><p>We have inquired youngsters that practice sports and/or arts and former child soldiers about their attitude facing the possibility to get involved in activities related to armed violence. This is to understand how children and teenagers face violence or the possibility to exercise it. In particular, to understand to which point, the youngsters that practice sports are adverse to arm themselves.<p><p> / Doctorat en Sciences de la motricité / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished