Children in Organized
Armed Violence
International
Organizations
CDI Children and
Armed Conflict Project
A
twelve nation international study aims to make a rapid assessment
of the extent of ‘Children in Organised Armed Violence’
in their countries. Countries include Brazil, Haiti, South Africa, Sierre
Leone, Jamaica, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, the Phillipines, Nigeria,
Northern Ireland, and the United States. Research is expected to be
completed by the end of 2003.
Gangs, Armed Young Men, and Child Soldiers
r
Gangs are organizations of the street
composed of either
1. the socially excluded or 2. alienated, demoralized, or bigoted elements
of a dominant racial, ethnic, or religious group. Institutionalized
gangs sometimes organize and arm children as part of their underground
economic, political, or nationalist activities. This definition
updates an out of date formula.
of "child soldiers"
“Any person under the age of 18 who is employed or otherwise participates in Organised Armed Violence where there are elements of a command structure and power over territory, local population and/or resources.”
Globalization has weakened nation-states and mariginalized substantial areas of the globe. In these socially excluded areas, armed young men hold power in defiance of the state. In these areas controlled by armed young men, children and youth participate in organized armed violence.
Other important sources of information include the Child War Database, Human Rights Watch, War child, and many other national and international relief organizations.
