Monica Chadwick Gabrielle Leon Raymond Gaffney Yukio Rivera Douglas Miller Image sourcebreitbartcom CommUNITY Recruiters of Colombia CRC Militant Groups Columbian militant groups have integrated violence into millions of lives affecting the economic climate of t ID: 360179
Download Presentation The PPT/PDF document "Recruit, Refine, Resolve" is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
Recruit, Refine, Resolve
Monica Chadwick Gabrielle Leon Raymond Gaffney Yukio Rivera Douglas Miller
Image source:breitbart.com
CommUNITY
Recruiters of Colombia (CRC)Slide2
Militant Groups
Columbian militant groups have integrated violence into millions of lives, affecting the economic climate of the country. They control the lives of communities, while creating a dangerous environment for families -- especially the children.Slide3
Our Mission
To help Colombian children avoid recruitment by militant groups through community support. We want to show children that there are alternatives and provide information about the consequences of joining a militant group. Slide4
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZuMKVPXgbQ&spfreload=10Image source: mercycorps.orgSlide5
Child Recruitment by Armed GroupsChildren as young as 8 of both sexes are recruited into the ranks of guerilla groups and paramilitary organizations as soldiers. Many of these children join voluntarily.
Some tasks children are used for:Combatants, for kidnapping, guarding hostages, as human shields, messengers, spies, and as “Mules” to transport arms, place bombs…Children may also be active in the production of cocaSlide6
Statistics
Right-wing paramilitaries and militias are estimated to include 3,000 children, some as young as 8.Urban militias, linked to various parties in the armed conflict are estimated to include approximately 7,000 children below 18 years of ageAccording to UNICEF’s Colombian office, 80% of the new armed groups’ fronts are made up of women and children.Slide7
Laws That have Been Passed
International Human Rights LawOptional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict (OPAC)Conventions on the Rights of the Child (CRC)Article 38 requires state parties to prevent anyone under the age of 15 from being recruited or taking direct part in hostilities OPAC was drafted in order to raise the minimum ages set out in the Convention.International Criminal Court (ICC)Considers recruitment of Children under the age of 18 to participate in “Hostile Activities” as a war crime.Slide8
Problems (What isn’t working)
The numerous mandates and bills that have been passed over the years have raised awareness of child soldiers, but lack political will, resources, or power to follow through.
The Ministry of Defense, NGOs, and other agencies reported a rise of children in the war between 1985-2014.Only recently have groups like FARC sworn to recruit children no younger than 17
.
This goes against ICC and OPACSlide9
Alternative SolutionsHaving strong legal standards is essential to ending the use of child soldiers; however, enforcing them alone will not accomplish much.
There is a need of demobilization and rehabilitation programs to reintegrate children into a more normal sense of lifeThis can be accomplished through educational programs and community uplifting Slide10
Taller De Vida
Taller De Vida Workshops for youth that are at high risk for being recruited as child soldiers in Colombia. Objective: To provide Colombian women and children with the support they need to resist exploitation and create alternatives to the on-going violence in ColombiaSlide11
What can WE do?
Create a Community Center accessible to all families. It will include areas for workshops, classes, recreational areas, and a community garden. Volunteers are needed to host workshops and sessions in education, sustainability, resistance, counselingProvide resources for families in the community to support childrenSlide12
Action Plan
Work with a global aid agency i.e. Mercy Corps Local volunteers (community support)US Consultants to host workshops and seminars for local volunteers and staff Slide13
Community CenterWill include:
Recreational areaStructured creative activitiesCommunity UpliftingWorkshops, lessons, Community MentoringSlide14
Volunteer Requirements Ability to read, write, and speak Spanish
fluentlyVolunteer Visa up to a year, 3 months minimum.Willing to work 5 days a week with a minimum of 4 hours a day. Be able to work with groups of children and adolescents. Knowledge on particular subjects in:Sustainability
Counseling Colombian socio-cultural history Slide15
Budget
Building: $325,000~$500,000Local Employment:Community Director:$72000/yearResource Manager:$30000/year
Counselor-$60000/year
Temporary
American Staff
and Consultants
: TBD by amount of time dedicated (1 year max)Slide16
References
Betancourt, T. S. & Khan, K. T. (2008). The mental health of children affected by armed conflict: Protective processes and pathways to resilience. International Review of Psychiatry, 20(3),317-328.Bjørkhaug, I. (2010). Child soldiers in Colombia: the recruitment of children into non-state violent armed groups. FARC systematically recruits child soldiers: Study-. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2015, from http://colombiareports.co/farc-systematically-recruits-child-soldiers-study/
Mercy Corps. (2012, May 17.) Reclaiming Colombia’s children of war [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v
=
OZuMKVPXgbQ&spfreload
=
10
The reality of Colombia’s child soldiers. (
n.d.
). Retrieved May 11, 20115, from
http://colombiareports.co/reality-colombias-child-soldiers/