"The Future of Recruitment of Child Soldiers: A Disputatious Rise Despite Global Commitments

The Future of Recruitment of Child Soldiers: A Disputatious Rise Despite Global CommitmentsAs we mark the 35th anniversary of the United Nations' (UN) commitment to protect children from being recruited as soldiers, it is disheartening to note that armed groups have increased their recruitment and use of children in armed conflict. This trend not only contradicts global commitments but also perpetuates a cycle of violence, trauma, and exploitation.A Historic Commitment: The UN Convention on the Rights of the ChildIn 1989, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted by world leaders, marking a historic moment in the fight to protect children's rights. This landmark agreement inspired governments to pass laws protecting children from violence and exploitation. Ten years later, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child prohibiting the recruitment and use as soldiers of all children under 18 years of age was adopted. To date, it has been ratified by 173 countries.A Disheartening Reality: The Rise in Recruitment of Child SoldiersDespite these global commitments, armed groups have increased their recruitment and use of children for armed conflict purposes. This trend is alarming, with child soldiers being used in conflicts across the globe, from Colombia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the Lake Chad basin, Mozambique, the Sahel, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, and Haiti.The Devastating Impact on Children: Abduction, Rape, Sexual Violence, and TraffickingMost of the children impacted by this trend were abducted and forcibly recruited. Unfortunately, many of these children are girls who have suffered rape and sexual violence, and have been bought, sold, and trafficked.A Call to Action: The Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed ConflictOn Tuesday, the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict issued a statement highlighting the devastating impact of military force on children. The office called for immediate action to address this crisis, urging governments and international organizations to:1. Grant safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to children2. Implement international laws prohibiting the use of child soldiers3. Eliminate wide impact explosives in populated areas4. Prohibit the military use of schools5. Prohibit and eliminate anti-personnel landminesA Call to Action: Cognitive Scientists and Professionals Beyond 2025As we move into 2025, it is essential that cognitive scientists and professionals beyond 2025 join forces to address this crisis. We must choose compassion over indifference and peace over war. Together, we can rewrite the stories of these children – not with fear and loss but with healing and hope.Speculating Beyond 2025: A Disputatious FutureAs we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, it is essential that we integrate cognitive science into our understanding of child soldier recruitment. We must challenge prevailing narratives and disrupt the status quo by:1. Developing AI-powered early warning systems to detect potential child soldier recruitment2. Conducting interdisciplinary research on the psychological impact of child soldier recruitment3. Designing evidence-based interventions to prevent child soldier recruitment4. Creating AI-powered chatbots to provide emotional support to child soldiersConclusionThe future of recruitment of child soldiers is a disputatious topic that requires immediate attention and action. As cognitive scientists and professionals, we have a critical role to play in rewriting the stories of these children – not with fear and loss but with healing and hope. Together, we can create a brighter future where every child has the right to grow up free from violence, exploitation, and trauma.Keywords: Child soldiers Recruitment Armed conflict UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Optional Protocol Cognitive scientists AI-powered systems Early warning systems Psychological impact Evidence-based interventions

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.