Total Number of Pages: 3  

Suggested Title: Child Soldiers  

Resolution #3085: Child Soldiers - Amend and Readopt  

General Church Budget Implications: None  

Global Implications: Yes

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 “Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white,  they are precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.”  “Allow the children to come to me. Don’t forbid them, because God’s kingdom belongs to  people like these children” (Luke 18:16).  

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As armed conflict proliferates around the world, an increasing number of children are exposed to  the brutalities of war. In numerous countries, boys and girls under the age of 18 are recruited as  child soldiers by armed forces and groups, either forcibly or voluntarily. Reports by the United  Nations and nongovernmental organizations such as Amnesty International and the Coalition to  Stop the Use of Child Soldiers Child Soldiers International reveal:

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BULLET More than 20,000 grave violations of children’s rights around the world, including  their recruitment as soldiers in armed conflicts. 

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BULLET Hundreds of thousands of under-18-year-olds are estimated to have become a part of  armed forces in at least 60 countries.  

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BULLET Military training of children can cause psychological trauma, altered personalities, and  long-term developmental damage. This training and the military environment subject children to  bullying, physical violence, and sexual harassment. In most cases, child recruits have no right or  opportunity to leave.  

BULLET Child soldiers lose their childhoods and often their lives. Perpetuating cycles of  violence, the damage extends beyond the children to their families and communities. 

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Central conferences in Africa, such as the Liberia Conference, have initiated programs to  rehabilitate and integrate ex-combatant children for productive and peaceful life in their families  and communities.  

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The General Conference of The United Methodist Church urges the General Board of Church  and Society and the General Board of Global Ministries to:  

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Even with this progress, much work remains to be done to protect the lives and dignity of all  children. Therefore, individuals, churches, faith communities and conferences are urged to  connect with the General Board of Global Ministries and the General Board of Church and  Society so that together we can:  

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BULLET provide financial resources and assistance to central conferences for programs to  rehabilitate and reintegrate former child soldiers into their families and communities.

Date: August 26, 2019

The Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe General Secretary

Bishop Sally Dyck

President of the Board

General Board of Church & Society Phone: 202-488-5629

E-mail Address: gso@umcjustice.org