U.S. Institute of Peace plans to speak out at Meramec
By: Shane Rice
– Asst. News Editor –
Throughout history and in many cultures, children have been extensively involved in military campaigns. According to a BBC Service report, there are approximitely 300,000 child soldiers around the world and every year the number grows.
In more than 20 countries around the world, children are direct participants in war. Denied a childhood and often subjected to horrific violence, approximitely 200,000 to 300,000 children are serving as soldiers for both rebel groups and government forces in current armed conflicts, according to Peter W. Singer of the Brookings Institute during an interview with Human Rights Watch in 2007.
National Educational Outreach Officer David Smith will be speaking on behalf of USIP at STLCC-Meramec on Sept. 22. Starting at 9 a.m. in the SC building Room 200, Smith will be speaking about the hidden world of child soldiers amongst third world countries and other conflict zones.
“The U.S. Institute of Peace focuses on the international resolution of conflict in peace building,” Smith said.
Established in 1984, the USIP uses a broad-based approach to assisting in the conflicts across the globe. “We work in education, we give out grants, and we work as a think tank by thinking about issues and writing about them. There is a wide range of methods we use,” Smith said.
Smith will also be consulting with faculty to help them think about what conflict resolution might look like at Meramec.
Smith said that the USIP does work in the U.S. but still focuses on international content as well. By working with high schools and colleges throughout the country, USIP is able to approve the teaching and learning of global peace and conflict issues.
Though world conflict is a huge dilemma, Smith said USIP also works on community resolution as well. “Stopping violence and educating peace is the mission of the USIP,” Smith said.
