official background guide

HARVARD
WORLDMUN
2023

PA R I S , F R A N C E - M A R C H 1 2 - M A R C H 1 6 , 2 0 2 3

DISARMAMENT
AND INTERNATIONAL
SECURITY COMMITTEE
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Letter from the Secretary-General................................................................................ 3

Letter from the Under-Secretary-General.................................................................... 4
Letter from the Director.............................................................................................. 5

Introduction................................................................................................................ 6

Powers of the Committee.............................................................................................6

Statement of the Problem............................................................................................ 7
History of the Problem................................................................................................ 8
Modern Case Studies................................................................................................. 10
Past Actions & Proposed Solutions............................................................................ 14
Questions a Resolution Must Answer........................................................................ 15
Suggestions for Further Research............................................................................... 16

Committee Structure & Delegation Expectations...................................................... 16

Position Papers.......................................................................................................... 17
Closing Remarks....................................................................................................... 18
Endnotes....................................................................................................................19
Bibliography..............................................................................................................20
WORLD MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2023

A LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

Dear Delegates,
Olivia Fu
Secretary-General My name is Olivia, and it is with great pleasure to welcome you to our 31st year of Harvard
World Model United Nations. The past few years with COVID have been difficult for our
Katherine Zhu world, and our WorldMUN community included, and we are looking forward to seeing you
Director-General all for in-person hugs, meals, events, and of course, caucus for the first time in years.
Justin Folks Many eons ago, I joined the WorldMUN organizing team as a bright-eyed college first-
Under-Secretary-General
Administration
year, enthralled by the “Olympics of MUN” posters and its tight-knit community. In those
preparations (for what we would soon come to know as our last in-person conference), I
Joyce Zhou fondly remember pulling up to Cabaret rehearsals on a Sunday morning, writing my EcoFin
Under-Secretary-General background guide in the 24-hour library, and excitedly listening to the planning meetings
Finance & Operations with our host team. Though it’s been a long time since, we are all itching to get back into the
swing of things and bring the spirit of WorldMUN back in-person.
Sammy Guerrero
Under-Secretary-General
Delegate Relations This year of WorldMUN is a new beginning - a chance to both revive old traditions and
create our own, to welcome familiar faces back and meet new ones, and to envision the future
Kalos Chu of WorldMUN together. As we look towards this conference, community, collaboration, and
Under-Secretary-General intellectual curiosity will be key to its success. These are at the core of WorldMUN’s values,
Media, Technology, &
Design
and enable our mission of international discourse and experiential learning.

Davin Shi And no better place to convene than in Paris, the heart of diplomacy. We are excited to
Under-Secretary-General announce CINUP as our host team for our long-awaited return to Europe, and already have
General Assembly lined up many exciting venues, activities, and topics. It is only fitting that our “Olympics of
MUN” matches the Olympic spirit of Paris 2024.
Michael Baxter
Under-Secretary-General We thank you all for your patience in waiting for our return to in-person and our work on
Economic and Social
Council & Regional Bodies this conference, and also want to thank you - our community of delegates, faculty advisors,
organizing teams, and mentors who make this conference a reality every year. If you have any
Tarina Ahuja questions, please do feel free to reach out to [email protected].
Under-Secretary-General
Specialized Agencies
Sincerely,

Olivia Fu
Olivia Fu
Secretary-General
Harvard WorldMUN 2023
Harvard World Model
United Nations
59 Shepard Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Email: [email protected]
www.worldmun.org
WORLD MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2023
A LETTER FROM THE UNDER-SECRETARY GENERAL

Dear Delegates,

Welcome to the General Assembly! My name is Davin Shi, and I look forward to meeting
Olivia Fu and working with each and every one of you at the 31st iteration of WorldMUN.
Secretary-General
I am a junior at Harvard College concentrating in Applied Mathematics and Government,
Katherine Zhu with a secondary in East Asian Studies and a language citation in Mandarin Chinese. I grew
Director-General
up in Lawrenceville, GA, which is located approximately 45 minutes away from Atlanta.
Justin Folks
Under-Secretary-General On campus, I previously served as the secretary of the Harvard-Radcliffe Asian American
Administration Association. I am currently the chief operating officer of the Harvard College China Forum,
North America’s leading and longest-running conference on China. I joined the Harvard
Joyce Zhou Model UN circuit as a freshman, with little prior experience in Model UN, and after serving
Under-Secretary-General
Finance & Operations
as the Chair of the World Health Organization at WorldMUN 2022, I decided to continue
my involvement in WorldMUN as a Secretariat member. In my free time, I enjoy spending
Sammy Guerrero time with friends, taking extremely long naps, and listening to all types of music.
Under-Secretary-General
Delegate Relations As I mentioned earlier, this will be my second year staffing WorldMUN, though I have
staffed at several other Model UN conferences before, including HMUN and HNMUN. I
Kalos Chu am very excited to be leading the General Assembly organ this year, especially because the
Under-Secretary-General
Media, Technology, & GA serves as the main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN. I
Design promise that the GA will leave you with perspectives on a wide array of pressing issues.

Davin Shi I cannot wait to see you all at WorldMUN 2023! I hope to get to know each and every one
Under-Secretary-General of you over the course of the conference. If you have any questions or concerns now or during
General Assembly
the conference, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected].
Michael Baxter
Under-Secretary-General
Sincerely,

Davin Shi
Economic and Social
Council & Regional Bodies

Tarina Ahuja
Under-Secretary-General
Specialized Agencies
Davin Shi
Under-Secretary-General for
the General Assembly
Harvard WorldMUN 2023

Harvard World Model

United Nations
59 Shepard Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Email: [email protected]
www.worldmun.org
WORLD MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2023
A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

Dear Delegates,

It is with immense pleasure that I welcome you to the Disarmament and International
Olivia Fu Security Committee, also known as the First (and Best) Committee of the GA! My name
Secretary-General
is Angela Dela Cruz and I am honored to be your Director for WorldMUN 2023. I eagerly
look forward to the rigorous and engaging debate that will be taking place in our committee,
Katherine Zhu
Director-General and hope that the coming conference is full of growth and learning for each delegate, no
matter the level of experience. I am excited to see what you all bring to the table in March!
Justin Folks
Under-Secretary-General I grew up in Bay Shore, Long Island but was born and raised in the Philippines. I am
Administration currently a junior at Harvard studying Psychology and Economics on the pre-medical track.
When I am not frequenting Widener and Lamont Library in my academic pursuits (in which
Joyce Zhou
Under-Secretary-General
90% of the time is spent picking the perfect Spotify playlist to listen to while I drown in
Finance & Operations my readings), I enjoy photography and exploring the plethora of cafes and poetry shops
tucked away in the corners of Cambridge and Boston. I am thrilled to be directing at an
Sammy Guerrero international conference in France and learning about French culture—though you all may
Under-Secretary-General have to bear with me as I try to remember all of the French I learned in high school!
Delegate Relations

Beyond my daily academic routines, I am involved in several organizations within the Harvard
Kalos Chu
Under-Secretary-General International Relations Council, such as HMUN and HNMUN. I joined the Harvard
Media, Technology, & Model UN circuit after matriculating into college and retiring from competition, and was
Design welcomed by a community filled with kind, enthusiastic, and passionate individuals. After
serving as an Assistant Director of DISEC at HMUN and HNMUN 2021, and a Director of
Davin Shi DISEC at HMUN 2022, I decided to try my hand at being a Chair for WorldMUN 2023!
Under-Secretary-General
General Assembly
During the committee, I look forward to seeing cooperative efforts from delegates representing
Michael Baxter different countries experiencing a diverse range of circumstances. As your committee chair, I
Under-Secretary-General will aim to create an encouraging, collaborative, and most importantly, fun atmosphere, and
Economic and Social I hope that you will join me in making this a conference to remember.
Council & Regional Bodies

I look forward to you all bringing forth great ideas and initiating thoughtful debate, and
Tarina Ahuja
Under-Secretary-General occasionally helping me try to remember French after three years of not taking the language!
Specialized Agencies In the meantime, please do not hesitate to shoot me an email, whether it be questions
pertaining to the background guide or simply just saying hello. All the best, et à bientôt!

Sincerely,

Angela Dela Cruz

Harvard World Model

United Nations
Angela Dela Cruz
59 Shepard Street Director for the Disarmament and
Cambridge, MA 02138 International Security Committee
Email: [email protected] Harvard WorldMUN 2023
www.worldmun.org
6 Background Guide: Disarmament and International Security Committee

INTRODUCTION prohibiting the use of child soldiers in conflicts, while

simultaneously thinking about the future and how
The Disarmament and International Security their roles may change depending on the needs of the
Committee (DISEC), also known as the First government or entity. These points of consideration
Committee, is one of the six General Assembly will help our committee establish firm standards and
(GA) bodies, specifically designed to handle potential guidelines for the international community to uphold.
threats to international security and peace as well
as to suggest solutions for any issues that may arise POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE
when dealing with disarmament. Although proposed
solutions are not legally binding, the First Committee The United Nations was ratified on October 24,
can establish a precedence of standards and criteria for 1945, by the United Nations Charter5. The General
proper conduct, as well as demonstrate the willingness Assembly is “one of the six principal organs of the
of governments and parliaments across the world to United Nations (UN) and the only body in which
champion peace and security between nations1. every member of the organization is represented and
After the Vietnam War, approximately 15 out allowed to vote.” Its primary function is to “discuss
of 100 veterans were diagnosed with PTSD, with 30 issues and make recommendations,” despite lacking
out of 100 veterans estimated to have had PTSD at the power to enforce such resolutions. The body
one point during their lifetime2. Among the veterans also serves to admit new members; choose members
involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC),
Enduring Freedom, both of which occurred in the Security Council, and the Trusteeship Council;
the 2000s, about 11-20% of soldiers experienced supervise the other UN organs’ activities as they are
PTSD. A June 2010 study involving National Guard recorded and received via reports; and participate in
soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan resulted in elections for International Court of Justice judges
PTSD rates between 9-31% overall3, with symptoms and Secretary-General6. The General Assembly has
persisting up to a year after returning from the region. influenced political, economic, humanitarian, social
With military involvement, there is a great amount of and legal measures that “have benefitted the lives of
mental, physical, and emotional distress, the effects of millions of people throughout the world7.”
which are exacerbated when child soldiers are used The Disarmament and International Security
in these conflicts. While several treaties have been Committee (DISEC) was established in 1945 as
implemented in an attempt to reduce the number one of the six main subcommittees of the General
of children forced into violent militia roles, there Assembly. This UN body “addresses disarmament,
are still a plethora of nations that use children as global challenges and threats to peace that affect the
soldiers, cooks, spies, and even sex slaves4. Regardless international community and seeks out solutions to
of the role forced upon them, child soldiers become the challenges in the international security regime8.”
firsthand witnesses, victims, and even involuntary In DISEC, participating member states discuss
participants of violence. The manipulation of international security matters (that fall within the
children by individuals seeking political, economic, scope of the Charter or the powers and functions
and militaristic success has unsurprising consequences of other UN organs); cooperation between nations;
on the development of the children, with their human disarmament and regulation of armaments related
right to life and protection being violated as they are to international security and peace; and collaboration
exploited to carry out these dangerous tasks. efforts to monitor military equipment and/or
As the First Committee, it is of utmost importance weapons9.
that delegates work together to create solutions that DISEC meets annually in October for four to
prioritize the wellbeing and minimize the threat to five weeks after the General Assembly holds its
the peace of the international community, while conference. All 193 member nations of the UN body
advocating for the victims of these violations of are invited to attend these yearly sessions. The first
international human rights laws. Furthermore, keeping eight days of the session center around general debate,
in mind technological and militaristic advancements is followed by two weeks of discussion on each of
paramount to the success of our proposed documents. DISEC’s seven agenda goals, which are the following:
Warfare is constantly evolving, and with it, the roles of “nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction,
soldiers in combat and their designated missions. In outer space (disarmament aspects), conventional
other words, as society and warfare advances, so must weapons, regional disarmament and security, other
we. Discussions must consider how to improve laws disarmament measures and international security, and
Harvard World Model United Nations 2023 7

the disarmament machinery10.” At the 76th session to support their families or loved ones16. Though
of the United Nations General Assembly, DISEC their reasoning is understandable, children end up
focused on an array of concerns within the scope of experiencing violence at the hands of the adults in
their power, such as the prevention of an arms race which they place their trust. While forced to work as
in outer space and further measures for prevention, servants, cooks, messengers, or spies, many children
as well as reduction of space threats through norms, are exploited—girls, in particular, face sexual abuse
rules, and discussions of appropriate behavior; the and are often forced into being child brides if they are
role of science and technology as it pertains to the not abandoned or killed17.
security and safety of the international community as Recognizing the insufficiency of existing
well as disarmament; the reduction of military budgets; international laws and documents, delegates should
and the prohibition of developing, producing and strive to address the topic thoroughly and aggressively.
stockpiling biological and toxin weapons, including Children in warfare, especially child soldiers, is
methods of [their] destruction11. a pressing issue that must be treated with great
attention to detail—otherwise, the perpetual abuse
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM of and disregard for current documents will persist
Neville Chamberlain once said, “In war, despite the best efforts of DISEC’s member nations.
whichever side may call itself the victor, there are Confronted with this pressing and grave matter,
no winners, but all are losers.” Indeed, it is difficult DISEC must address the continuous exploitation
to perceive victory in a situation wherein both of children in the context of child soldiers in armed
sides suffer terrible losses. The impact of war is conflict.
catastrophic, often obstructing the socioeconomic
progression of involved nations as well as causing
long-term physical, mental, and psychological effects
for children, families, and soldiers12. These effects are
typically more severe for children than adults due to a
disruption in development and attachment. Children
in armed conflict zones often live in a constant mode
of survival with parents who may be too concerned
with ensuring the safety of their family to give their
children attention or emotional support13.
According to reports from 2019, over 400 million
children lived in an area affected by armed conflict,
and over 100 million lived in a region with high-
Two young boys, one of whom appears to be affiliated
intensity conflict zones14. More recently, UNICEF with South Sudanese forces, stand arm-in-arm wearing
reported almost 1,000 children killed in the conflict in what looks like uniforms used in combat groups.
Ukraine as a result of violence—even these statistics
What actions should governments pursue
are underestimations, as they only account for
to prohibit armed forces and military groups
deaths that the UN organization can verify15. Aside
from recruiting children? How should the
from risking death, youth in conflict areas also face
international community address the practice of using
potential injuries such as amputations or severe illness
children as assets in war? In the event that such a
with complications, which could serve as a constant
practice is eradicated, how can the community ensure
reminder of the pain and suffering they endured in
and provide support for children who are currently
their early years and a debilitating loss that they will
experiencing the consequences of being first-hand
have to deal with for the rest of their lives.
witnesses to atrocities committed on the battlefield?
Though many international documents and
The committee should work diligently to address
treaties have been signed by national governments
these issues and points, perhaps in an all-inclusive,
and international organizations to combat child
versatile framework that considers both immediate
soldier recruitment, military groups and armed forces
and long-term actions and measures. Otherwise, a
continue to recruit children. They may become a part
lack of strategy and imminent initiative will result
of a combat group through coercion, manipulation,
in an unopposed threat to the welfare and rights of
or threats by individuals who hold greater power.
children worldwide.
Others decide to join to survive or make money
8 Background Guide: Disarmament and International Security Committee

HISTORY OF THE PROBLEM century that they took on a purely ceremonial

status. In battle, drummer boys were responsible
for keeping time, regulating the marching of the
Ancient Warfare
troops, and communicating specific messages to
Children have played a significant role in the
other camps through varying combinations of drum
strategy and manpower of many armies throughout
beats. Drummer boys were required to be at the
history. Their services have varied from direct combat
front, a position of risk and vulnerability to opposing
to espionage. The involvement of children can be
forces22. Though military drummer boys varied in
traced back as far as ancient Rome, Greece, and the
age, the youngest ones have historically stood out the
Bible. In Sparta, a city in ancient Greece, children
most due to their age and service on the battlefield.
were heavily influenced by the fighting culture that
Drummer boys such as Robert Hendershot of the
was prominent in the era, and male babies’ physical
Rappahannock at the Battle of Fredericksburg23
attributes were examined by a council which
traveled with the troops and proved to be a useful
determined their fitness18. Should a baby be deemed
asset in maneuvering and strategizing against enemy
unfit, they would be abandoned on a hillside as their
forces.
physical characteristics were short of the Spartan
The recruitment of youth to the army/military
standard. Spartan boys were enlisted into agoge, a
forces in the United States persisted through the
rigorous education and training program that all
establishment of the U.S. Army Junior Reserve
Spartan men are required to complete. As stated by
Officers’ Training Corps, colloquially known as
Plutarch, “[t]heir training was calculated to make them
JROTC24. JROTC programs, as stipulated by the
obey commands well, endure hardships and conquer
National Defense Act of 1916, are intended to instill
in battle… When they were 12 years old, they no
citizenship, committed service to one’s nation, and
longer had tunics to wear, received one cloak a year,
individual achievement within students.
had hard flesh and knew little of baths.” Though
Spartan youth were enlisted and trained in military Historical Case Study: WWI & WWII
education, they were not allowed to serve as a Spartan Many states, Western countries in particular,
soldier until the age of 20; until then, they were given practiced the recruitment of child soldiers throughout
responsibilities off the battlefield19. the history of warfare. These practices came to a
head in World War I and World War II, where the
Medieval Warfare
need for manpower in Western countries overrode
Medieval Europe regularly used young boys
age restrictions that typically prohibited young men
in the military, though direct combat was not their
from enlisting in their nations’ armies. The following
primary task. Pages—young males who served at the
command of a knight or nobleman—were frequently
seen on military grounds. These page boys were
tasked with menial, household chores, but they also
received military training in the form of horse riding
and weaponry, as well as a proper education (which
was difficult to access for a typical low-income family
at the time). A common weapon of choice among
young boys in European militaries were crossbows—a
ranged weapon with a bow-like assembly mounted on
a mainframe, capable of shooting bolts (arrow-like
projectiles)20. Easy to use and reload, children used
crossbows during battle, allowing them to maim or
kill those in the field without directly engaging in A lineup of soldiers—many of whom are noticeably young
combat21. in appearance—appear in front of who seems to be a com-
manding officer. (Getty Images)
Modern Warfare sections will discuss the two World Wars and the
While the bulk of this guide focuses on children
involvement of children in these conflicts in greater
engaging in combat, there were many duties on the
detail.
battlefield that were unrelated to fighting. Drummer
Fighting in 20th century Europe called for an
boys had been in use since the 13th century, but it
increased demand for recruitment and men on the
was not until the American Civil War in the 19th
Harvard World Model United Nations 2023 9

front lines. Despite countries having a minimum age children,” a comparison to wolves who wandered
requirement to join their forces, some armies still around, looking for sustenance and methods of
accepted younger applicants. Britain, for example, survival. These children were separated from their
previously required their boys to be 19 years of age or communities, forced to meander in the forests, in the
older to join; however, droves of 14-year olds ended hopes that they would make it out alive28.
up enlisting to fight on the battlefield, and the officials
of Britain’s army were in no position to turn away
Present Relevance and Development of
potential troops, many of which were in good physical
International Law
The use of children in conflict resulted in a
health and were eager to enter combat25. Additionally,
demand for the international protection of the youth.
circumstances regarding recruitment made it easy
This call for action resulted in the ratification of the
for so many young men to make it to the conflict
Geneva Convention in 1977, of which the Fourth
zones. Recruitment officers were paid for each troop
treaty focuses on the safety of children—particularly
they successfully recruited, which incentivized them
those under fifteen—during times of war, and
to take anyone they could at the time. Furthermore,
encourages the use of preventative measures for the
birth certificates were not widely distributed in the
recruitment of children. This Convention was shortly
beginning of the 20th century; though many boys
looked their age, it was easy to lie about their dates of
birth. The requirements for physical measurements
were also not of a high caliber; the minimum height
and chest requirements were 5 foot 3 and 34 inches,
respectively. It is estimated that 250,000 boys under
the age of 18 served in the British army during the
first World War.
It is worth noting that the contributions of
these young men did not go unnoticed. John Travers
Cornwell, a young man who joined the Navy at
At the St. George’s Church of England School in Battersea,
the age of 15, was posthumously awarded with the London, girls who were also evacuees participated in an
Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious honor open-air sewing class. (Imperial War Museums)
that could be bestowed upon a man of the British
followed by the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the
forces. On board the HMS Chester when German
Child, which further clarified guidelines pertaining to
shells ripped open and destroyed the ship’s sides
young adults in armed forces and provided restrictions
and guns, Cornwell remained at his post waiting for
for states parties relating to armed forces recruitment.
orders despite being under heavy fire. Cornwell was
The 1977 Geneva Convention and 1989 Convention
the youngest recipient of the Victoria Cross award of
on the Rights of the Child are two examples of several
the 20th century, and third youngest overall26. Though
documents and agreements attempting to put an end
many young men were able to return home after the
to the recruitment of children in military groups, but
war, most of them developed Post-Traumatic Stress
despite efforts made by the international community,
Disorder as a result of direct exposure to traumatic
organizations all over the world have failed to uphold
events and stressors, or became adamantly against war
the standards by which they previously agreed to
efforts in their respective communities.
abide by.
The Second World War had a greater impact than
Ongoing conflicts between nations (such as
the First, and the role of children in the war varied
the Russo-Ukrainian War) demonstrate the effects
both on and off the field. To aid efforts in the War,
of war on children in real time, particularly on
girls were taught how to sew at a young age. These
youth who actively engage in combat with opposing
sewing lessons, as well as general academic lessons,
forces. According to a July 2022 news article released
were held in the outdoors or odd regions of the town.
by the UN, children experience an average of 65
This was due, in par, to the destruction of school
severe violations every day, the leading reason being
buildings during the war from artillery or overhead
killings and maimings followed by the recruitment of
bombings27.
children in armed forces29. Efforts have been made to
Due to the devastating effects of the Second
discourage the use of adolescents and children in war
World War, many children were displaced from their
zones; in October 2022, the United States announced
homes and isolated from their families. Notably,
that they would not be issuing any waivers to partner
youth from eastern Prussia were regarded as “wolf
10 Background Guide: Disarmament and International Security Committee

countries who violate the principles of the Child are women and children, as the government has
Soldiers Prevention Act of 200830. Though President prohibited males between the ages of 18 and 60 from
Biden’s administration has decided to take action leaving in order to fight in the war.34
against child soldier recruitment, a non-governmental The United Nations International Children’s
organization (NGO) by the name of Human Rights Emergency Fund, UNICEF, has grown increasingly
Watch reported that almost $250 million will still be concerned with the possibility of and evidence
allocated to nations actively using children as soldiers supporting child soldier recruitment by Ukraine
in the coming fiscal year31. While the international in their attempt to acquire more manpower. As
community is headed in the right direction, further publicly stated by UNICEF’s Ukraine representative,
steps can be taken to maximize the impact of Giovanna Barberis: ““Armed groups should not,
their decisions and, by extension, the detriments under any circumstances, recruit or use in hostilities
experienced by the nations violating international law. people under the age of 18 years35.” It appears as
Case studies on civil wars and regional though children involved in conflict zones in Ukraine
conflicts, which will be discussed in the following are portrayed as heroes to the general public, thereby
section, highlight the atrocities committed against glorifying their participation in the violence and
the country’s youth and the challenges facing the atrocities committed in war.
international community in the prevention of child Witnesses also reported the use of child soldiers
soldier recruitment. While there are many instances in the Russian army during the Russo-Ukrainian War.
demonstrating the exploitation of youth as it pertains In Bucha, a town near the capital Kyiv, locals describe
to combat and the military/armed forces, these Russian children being used as human barricades or
three cases are significant in their current relevance, shields by Russian forces, who place them in front of
exhibition of inaction and indifference toward tanks in order to protect their offensive weapons on
international uproar, and usage of children in modern/ the battlefield. Ukrainian children have also been taken
technological warfare. hostage by Russian soldiers for a very similar reason—
Ukrainian forces will not fire on trucks or convoys
Modern Case Studies carrying their youth. These reports are not isolated in
Bucha; Sumy, Kyiv, and Zaporizhzhia are also areas of
Case Study 1 — Ukraine the country where Ukrainians claim to see the same
In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea from the country tactics used by the Russian army36. The current use
of Ukraine, an annexation that was illegal in nature; of children from both nations as child soldiers and
this marked the beginning of the ongoing Russo- battlefield pawns is arguably a form of psychological
Ukrainian War32. The invasion itself caused tens of warfare, one that manipulates and minimizes the lives
thousands of deaths, as well as a mass emigration of Russian and Ukrainian youths for the purposes of
crisis resulting in food shortages. Roughly 7.7 million a short-lived military tactic.
refugees from Ukraine were displaced across Europe Pursuant to Article 38 of the Optional Protocol
as of February 202233. to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on
Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (OPAC),
state members must forgo the recruitment of an
individual who is yet to reach the age of 15 into their
military or armed groups. Having ratified OPAC and
signing in September 200037, Ukraine has failed to
uphold their commitments to the protocols stipulated
in the treaty. Lack of proper acknowledgement of the
role of children in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war
A ten-year old boy is pictured in front of what once was may result in more casualties from the youth and/or
his family’s apartment. The building, located in Chernihiv,
Ukraine, sustained immense damage from an air strike. their increased endangerment in the conflict zone.
The conflict between the two nations greatly Case Study 2 — Ethiopia
escalated when Russia invaded Ukraine on February Ethiopia is in the midst of an almost two-year
24, 2022. In the six months since the invasion, 13 war taking place in Tigray, a region located in the
million Ukrainians have been displaced, causing the northernmost area of the country. The conflict, which
largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. A began in 2020, is being fought between the Tigray
majority of the Ukrainians who have fled the country
Harvard World Model United Nations 2023 11

People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian beginning of the conflict, with roughly 13 million
federal government, as well as the nation of Eritrea38. children in need of treatment or assistance43. Schools
The Mekelle Offensive triggered the beginning and hospitals in the nation have experienced damage
of the war, in which the Ethiopian National Defense and/or closed; due to their proximity to the conflict,
Force (ENDF) exchanged gunfire with the Tigray children are at an increased risk of recruitment into
Defense Force in November 2020; the conflict armed groups, child labor, and child marriage44.
escalated in the following days, resulting in the civil As the war progressed, children were recruited
war known as the Tigray War39. As of February 2022, for the Houthi armed forces, and organizations such
500,000 individuals have died over a 16-month period
as a result of the war, as well as famine in the Tigray
region. Scholars estimate 50,000 to 100,000 deaths as
a result of killings, 150,000 to 200,000 from starvation,
and over 100,000 from a lack of access to proper
medical care40.
TPLF has routinely recruited children under the
age of 18 for its armed forces, with child soldiers
actively engaged in direct combat, as recounted by
locals based in the Tigray region. According to the
ENDF, TPLF forces place these children in front A group of children in the Tigray region are pictured with
of other soldiers as the first line of offense/defense, automatic weapons. They are more likely than not affili-
ated with the militia group, or at the very least have been
acting like a human barricade41. Despite TPLF’s coerced to aid in the region’s fight.
efforts to refute the ENDF’s claims, however, photo
evidence has confirmed the direct involvement as the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor
of child soldiers in combat—a war crime that the report that roughly 10,000 children were forcibly
international community should actively address recruited since 201445. Between 2018 and 2020,
and acknowledge. The recruitment and use of child the Houthis opened up 52 training camps with the
soldiers is both a war crime and a violation of the intention of training thousands of Yemeni children
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; failure for combat. These children were forced to attend a
to properly confront this pressing issue will result in month-long military course, after which they directly
an increased number of children at risk of directly assisted in conflicts, laying mines on the battlefield
engaging in conflict in the Tigray region. and guarding Houthi territory and buildings. Aside
from using force and threatening Yemeni families in
Case Study 3 — Yemen the local villages, the group also targeted children who
Yemen, formally known as the Republic of Yemen, were extremely poor or displaced. They promised
is a small country located in western Asia on the families monetary compensation in return for their
southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. Similar to the child’s military service, or coerced those who were
aforementioned case studies, Yemen is experiencing abandoned or orphaned into service. One testimony
an ongoing civil war that originally began in 2014. from a 14-year old child who “served” at the Nimh
Several contributing factors escalated tensions, battlefront recalled loading and transporting guns,
including outrage over increases in fuel prices. The tasks that require arduous labor and result in physical
Houthi movement—an Islamist political movement— and mental exhaustion, especially for a developing
demanded lower fuel prices while advocating for a new adolescent. The child also spoke of fearing for his life,
system of government. Eventually, Houthi insurgents as well as missing his family and home during the days
took over the city of Sana’a after the onset of the war, that he spent under the Houthi armed forces46.
and the takeover of the government followed shortly In April 2022, the United Nations reported that
after. The war has resulted in the displacement of the Houthi rebels agreed to remove children from
millions of Yemeni people, famine, and an astonishing their militia ranks after recruiting them as soldiers for
lack of access to proper medical treatment as well as over seven years of the Yemeni Civil War47. Abdul
insufficient medical supplies42. Eluh Hajar, a Houthi diplomat, signed an agreement
The Yemeni Civil War has had a devastating with the UN agreeing to cease the recruitment of child
impact on the Yemeni population. As of October soldiers in order to prevent injury or death to youth
2021, approximately 10,000 children were reported who live near or in conflict zones and attacks on schools
to have sustained injuries or been killed since the and hospitals. However, as of June 2022, reports
12 Background Guide: Disarmament and International Security Committee

from Houthis officials and organization members in warfare. It is beneficial to analyze the following
claim that these recruiting efforts have failed to end documents and understand their importance, as well
despite the aforementioned agreement48. According as take note of their shortcomings and limitations.
to Houthis officials, there is a belief within the group
that boys at the age of 10 or 12 are considered men,
Geneva Convention (1977)
Written in 1949, the Geneva Conventions were
thereby allowing them to serve in the military and
four treaties (and eventually three additional protocols)
fight for the movement’s cause. These perspectives
relating to prisoners of war, the treatment of civilians,
are exacerbated by traditions that are deeply rooted
and soldiers indirectly or not involved in wars49. The
in the Yemeni community, wherein young boys
Conventions went into effect on October 21, 195050,
who possess or actively carry a weapon bring their
and currently serve as a core pillar of international law.
families great pride and exhibit their manhood. The
The First Geneva Convention was first adopted
blatant disregard for their agreement with the United
in 1864 and provide protection for those wounded
Nations is extremely concerning, especially when
in battle, those involved in medical transport, and
one considers the future implications. Lack of action
religious figures51. The Second Geneva Convention
by the UN and its respective bodies will weaken the
was first adopted in 1949 and pertains to the protection
power that the organization holds, as well as set a
of those wounded or sick, as well as soldiers and other
precedent that may allow countries or organizations
personnel shipwrecked at sea. The Third Geneva
akin to the Houthis to disregard international treaties
Convention was first adopted in 1929 and established
or agreements implemented in the past. Furthermore,
clear guidelines on the treatment of prisoners of war,
the unwavering perspective on the manhood of young
stipulating that they must receive humane treatment,
boys, coupled with their continued recruitment, places
in terms of both basic necessities and medical care.
Yemeni’s youth in a position to develop psychological,
The Fourth Geneva Convention, adopted in 1949,
physical, and emotional trauma as a result of their
concerns the protection of innocent civilians in areas
involvement in the Yemeni Civil War.
of or near conflict and occupied territories.
PAST ACTIONS & PROPOSED In particular, the 24th Article of the Fourth
Geneva Convention stipulates that “The Parties
to the conflict shall take the necessary measures to
ensure that children under fifteen, who are orphaned
or are separated from their families as a result of the
war, are not left to their own resources, and that their
maintenance, the exercise of their religion and their
education are facilitated in all circumstances. Their
education shall, as far as possible, be entrusted to
persons of a similar cultural tradition52.” Furthermore,
Article 77(2) of the 1977 Additional Protocol I of the
Geneva Conventions prohibits the use of children
Soldiers associated with the Houthi Movement in Yemen in warfare in fighting, stating that “The Parties to
march in a parade in Sana’a, the nation’s capital. the conflict shall take all feasible measures in order
that children who have not attained the age of fifteen
SOLUTIONS years do not take a direct part in hostilities and, in
particular, they shall refrain from recruiting them
Past Actions and Legal Framework into their armed forces. In recruiting among those
In order to address the issue of child soldiers, persons who have attained the age of fifteen years but
several international documents have been ratified who have not attained the age of eighteen years, the
with the intent of protecting children’s safety and Parties to the conflict shall endeavor to give priority to
security. While such efforts have restricted children’s those who are oldest53.” Article 4(3)(c) of Additional
involvement in war, armed forces and militaries across Protocol II provides further clarification on the use
the world continue to recruit child soldiers, which of children in warfare. In short, the Fourth Geneva
expose them to extreme violence, atrocities, abuse Convention and two Additional Protocols forbid
at the hands of higher-ranking individuals within the the use of children under the age of 15 in conflict
armed group. Unsurprisingly, numerous violations of regardless of the context in which they serve.
international law have resulted from the use of children
Harvard World Model United Nations 2023 13

Convention on the Rights of the Child Consistent with documents previously discussed,
(1989) Article 22 aims to protect youth from the terrors of
In 1989, the United Nations began to formulate war and minimize or even completely eradicate the
the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The risk of children being recruited.
international humanitarian treaty later went into It is important to note that the Children’s Charter
effect on September 2, 1990 with the objective of is the first document discussed thus far that is specific
protecting the rights of children, which the document to a region—in this case, the document refers to
establishes to be any human being under 18 years of children in an African context. Further research should
age (in Article 1).54 be done on other regional documents to determine if
In addition to the several measures taken and issues pertaining to child soldiers are exclusive to one
acknowledgements made in the treaty, the Convention region, or if the concerns extend to other regions of
on the Rights of the Child also established restrictions the world.
on the recruitment of children for warfare. More Optional Protocol to the Convention
specifically, Article 38(3) states, “States Parties shall on the Rights of the Child on
refrain from recruiting any person who has not Involvement of Children in Armed
attained the age of fifteen years into their armed Conflict (2000)
forces. In recruiting among those persons who have Unlike the other, aforementioned documents,
attained the age of fifteen years but who have not the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the
attained the age of eighteen years, States Parties shall Rights of the Child on Involvement of Children in
endeavor to give priority to those who are oldest55.” Armed Conflict (OPAC, for short) was the first treaty
This declaration was made in order to protect children created with sole intent of ending the exploitation of
from the violence and atrocities committed and children in armed conflict. The international treaty
witnessed in armed conflict. Though the conditions was adopted on May 25, 2000, and 172 countries
of the Convention were clear, many nations continue have since then ratified the document60. Similar to
to recruit children well under eighteen to serve in their the previous treaties, OPAC addressed the issue of
armed forces or militia groups. the recruitment of young children, stipulating in
African Charter on the Rights and Article 2 that “States Parties shall ensure that persons
Welfare of the Child (1990) who have not attained the age of 18 years are not
On July 1, 1990, the Organization of African compulsorily recruited into their armed forces,” and
Unity—currently known as the African Union— in Article 4 that “States Parties that permit voluntary
adopted the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare recruitment into their national armed forces under the
of the Child (ACRWC, or the Children’s Charter)56. age of 18 years shall maintain safeguards to ensure,
The charter was created to establish international as a minimum, that: such recruitment is genuinely
principles and regulations safeguarding the rights of voluntary; such recruitment is carried out with the
children. All but five member nations of the African informed consent of the person’s parents or legal
Union have signed the Children’s Charter as of June guardians; such persons are fully informed of the
202157. duties involved in such military service; such persons
The Children’s Charter is aligned with the provide reliable proof of age prior to acceptance into
principles emphasized in the Convention of the Rights national military service .” These prohibitions were
61

of the Child. Article 22 focuses on children’s role in some of the several implemented in order to limit
Armed Conflicts; per Article 22(2), the document recruitment efforts. The document went into effect
states, “States Parties to the present Charter shall take on February 12, 2002.
all necessary measures to ensure that no child shall Child Soldiers Prevention Act (2008)
take a direct part in hostilities and refrain in particular, Signed into law by former United States President
from recruiting any child58.” Article 22(3) expands George W. Bush, the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of
on assistance that must be provided to children in 2008 was created with the intention of criminalizing
warfare, stating that member nations must “... protect armed forces involved in child soldier recruitment62.
the civilian population in armed conflicts and shall The federal statute requires the Secretary of State to
take all feasible measures to ensure the protection and publish an annual list of nations actively involved in the
care of children who are affected by armed conflicts. use or recruitment of children in warfare. Additionally,
Such rules shall also apply to children in situations as per Section 403 of Annex 7 of the Child Soldier
of internal armed conflicts, tension and strife59.”
14 Background Guide: Disarmament and International Security Committee

Prevention Act, Congress declared that “... the United Aside from the psychological effects of war, former
States Government should expand ongoing services to child soldiers must learn to adapt to a society where
rehabilitate recovered child soldiers and to reintegrate violence and death do not lurk at every corner65.
such children back into their respective communities Re-Integration—the third step—focuses on
by: offering ongoing psychological services to help aiding children in their transition back into civil society.
such children… facilitating reconciliation with such The reintegration of former child soldiers into their
communities through negotiations with traditional communities goes beyond securing their physical
leaders and elders to enable recovered abductees needs, such as a stable home, food, water, etc. It
to resume normal lives in such communities; and should be noted that when reintegrating children into
providing educational and vocational assistance63.” civil society, three components must be emphasized:
The provisions of the CSPA were implemented “family reunification, psychosocial support and
in an attempt to end child soldier recruitment, as education, and economic opportunity66.” Even then,
well as to provide assistance for children recently successful reintegration is not guaranteed; children
removed from an armed conflict zone. Violation of who formerly served in combat are susceptible to
the conditions outlined in the Act will result in the re-recruitment after a failure of economic and social
United States withholding some military assistance reintegration into their communities or groups. These
from governmental entities who allow the use or children often re-enter the combat zone and the cycle
recruitment of child soldiers in or for their military of violence and mistreatment continues again67.
groups. Aside from the DDR approach, delegates should
also strive to address the prevention of using children
Proposed Solutions in combat. As previously discussed, regulations, laws,
In order to mitigate or completely eliminate
and documents have been passed to reduce the use
the use of child soldiers, delegates must address
of children in armed conflict. However, it is difficult
the recruitment and exploitation of children as it
to enforce such agreements on an international scale.
pertains to combat. An acronym commonly used
To propose solutions regarding the prevention of
when considering solutions to this issue is DDR:
the usage of child soldiers, delegates should consider
Disarmament, Demobilization, and Re-Integration.
current military policies on an international or national
This three-step approach has been a topic of interest
scale. It may be fruitful to conduct further research
in research conducted to help children who were
on why children became a part of the armed forces.
formerly exploited by their military groups.
Aside from being easier to coerce (relative to adults),
Disarmament, the first step in the three-pronged
children may also feel compelled to enlist in order to
approach, is the reduction, limitation, or abolition
help their family or protect their communities/towns.
of weapons as it pertains to children in the warzone.
Additionally, it is possible that these children feel safer
Children in conflict are placed in an environment
in these groups, as if they are guarded by the heavy
fraught with violence and atrocities that even
weaponry and soldiers constantly surrounding them.
deployed adult soldiers struggle to process. As a result,
In order to ameliorate this problem, it is pertinent
studies have shown that repeated exposure and first-
delegates get to the root of the issue and work their
hand witnessing of constant trauma severely impacts
way up, so as to avoid resolving only the symptoms
the development of an adolescent, leaving child
and not the underlying causes of the usage and
soldiers with an array of mental illnesses such as post-
deployment of children in armed conflict.
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)64. Thus, it is crucial
to remove child soldiers (and children in general) QUESTIONS A RESOLUTION
from such psychologically-impairing conditions and MUST ANSWER (QARMA)
work towards their demobilization.
Demobilization is the second step, wherein the In order to provide guidance on the research
children are removed from their armed forces and process, below are several questions regarding the topic
separated from the world of conflict. Demobilization of Child Soldiers. While delegates are not obligated to
allows for physical distance between the children answer these questions, it is highly encouraged that
and the combat zone/army, and protects them from they keep them in mind while researching, as they take
further harm from their former affiliations. However, into consideration some of the topic’s objectives and
it is important to note that children of war (in this goals.
case, those who served as fighters) are no longer the Additionally, some of the questions pertain to
children they once were prior to experiencing combat. personal perspective/involvement in this issue; when
Harvard World Model United Nations 2023 15

looking at these questions, it is encouraged that While other countries possess the ability to
delegates reflect on their subjectivity, particularly with prohibit the use of child soldiers, others do not
how it relates to their country’s stance. While you may have the sociopolitical stability to do so. What
not agree with your nation’s opinion on the use of do you propose to prevent the use of children in
child soldiers, it is important that you maintain your warfare in these regions?
country’s policy in debate. More information about
Are there any non-governmental organizations
how to conduct research, as well as how to find useful
(NGOs) operating in your nation with the goal of
sources, can be found in the next section.
mitigating the problem of children being used in
Does your nation regularly use child soldiers
warfare? To what extent have these NGOs been
in combat/the war zone? If so, what primary
successful, if at all?
purpose do they serve in your respective country?
How can you, as a nation, promote the protection
Have child soldiers ever been used in the history
of children’s human rights?
of your nation (that you know of)?
Is your nation currently allied with any other SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER
nations that actively use child soldiers in war? RESEARCH
As a former DISEC delegate and a current DISEC
chair, I take immense pride in knowing that my
committees are composed of delegates with varying
Model UN experiences and capabilities. Knowing that
there are a plethora of differing cultures, backgrounds,
and perspectives in the sea of DISEC delegates that
will sit before me in March leads me to believe that
fruitful debates and discussions will be taking place in
our committee room. That being said, not everyone
will have months or years of experience under their
belts. Recognizing this, here are a few suggestions for
A young boy is seen carrying an automated weapon in further research that delegates of all experience levels
Mogadishu, Somalia as part of a military training exercise. can use:
He is surrounded by fighters affiliated with the Al-Shabaab,
an Islamic jihadist group in Africa. (Human Rights Watch) To get a general idea of the topic, delegates can
Relating to the last question, how might this use published resources from the United Nations as
relationship (if such a relationship exists) well as their website to start their research process.
between your nation and one with heavy usage Websites such as the UN’s Meeting Coverage and
of child soldiers affect your perspective when Press Release are quite helpful when looking into
discussing this international issue? firsthand accounts and publications on a given topic.
Delegates should also consider researching local or
Has your nation created or released previous national non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
regulations on the use of child soldiers, or passed being well-informed on the NGOs in a given nation
any laws/documents relating to the prevention (related to child soldiers or otherwise) may serve to be
of children being used in combat? a useful tool in discussion, as NGOs are commonly
mentioned in resolution clauses.
Has your nation signed any international treaties
Delegates should have a deep understanding
or documents related to the regulation of child
of their stance on the topic. Being informed of the
soldiers in combat (e.g., The Optional Protocol
nations’ past, present, and (if applicable) projected
to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on
future will give them a platform on which to base their
the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict,
argument, as well as to prepare them for conference.
otherwise known as OPAC)?68
Using the History section of this background guide is
insufficient, and we highly recommend using credible
sources to further research your nation. Yearly reports,
accredited news sources (either globally known or
local to your assigned country), and published articles
16 Background Guide: Disarmament and International Security Committee

on authentic databases are some potential sources to submitted by four separate blocs, though only two
look into. may be allowed to pass via a formal voting procedure.
We suggest (though do not require) looking into With regards to sponsors, we highly encourage
specific case studies or events that occurred either in delegates to sponsor only one resolution—in other
or in relation to your country. For instance, a delegate words, you may not formally sponsor more than one
representing the United Nations in a committee on resolution submitted to the dais.
drone Technology and proliferation may want to
research the use of drones and related technologies
Delegate Expectations
Having been a delegate myself, I know that aside
in the 20-year war in Afghanistan, as these devices
from participating in an international conference
played a significant role later on in the conflict.
and meeting individuals from all over the world,
Overall, your position paper should go beyond the
you are all also aiming to be recognized for your
research conducted and presented in this background
contributions and leadership during the conference.
guide. Keep it concise, factually accurate, and logical—
While I appreciate outgoing, vocal delegates in my
not only can you demonstrate the amount of thought
committees, there is more to being a leader than
and effort you put into researching the topic of the
speaking during every moderated caucus and speaker’s
committee, the research you perform can also allow
list. As a chair, I look for those who include everyone
you to perform successfully during WorldMUN.
in the discussion, especially individuals who struggle
Finally, this process should be educational, fun, and
with public speaking or have a hard time finding their
thought-provoking, and it is certainly worth it when
voice amongst the dozens in the room. Additionally,
you see and experience the fruits of your labor in
it is of utmost importance that outstanding delegates
March!
in DISEC uphold their country policy above all
COMMITTEE STRUCTURE & else. There have been many deserving awards in my
DELEGATE EXPECTATIONS committees, but the ones who ultimately take the
certificate home are those who are able to stand out
Partaking in a simulation of the Disarmament from the rest, and they do so by arguing for the beliefs
and International Security Committee gives us the of their nation regardless of whether they personally
privilege of having the greatest number of delegates agree. I also encourage everyone in our committee to
present and participating at one time. Being the largest step outside of their comfort zones and have fun with
committee gives us the opportunity to have diversity debate! Whether it be through speaking in front of
in perspectives and stances when discussing the topic an entire committee for the first time, writing a hefty
of Child Soldiers. Put simply, I expect opinions to clause for a resolution, or publicly disagreeing with
differ and heavy debate to take place this coming a bloc’s position on the topic, the best way to grow
March. Below are a few expectations for delegates, as as a delegate and individual is to push beyond your
well as a general structure for how DISEC will operate limitations, and there is no better opportunity to do
at WorldMUN. that than at WorldMUN. Finally, above all else, I look
Committee Structure for delegates who come with and maintain decorum.
DISEC will be following standard parliamentary While it can be easy to lose your temper in debate,
procedure at WorldMUN 2022, though certain diplomats of the United Nations cannot afford to
motions or details may be subject to the chair’s lose their cool—and neither can you. Respect and
discretion at any given time. Our committee will not kindness is something that the dias highly values, and
be incorporating a crisis element, mainly due to the at the end of the day, WorldMUN is meant to foster
vast nature of the topic and the plethora of debate a collaborative environment where delegates of all
expected to take place in each session. As the largest backgrounds and experiences can come together and
organ of GA typically, DISEC delegates historically engage in meaningful debate.
have worked until the very last minute of the final
session to debate their ideas and formulate them into POSITION PAPERS
cohesive resolutions. Furthermore, given that the issue
Prior to arriving at WorldMUN, all delegates are
is broad enough to implement a variety of ideas and
required to submit position papers regarding the topic
perspectives, two resolutions will be allowed to pass
of Child Soldiers. All work put forth by delegates
at the end of the conference, though the chairs will
must be of their own writing, as our conference does
accept any number of finalized resolutions to debate
not tolerate plagiarism of any degree. For those who
on the floor. For example, four resolutions may be
Harvard World Model United Nations 2023 17

have yet to write a position paper, they are essentially Proposing solutions is one of the most significant
a compilation of the research you have performed aspects of your position paper. These solutions can
on the topic of our committee and this background be used as one of your points of discussion and drive
guide. Position papers should include the context progress in your bloc and the committee as a whole.
of the situation, the issue on an international level, Regardless of how many solutions you propose, we
and specific proposals on how to ameliorate and strongly suggest you consider quality over quantity
address the issue. Such proposals should be through as well as your nation’s perspective on the issue at
the lens of the nation or member state you are hand. For instance, a nation overseeing the active use
representing; thus, we expect to receive a variety of of children in the battlefield will most likely not be
perspectives within the research papers submitted to the most enthusiastic about regulations prohibiting
the committee. The stance on child soldiers varies such tactics. In short, be concise, logical, and aligned
by country—in other words, there should not be a with your assigned nation when proposing potential
unanimous condemnation of the use of children in solutions.
warfare. The dias strongly encourages all delegates to When conducting research for your position
stand by the viewpoints of their nation regardless of paper and country, prioritize documents published
personal beliefs. by official institutions and bodies such as the United
Position papers are typically divided into three Nations themselves. While this may seem obvious,
sections: a summation of the topic, the delegate’s many delegates turn to Wikipedia or other non-
nation’s position or beliefs on the topic, and credible sources such as blogs in order to write their
aforementioned proposals regarding potential paper and learn more about their nation. The benefits
solutions. While this is the traditional format, please are twofold: your paper will be of higher quality
use a flow that works best for you! Diverging from with regards to content and facts, and you will be
this structure will certainly not reflect negatively on using credible sources (perhaps published from your
you; so long as you are clear with the message of your assigned country itself) as a source of information
research and include all of the above in some manner, during debate, which is extremely hard to counter.
you have covered the basic aspects of the paper.
Additionally, we strongly prefer if you answer the CLOSING REMARKS
questions with asterisks in the QARMA (Questions
A Resolution Must Answer) section. In short, be sure Congratulations on reaching the end of this
to include whether your nation uses child soldiers in background guide! Hopefully, this guide provides you
the war zone, if child soldiers have been used in the with a foundation that you can build on when thinking
history of your nation, and any laws or regulations of potential solutions. This is a complex topic and
your nation has previously passed in order to address discussion in committee will involve nuanced debate
the issue of children used as agents of war. For the and compromises. That being said, I am certain that
last part, we would like you to choose a particular law, delegates will be able to formulate solutions that are
document, or regulation that exists (if one does) and versatile and that consider the individual situations of
expand upon it using 1-2 paragraphs. both developing and developed nations. Furthermore,
Since WorldMUN is an all-encompassing I hope that delegates will be able to learn from previous
conference, this may be your very first position paper. actions taken to prevent the use of child soldiers
Recognizing this, below are some suggestions you when proposing creative solutions that address the
may want to consider when writing and researching shortcomings of current and past regulations.
for your paper: I look forward to meeting you all and cannot wait
When demonstrating the significance of the topic, to see our committee in action. I am excited to see how
consider speaking from both a historical and current you will interact with other delegates and the kinds of
lens, as well as commenting on its magnitude; for collaborative proposals you will put forward. If you
example, you may provide a brief summary of your have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
nation’s past and current situation with the use of child Best of luck with your research, and I cannot wait to
soldiers, as well as its impact worldwide. Additionally, see you all at WorldMUN 2023!
using statistics may emphasize its effects and show the
reader why the issue is worth debating and discussing.
Having a strong introduction into the topic and your
nation’s stance can also serve as a platform on which
you can build a strong position paper.
18 Background Guide: Disarmament and International Security Committee
Harvard World Model United Nations 2023 19

ENDNOTES
1 https://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/disarmament-fora/unga
2 https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_veterans.asp
3 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/210802
4 https://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/six-grave-violations/child-soldiers/
5 https://www.un.org/en/model-united-nations/history-united-nations
6 https://www.britannica.com/topic/United-Nations-General-Assembly
7 https://www.un.org/en/ga/about/background.shtml
8 https://www.un.org/en/ga/first/
9 Ibid.
10 https://www.eda.admin.ch/dam/mission-new-york/en/documents/UN_GA__Final.pdf
11 https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N21/256/58/PDF/N2125658.pdf?OpenElement
12 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1472271/#:~:text=War%20destroys%20communities%20and%20families,in%20material%20and%20human%20capital.
13 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2080482/
14 https://www.savethechildren.org/us/about-us/media-and-news/2020-press-releases/25-children-killed-injured-in-conflicts-every-day
15 https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/war-ukraine-has-left-nearly-1000-children-killed-or-injured
16 https://www.unicef.org/protection/children-recruited-by-armed-forces#:~:text=Children%20become%20part%20of%20an,or%20to%20protect%20their%20communities.
17 https://www.savethechildren.org/us/charity-stories/child-soldiers
18 https://www.historyextra.com/period/first-world-war/how-children-used-warfare-fighting-child-soldiers/
19 Ibid.
20 https://medievalbritain.com/type/medieval-life/weapons/medieval-crossbow/
21 Ibid.
22 https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/occasions/christmas/little-drummer-boy-carol-wartime-history/
23 https://www.thehenryford.org/explore/blog/robert-hendershot-the-drummer-boy-of-the-rappahannock
24 https://www.usarmyjrotc.com/army-junior-rotc-program-overview/
25 https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29934965
26 https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/blog/2021/03/03/boy-soldiers-at-war#:~:text=From%20February%2018%2C%201943%2C%20all,Panzer%2DDivision%2C%20Hitler%20Jugend
27 https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/how-childrens-lives-changed-during-the-second-world-war
28 https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/forgotten-wolf-children-world-war-ii
29 https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/07/1122262
30 https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2022/10/13/us-cuts-military-funding-to-7-countries-for-use-of-child-soldiers/
31 https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2022/10/13/us-cuts-military-funding-to-7-countries-for-use-of-child-soldiers/
32 https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/conflict-ukraine
33 https://data.unhcr.org/en/situations/ukraine
34 https://www.npr.org/2022/08/24/1119202240/ukraine-russia-war-by-numbers
35 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30134421
36 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/02/ukrainian-children-used-as-human-shields-near-kyiv-say-witness-reports
37 https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=IV-11-b&chapter=4&clang=_en
38 https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/conflict-ethiopia
39 Ibid.
40 https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-tigray-war-has-seen-up-to-half-a-million-dead-from-violence-and/
41 https://theowp.org/the-recruitment-of-child-soldiers-by-the-tigray-peoples-liberation-front-in-ethiopia/
42 https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/yemen-crisis
43 https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/yemen-crisis#:~:text=Yemen%20remains%20one%20of%20the,including%20almost%2013%20million%20children
44 Ibid.
45 https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/militarized-childhood-report-houthis-recruitment-yemeni-children-during-war-february
46 Ibid.
47 https://www.npr.org/2022/04/19/1093516886/yemen-houthi-child-soldiers
48 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/16/houthis-continue-to-recruit-child-soldiers-despite-yemen-truce
49 https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/geneva_conventions_and_their_additional_protocols#:~:text=The%20Geneva%20Conventions%20are%20a
50 https://www.icrc.org/en/doc/war-and-law/treaties-customary-law/geneva-conventions/overview-geneva-conventions.htm
51 Ibid.
52 https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/documents/atrocity-crimes/Doc.33_GC-IV-EN.pdf
53 https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/documents/atrocity-crimes/Doc.34_AP-I-EN.pdf
54 https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-child
55 Ibid.
56 https://au.int/en/treaties/african-charter-rights-and-welfare-child
57 https://www.acerwc.africa/about-the-charter/
58 https://au.int/sites/default/files/treaties/36804-treaty-african_charter_on_rights_welfare_of_the_child.pdf
59 Ibid.
60 https://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/tools-for-action/opac/
61 https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/optional-protocol-convention-rights-child-involvement-children
62 https://www.stimson.org/2021/cspa-about/
63 https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/135981.pdf
64 https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/missing-peace/The%20psychological%20impact%20of%20child%20soldiering%20-%20Schauer.pdf
65 https://web.worldbank.org/archive/website00522/WEB/PDF/CPRNOTES.PDF
66 Ibid.
20 Background Guide: Disarmament and International Security Committee

67 Ibid.
68 https://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/tools-for-action/opac/

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