Childsplay
There are currently over 300,000 children, some as young as 8, participating in armed conflicts across the world. In addition to this, many thousands more are enrolled in armed forces in countries not currently at war. In the last ten years children and young people have participated in over thirty armed conflicts, and many more are still fighting.
In war situations, both boys and girls are used by government and guerrilla forces for a number of different purposes; they might be fighting on the front line, sent on reconnaissance missions, used as cooks, messengers, sex slaves or spies.
While the concept of the child soldier is frequently associated with the developing world, and sometimes dismissed for that reason, the use of children in conflict can also be seen in countries closer to home.
The ‘Childsplay’ project uses a large floor puzzle, to explore the relationship between children and conflict. The project highlights the situation in countries such as Northern Uganda and East Timor (Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste), but also asks questions about Northern Ireland.
For example, the use of children as stone throwers in rioting at interface areas and also the recruitment of children and young people into paramilitary organisations. In addition to this, the project examines the role of young people in the British Army.
‘Childsplay’ was designed over three residentials by a group of twenty young people from WAVE, British Red Cross and the Spirit of Enniskillen—it is currently available for use in schools as a peer education resource
