Newsletter #16 – Reclaiming Childhood, Reclaiming Future
Trust After Betrayal
Innovating development & security in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. Understanding interpersonal trust-building.
In this email release, we've rebranded the newsletter as the Corioli Institute Newsletter—the official publication of the Research and Action NGO that grew out of the Trust After Betrayal project. Stay connected for future updates by following the Corioli Institute LinkedIn page!
Dear Reader,
We hope you had a happy and relaxing end to the summer. We’re excited to return with a fresh look, now rebranded from Trust After Betrayal project at LSE to the Corioli Institute that emerged from it. As we expand the Institute and advance various projects around the world, our team is also growing. We’re pleased to introduce Elayna Whiteman, who has shared a brief bio at the end of this email. Elayna initially joined us as a Summer Fellow and now supports our social media strategy.
Elayna proposed the idea for this month’s Research Brief, which focuses on the education of former child soldiers, an extremely relevant topic in?our field that we hadn't covered yet. Currently, an estimated 200,000 child soldiers, both boys and girls, many if them focibly recruited, are found in over 20 countries. When these children demobilize, they often find themselves trapped in the dual roles of both victim and perpetrator – survivors of violence and abuse, yet burdened by the stigma of their former involvement with armed groups. For them, education – whether formal or vocational – offers not only a path to economic stability in civilian life but also a vital chance to reclaim their childhood, gain knowledge, and build a positive future, identity, and recognition within their communities.
However, more frequently than not,?significant practical challenges comrpromise the education of former child soldiers within the environments they reintegrate into. These challenges often stem from programing shortfalls, limited resources and the lingering burdens of the past, affecting both the individuals themselves?and their communities' perception of them. In our typical hands-on approach, we explore these obstacles and offer practical insights into removing the social, financial, and psychological barriers that hinder former child soldiers from realizing their right to education.
As always, we would love to hear your feedback on the topic and whether we’ve covered all the key points. You can share your thoughts by replying to this email.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you’d like to support our work, you can now donate any amount through our Donor Box?page, using a variety of payment methods. Your contributions are greatly appreciated. ?
Jonathan R?ders Research Lead, Corioli Institute
Research Brief: The Role of Education in?Child Soldier Reintegration
This edition's Research Brief explores the crucial role of education in reintegrating former child soldiers, highlighting the challenges and complexities involved. Financial constraints, psychological trauma, and community rejection often hinder this process. Education?is essential for providing these children with the skills needed for self-sufficiency and reducing their risk of re-engaging in violence. The brief outlines actionable strategies for creating more effective transitions into education, better community-oriented programing, mental health and psychosocial support as well as more efficient funding and resource allocation.?trustafterbetrayal.org/researchbriefs
Global Affairs: From Weapons to Books and Tools
DRC: Stigma and Societal Identity of Female Ex-Child Soldiers
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), girls make up 30-40% of child soldiers, yet they are vastly underrepresented in reintegration programs, accounting for only 8% of participants. This gap stems from the unique challenges girls face, often overlooked due to their roles as domestic workers or self-demobilizing without support. Upon return, they face intense stigma, labeled as "having known men" or "prostitutes," leading to exclusion from community life and education.
After enduring violence and isolation, these girls need support to heal. Instead, many are met with suspicion and rejection, causing deep emotional suffering. This often drives them to withdraw, rebel, or even return to armed groups. To combat this, Child Soldiers International recommends reducing stigma by involving girls in community service and public activities. Such engagement rebuilds trust and acceptance, countering discrimination and proving their value. Community leaders are encouraged to invite girls to participate in sports, youth groups, or religious choirs, with visible roles in public service, such as helping with events or caring for children, further breaking down barriers.
Education and vocational training are crucial in helping girls rebuild their identities. Schooling not only provides academic knowledge but also a path to redemption in the eyes of their communities. However, stigma and financial barriers often prevent girls from returning to school. Child Soldiers International advocates for sensitizing families to the importance of education and finding ways to reduce costs, such as free or reduced-fee enrollment.
Vocational training and income-generating activities (IGAs) offer alternative paths for older girls to regain financial independence and improve their social standing. IGAs like tailoring or small businesses enable girls to contribute to their families’ income, fostering acceptance. Success depends on careful planning, with NGOs and community groups helping guide decisions. Training in business management and accounting is essential, along with ongoing support for at least six months.
In rural areas, agriculture and small animal husbandry provide sustainable economic opportunities. Many girls already work in farming, and providing tools, seeds, or animals can improve their financial independence and standing in the community. These programs are particularly suited to conflict-affected regions with limited market opportunities and benefit entire communities by enhancing agricultural production.
These educational and vocational efforts, supported by ongoing community involvement, are essential for helping girls overcome stigma and rejection?and reclaim a sense of belonging. Through these integrated interventions, female ex-child soldiers in the DRC and elsewhere can rebuild their lives, regain their social value, and reclaim their rightful place within their communities.
领英推荐
Read more:
Sierra Leone: Sustainable Education Funding as a Critical Factor
In 1990, on the eve of Sierra Leone’s Civil War, school enrollment stood at roughly 50%. Burdened by school fees at both the primary and secondary levels, education was out of reach for many. During the war, thousands of children were coerced or voluntarily enlisted in armed factions such as the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), leaving a generation’s education in disarray. ? In the aftermath of the conflict, Sierra Leone made efforts to address the educational needs of these former child soldiers. Key among these efforts were two legislative acts: the Free Primary Education Policy and the Education Act of 2004. These initiatives eliminated school fees and mandated that all children complete basic education.
Complementary programs, like UNICEF's Community Education Investment Program (CEIP), further reduced barriers by covering the cost of uniforms and textbooks. Together, these measures increased primary school enrollment to 69%, with notable improvements across primary, secondary, and even tertiary levels. While gross enrollment ratios remained modest, they marked a substantial increase, and around 80% of students passed the National Primary School Examination, despite the tripling of exam takers. ?
Yet, these gains proved fragile. When CEIP funding ended in 2005, financial barriers resurfaced, causing many students to drop out. School material costs alone averaged around 10% of the 2004 gross national income per capita (USD 210), a burden too heavy for many families and hence a lost opportunity for many of Sierra Leone's ex-child soldiers. While national programs that removed fees and enforced attendance were pivotal in expanding educational access, the persistence of financial obstacles highlights the need for better allocation of resources and more sustainable forms of aid.
Read more:
Past Activities
In August,?President &?Chair Erin McFee and Director of Projects and Programs Connor Christensen represented the Corioli Institute at the 2024 Military Life Cycle and Transition Summit?by the Office of Military-Affiliated Communities (OMAC) at the Unviersity of Chicago. They presented findings from Coriioli's year-long participatory project on veteran reintegration in Ukraine, which will culminate in a report with policy recommendations that will be released in due course.
Over the summer, the Corioli Institute launched its first Summer Fellows Program, welcoming 11 outstanding students and young professionals from diverse backgrounds. Over 10 weeks, these Fellows contributed to our Research and Action projects in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. They focused on key issues like climate change, migration, peacebuilding, and the reintegration of formerly armed actors, while gaining valuable experience in the non-profit sector and making significant contributions to the Institute's work.
In June,?President & Chair?Erin McFee,?appeared on the "Wisdom of Crowds" podcast, recorded live at the Aspen Ideas Festival. Joined by Yale University Dean and Philosophy Professor Tamar Gendler, and host Sam Kimbriel, Erin explored the intricate topic of forgiveness – its true meaning, its inherent value, and whether it can at times conflict with justice.?
In June, Corioli Institute President & Chair Erin McFee and Research Lead Jonathan R?ders organized?a writing workshop with fellow researchers of the Violence Security and Peace (VSP)?Network at Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.?
This collaboration will result in three working papers on trust-building, peacebuilding, and violence reduction, to be released early next year. Moreover, at the 2024 Latin American Studies Association (LASA) Congress, Erin presented her research on "The Role of Horizontal and Vertical Trust in the Era of 'Total Peace' in Colombia," drawing from recent data collected with formerly armed actors in the country.
Meet our Team: Elayna Whiteman
"Hello! My name is Elayna Whiteman, and I joined the Corioli Institute as a fellow in the summer of 2024. I am currently in my third year at the University of Chicago, where I’m triple majoring in Human Rights, Public Policy Studies, and Economics. I hope to pursue a law degree and practice human rights law in the future.
As someone whose family fled Sri Lanka due to political violence and persecution, the opportunity to contribute to research on community reintegration and rebuilding was deeply personal and one I couldn’t pass up. My passion for history, human rights, and public policy aligned perfectly with my work as a 2024 Fellow, where I conducted qualitative and quantitative analyses of survey data for the Institute’s Colombia/Mexico project.
I am excited to continue my involvement as a fundraising and social media intern to support the Institute’s critical research and policy initiatives. Outside of work and school, you’ll find me hiking and exploring national parks. I also enjoy painting and drawing while catching up on my favorite TV shows."