This publication seeks to better understand the realities facing boys and girls who “volunteer” for participation in armed conflict, highlighting personal, socio-economic and political factors that motivate their decisions to participate. It is based on in-depth interviews with young soldiers and ex-soldiers from around the world, including the conflict situations in Afghanistan, Colombia, the Congo, Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

See also:

• an oral statement submitted to the 60th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights,
• a written statement submitted to the 60th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, and
• This paper presented at a conference of the Spanish Red Cross