YANG Yun Jung, an Assistant Professor, reflects on her journey towards researching children’s human rights in conflict zones, inspired by the belief that ‘all men are created equal under the law’. This ideal sparked her childhood aspiration to become a lawyer, notably influenced by Ishmael Beah’s harrowing experiences as a child soldier in Sierra Leone. Although initially aimed at law school, a seminar in her third year pivoted her focus to the scholarly impact of child soldiers, steering her towards a career in political science concentrating on human rights issues during wartime.
Focusing on the reintegration challenges faced by ex-child soldiers, her research evolved to investigate the root causes of their recruitment into armed groups. Although existing studies examine the issue from the child’s perspective, she aims to highlight the motivations behind armed groups’ use of children. Her recent work delves into how external aid and international regulations influence these groups’ decisions, shifting focus from the children themselves to the context and conditions that facilitate their mobilisation in conflict zones.
Currently, she is compiling a comprehensive dataset on child soldiers, supported by a research grant. Recognising gaps in existing data, she aims to monitor trends over time, assess how children are mobilised, and pinpoint the locations of recruitment. Despite the tedious nature of this undertaking, she remains committed to improving research methodologies to better understand and address this pressing issue.
While it seems daunting to imagine a world without child soldiers, the challenge lies in the seductive appeal of using youth in warfare and the systemic issues that perpetuate their involvement. The historical precedent of child soldier recruitment stretches back to ancient societies, and persistently continues in modern conflicts. Nevertheless, exploring the reasons behind this phenomenon from a myriad of perspectives could pave the way for effective protective measures and reintegration strategies for affected youth.
YANG Yun Jung, an Assistant Professor and political scientist, explores the human rights of children in conflict zones, focusing on the systemic factors influencing the recruitment of child soldiers. After initially researching reintegration issues, her work now examines the motivations of armed groups and aims to create a comprehensive dataset on child soldiers. She believes that ongoing research is crucial for developing strategies to protect children and improve their reintegration into society.
YANG Yun Jung’s research highlights the complex interplay between child soldiers and the armed groups that recruit them, focusing on broader systemic issues that perpetuate this cycle. By establishing a robust dataset and engaging with international discourse, she hopes to shine a light on the urgent need to protect children in conflict zones and to contribute meaningfully to the development of effective solutions in this field. Understanding that this area requires more scholarly attention, especially from an Asian perspective, she aspires to inspire future research that brings awareness and change.
Original Source: www.waseda.jp
