Speaking out for child soldiers

A former child soldier spoke today at the NAFSA: Association of International Educators convention in Washington, D.C. At the age of thirteen, Ishmael Beah found himself fighting in a devastating civil war in the African nation of Sierra Leone. UNICEF saved Beah after he saw two years of combat and helped to ease his transition back into society. Beah authored A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a child soldier. After his presentation, audience members were asked to reflect on Beah’s experiences and given the opportunity to suggest how to prevent children from being forced into combat.

Audience members were appreciative of Beah’s suggestion of increasing student interactions on an international level. Beah supports not only increasing the number of international students studying in the Untied States, but also increasing the number of American students studying in countries like Sierra Leone. Audience members agreed that these interactions would allow or greater understanding of cultural and political differences.

Audience members expressed their desire to increase awareness of child soldiers in Sierra Leone and throughout the world. In the year 2000, Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan estimated that approximately 300,000 children were involved in armed conflicts worldwide.

Foreigners make US more secure

International education’s importance to national security was discussed by foreign policy advisers to the three presidential candidates at a conference held by NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Advisers alluded to many foreign policy topics but the majority of the discussion centered on education. Advisers stressed the need to increase study abroad opportunities for American students.

Panelists said that increasing the number of international students studying in the United States would not only help to mend its image in the world but that increased international interactions would also help to maintain the United States’ security. Denis McDonough of Obama for America said that drawn out background checks cause the United States to be viewed as unfriendly and withdrawn.

Richard Fontaine of John McCain for President explained Sen. McCain’s (R-Ariz.) proposal to mandate study abroad programs for students at the United States’s military academies. Fontaine noted the lack of knowledge within the US military of languages like Arabic and Pashto. Mara Rudman of Hillary for President said that a grasp of other cultures is critical, adding that President Bush and Sen. McCain have failed in the past to fully understand Iraq.