{"id":{"repo_id":"gmu","oai_identifier":"oai:MARS:1920/14455"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/gmu/oai:MARS:1920/14455","repository":{"repo_id":"gmu","name":"George Mason University","base_url":"https://mars.gmu.edu/server/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"Uncovering the Social Reintegration of Former Child Soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo","abstract":"This dissertation explores reintegration programs for former child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), emphasizing the roles of social identity, social capital, and children's rights to participation and agency as useful components of successful social reintegration. Using a narrative approach, the research delves into the experiences of former child soldiers, insights from community leaders, and contributions from national and international NGOs to reveal the multifaceted challenges of reintegration. While existing Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) programs in the DRC have made strides in disarmament and economic support, they often neglect necessary social dimensions such as stigma reduction, communal acceptance, and relational healing. This study centers on integrating cultural practices, including traditional cleansing rituals and community reconciliation ceremonies, into reintegration strategies. It underscores the importance of addressing family dynamics and fostering gender-sensitive approaches to support female child soldiers who face compounded stigma and marginalization. The research further advocates for community-led reconciliation processes, systemic governance reforms, and economic empowerment initiatives to create sustainable pathways for reintegration. Building on existing scholarship, this work offers a multidimensional framework tailored to the DRC’s unique sociocultural and political context. It bridges the gap between theory and practice, presenting actionable recommendations for improving DDR programs. By advancing a comprehensive and culturally responsive approach, this dissertation contributes to post-conflict recovery efforts, ensuring that reintegration programs holistically address the economic, social, and emotional needs of former child soldiers. This research not only critiques existing models but provides a forward-looking vision for achieving sustainable reintegration and societal healing in conflict-affected regions.","abstract_html":"This dissertation explores reintegration programs for former child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), emphasizing the roles of social identity, social capital, and children's rights to participation and agency as useful components of successful social reintegration. Using a narrative approach, the research delves into the experiences of former child soldiers, insights from community leaders, and contributions from national and international NGOs to reveal the multifaceted challenges of reintegration. While existing Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) programs in the DRC have made strides in disarmament and economic support, they often neglect necessary social dimensions such as stigma reduction, communal acceptance, and relational healing. This study centers on integrating cultural practices, including traditional cleansing rituals and community reconciliation ceremonies, into reintegration strategies. It underscores the importance of addressing family dynamics and fostering gender-sensitive approaches to support female child soldiers who face compounded stigma and marginalization. The research further advocates for community-led reconciliation processes, systemic governance reforms, and economic empowerment initiatives to create sustainable pathways for reintegration. Building on existing scholarship, this work offers a multidimensional framework tailored to the DRC’s unique sociocultural and political context. It bridges the gap between theory and practice, presenting actionable recommendations for improving DDR programs. By advancing a comprehensive and culturally responsive approach, this dissertation contributes to post-conflict recovery efforts, ensuring that reintegration programs holistically address the economic, social, and emotional needs of former child soldiers. This research not only critiques existing models but provides a forward-looking vision for achieving sustainable reintegration and societal healing in conflict-affected regions.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Lenou Tassigne, Romuald"],"institution":null,"degree_name":null,"degree_level":null,"degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2024,"date_issued":"2024","date_published":"2024","updated_at":"2026-07-27T19:51:56Z","subjects":["child soldiers reintegration","Conflict resolution","Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration","human rights","peacebuilding","post conflict recovery"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["hdl:1920/14455"],"render_values":[{"text":"hdl:1920/14455","href":null,"code":true}]}]},"links":{"outbound_url":null,"outbound_label":null,"outbound_source":null},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2024"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Dissertation"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["child soldiers reintegration","Conflict resolution","Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration","human rights","peacebuilding","post conflict recovery"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["hdl:1920/14455"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.other","label":"Dc Description Other","values":["This dissertation explores reintegration programs for former child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), emphasizing the roles of social identity, social capital, and children's rights to participation and agency as useful components of successful social reintegration. Using a narrative approach, the research delves into the experiences of former child soldiers, insights from community leaders, and contributions from national and international NGOs to reveal the multifaceted challenges of reintegration. While existing Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) programs in the DRC have made strides in disarmament and economic support, they often neglect necessary social dimensions such as stigma reduction, communal acceptance, and relational healing. This study centers on integrating cultural practices, including traditional cleansing rituals and community reconciliation ceremonies, into reintegration strategies. It underscores the importance of addressing family dynamics and fostering gender-sensitive approaches to support female child soldiers who face compounded stigma and marginalization. The research further advocates for community-led reconciliation processes, systemic governance reforms, and economic empowerment initiatives to create sustainable pathways for reintegration. Building on existing scholarship, this work offers a multidimensional framework tailored to the DRC’s unique sociocultural and political context. It bridges the gap between theory and practice, presenting actionable recommendations for improving DDR programs. By advancing a comprehensive and culturally responsive approach, this dissertation contributes to post-conflict recovery efforts, ensuring that reintegration programs holistically address the economic, social, and emotional needs of former child soldiers. This research not only critiques existing models but provides a forward-looking vision for achieving sustainable reintegration and societal healing in conflict-affected regions."]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Uncovering the Social Reintegration of Former Child Soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:date.issued":["2024"],"dc:description.other":["This dissertation explores reintegration programs for former child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), emphasizing the roles of social identity, social capital, and children's rights to participation and agency as useful components of successful social reintegration. Using a narrative approach, the research delves into the experiences of former child soldiers, insights from community leaders, and contributions from national and international NGOs to reveal the multifaceted challenges of reintegration. While existing Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) programs in the DRC have made strides in disarmament and economic support, they often neglect necessary social dimensions such as stigma reduction, communal acceptance, and relational healing. This study centers on integrating cultural practices, including traditional cleansing rituals and community reconciliation ceremonies, into reintegration strategies. It underscores the importance of addressing family dynamics and fostering gender-sensitive approaches to support female child soldiers who face compounded stigma and marginalization. The research further advocates for community-led reconciliation processes, systemic governance reforms, and economic empowerment initiatives to create sustainable pathways for reintegration. Building on existing scholarship, this work offers a multidimensional framework tailored to the DRC’s unique sociocultural and political context. It bridges the gap between theory and practice, presenting actionable recommendations for improving DDR programs. By advancing a comprehensive and culturally responsive approach, this dissertation contributes to post-conflict recovery efforts, ensuring that reintegration programs holistically address the economic, social, and emotional needs of former child soldiers. This research not only critiques existing models but provides a forward-looking vision for achieving sustainable reintegration and societal healing in conflict-affected regions."],"dc:identifier":["hdl:1920/14455"],"dc:subject":["child soldiers reintegration","Conflict resolution","Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration","human rights","peacebuilding","post conflict recovery"],"dc:title":["Uncovering the Social Reintegration of Former Child Soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo"],"dc:type":["Dissertation"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-27T19:51:56Z"}