Panos Media Toolkit on Communicating Research, No. 2, From soldier to civilian: the challenge of reintegration.

Abstract

Armed conflict is an all too familiar theme for journalists in many parts of Africa and Asia. But reporting on war's aftermath and the reintegration of demobilised soldiers gets much less attention.

This briefing for journalists emphasises that the process of reintegrating former fighters into society is essential to building long-term peace. It cites contrasting examples of successes and failures: disabled ex-soldiers in Rwanda who have set up a scrap metal business, and demobilised paramilitaries in Colombia operating as private security gangs.

It provides advice on how journalists can talk to academics to find out more about reintegration issues. And it emphasises that by engaging with research, journalists can ensure a broader range of views are fed into debates about the way forward for post-conflict societies.

Citation

Media Toolkit on Communicating Research No. 2, Panos London, London, UK, 6 pp.

Panos Media Toolkit on Communicating Research, No. 2, From soldier to civilian: the challenge of reintegration.

Published 1 January 2006