MISSION
The mission of Child Soldier Relief (CSR) is to advocate on behalf of child soldiers by serving as a central repository of information on all topics relating to the topic of child soldiers. CSR researchers gather, analyze and report on relevant news, publications, legislation, treaties, events, and media, including films, books, documentaries, television shows, for dissemination on the CSR website to advance four basic goals:
- To inform the public of child soldier issues and news
- To encourage discussion, feedback and dialogue on any relevant topic
- To bring together organizations and individuals working to aid former child soldiers
- To establish an archive of information, media, news relating to child soldier issues
THE TEAM
FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Christine Williams is an urban warfare specialist who worked as an instructor and analyst during the Afghanistan and the Iraq wars from 2002 to 2006. Concerned with the effect of war on children as well as the exploitation of children in global armed conflicts, she is now working to provide resources for former child soldiers, governments and private organizations as well as to increase awareness on the effect of armed conflict on children.
After graduating from Columbia University with a Master of Science in Urban Planning in 2001, where Christine won the Gitelson/Meyerowitz Human Rights Award from the Center for the Study of Human Rights and the Charles Abrams award for Best Thesis for her graduate thesis, Christine worked with the Center for International Earth Science Information Network and IFPRI – The International Food Policy Research Institute. Before Columbia, she worked at Harvard University for the Center for Urban Development Studies.
DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH PROJECTS Kate Davey is Co-founder of findingDulcinea.com, a free educational and reference website, where she worked since August 2006. Prior to that, Kate worked for The International Criminal Court in The Hague, The Netherlands, where she focused on legal research and news analysis. Kate has also worked as a reporter for The Branford Review and performed research for the Center for the Study of the Presidency. Kate has a B.A. in Political Science from Providence College and a Masters in International Human Rights Law from the National University of Ireland, Galway. Her thesis focused on the need for Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration programs specific to the needs of former girl child soldiers.
LEGAL INTERN AND DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH, DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATION Sarah Pierce is a law student at the University of Iowa College of Law. In the past she has interned for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, Common Ground, and the Comisión Española de Ayuda al Refugiado in Madrid, Spain. In the summer of 2009 she worked for the Women’s Rights Division of Human Rights Watch in London. Sarah has a B.A. in English and Spanish from Grinnell College. Her senior thesis focused on international legislation on child soldiers.
INTERN Kendall Lawrence is from Seattle, Washington and is a sophomore at American University in Washington D.C. at the School of International Service with an area study in Africa and a focus in Peace and Conflict Resolution. She has been interested in the issue of child soldiers since her senior year in high school when she wrote her thesis on child soldier rehabilitation. Recently she wrote a research proposal dealing with Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration programs. During the summer she works as a camp counselor for 13-18 year olds traveling in Europe. She is currently spending the semester abroad in Nairobi, Kenya this fall working with children.
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