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Courtesy of Lese Dunton
Since 1998, Michael Douglas has been a United Nations Messenger of Peace, and in 2003, he made a documentary with the UN titled Child Soldiers in Sierra Leone. It has since become very popular with social studies students and is available on DVD.
In the film, brave young fighters reunite with their families and adjust to life after the 10-year civil war in their country. Mr. Douglas helps successfully locate the family of one of the children. Said one observer, “He handled the entire scene—which was not scripted and which unfolded with unbelievable rapidity in a few hours—with great sensitivity and diplomatic, artistic skill.”
Michael also talks with a group of former child combatants about their experiences and hopes for the future; and conducts an excellent in-depth interview with a teenager named Swankey, who is now a radio announcer.
The film is a positive message and puts in perspective the issue of child soldiers.
— Michael Douglas
“The film is a positive message and puts in perspective the issue of child soldiers,” said Michael.
During his stay in Sierra Leone, Michael visited various locations and saw the UN peacekeepers, citizens and soldiers rebuilding communities.
Courtesy of Lese Dunton
Post-war improvements include renovating mosques and churches, developing a health clinic and children’s playground, and restructuring a community center.
“The positive spirit of the people and their resourcefulness and energy are very visible…I am hopeful for the future of Sierra Leone,” says Douglas.
On his last day in the country, the messenger man of peace was taken on a tour of the site where weapons had been collected and burned as part of the post-war disarmament process conducted by the UN. Michael has been a strong advocate on disarmament issues (nuclear as well as small arms).
The Child Soldiers of Sierra Leone is part of a series called “What’s Going On?,” which originally aired on Showtime Television.
This story is modified from the original in The New Sun. Lese Dunton is the founder of The New Sun, on online publication since 1994, which “seeks to find the best in life and give it good coverage.”
