Call to end use of child soldiers

November the 20th is the Universal Children Day, a holiday for all kids around the world. Some politicians and experts gathering in Colombia are using the occasion to call attention to plight of child soldiers. They're appealing for strong action to halt recruitment globally.

Awich Pollar served as a child soldier in Uganda in the 1980s. He knows how difficult recovery is.

Awich Pollar, Children Rights Committee Member, said, "I have been in the armed conflict. It is not anything good. The war as I have seen it, it impacts on the child's growth in the future. Very few live to outgrow it like I think I have done. So, we should do everything that we can within our means to ensure that children don't get into this kind of situation."

Last year, as many as 8,000 children were still caught up in Colombia's four-decade-old conflict.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, had stepped up forced recruitment of children. A string of military defeats and scores of desertions had sapped their ranks.

Luis Eladio Perez, Colombian politician, former FARC hostage,said, "The greater majority of guerrilla members are young people, kids. I had guerrilla members guarding me that I don't think were even 11 or 12. Their rifles were bigger than they were."

To halt the use of children and young people by armed or criminal groups, Colombia hosted an international conference on Wednesday.

Colombian vice president Francisco Santos said, "We have to look at this as a whole, look at what transforms the recruitment issue into a social issue of bigger dimensions and the answers to prevent with a public policy that guarantees rights."

The problem is a major concern in many parts of the globe.

While many children are enjoying their childhood with their families, others struggle with violence and bombings.

Guns become the toys of a childhood cut short and perhaps twisted forever.