Child Researchin Palestine
Mona SandbækNOVA – Norwegian Social Research
Background
• Contact between AlQuds and NOVA was established in 2000, through Childwatch International
• A follow-up workshop took place in Oslo, 2003
• Application submitted to NUFU in 2003
• The project ”Child Research in Palestine” funded 2004-2007
• Building research capacity and sustainable structures
• Initiating and finalising sub-projects
• Networking; local, regional and international level
• MENA network of child researchers in the Middle East and North Africa region
Core activities
King Hussein foundation - Information and Research Center
• Violence against children – 2004 and Safety of Children on roads, at home, at school
• The UN Study on Violence Against Children – Regional follow up Consultation in Egypt 2005
• Childhoods, Child Research in the Middle East and North Africa region – Oslo 2005
• Arab Research Network 2006
- Research study on Female genitale Mutilation in villages east of Nile in Minia
- Child labour – A child Rights’ perspective
• Children’s perspectives on citizenship
• Palestinian adolescents’ perception of their well-being
• Exposure of Palestinian students to Israeli political violence
• Male violence against family members duringthe Intifada
• Audit of child institutions in Palestine
• Children in Conflict with the law
Research projects
Political realities reflected in research
• 3 of 4 Palestinian children exposed to violence + a high number suffering from PTSD (Exposure of Palestinian students to Israeli Political Violence)
• Rights to being free and able to live in peace and security (Children’s rights)
• Feelings of rage and hatred, emotional expression of hostility and sadness (Emotional well-being)
Children’s perspectives on rights, responsibilites and citizenship
• Autonomy; food, friends, TV
• Respect: from parents and teachers
• To be heard and express their views
• Gender equality
• Also aware of their responsibilities
• Optimistic about their future and a sense of self-worth
Research finding for further research and action
• The political situation
• Living conditions and poverty
• Rights, cfr UN CRC
• Generational issues
• Gender equality