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