Listening to Iraqi refugee children in Jordan, but then what? Exploring the impact of participatory research with children

Abstract

Following the American-led invasion of Iraq, thousands of Iraqis fled to Jordan and the international donor community initiated humanitarian assistance. Through a unique partnership, three organisations conducted participatory research with Iraqi children and their families in Amman. The goal was to understand children's lived experiences – their challenges and coping strategies – with a specific focus on child protection. A better understanding of local context had an immediate, positive impact on organisations and their effectiveness, but long-term change proved elusive. The authors explore the potential for participatory research to transform programming and the obstacles to institutionalising change.

Écouter les enfants réfugiés irakiens en Jordanie, mais après ? Explorer l'impact de la recherche participative avec les enfants

Après l'invasion de l'Irak lancée par les États-Unis, des milliers d'Irakiens se sont enfuis en Jordanie et la communauté internationale des bailleurs de fonds a mis en route une assistance humanitaire. À travers un partenariat unique, trois organisations ont mené des recherches participatives avec les enfants irakiens et leurs familles respectives à Amman. Le but était de comprendre les expériences vécues par les enfants – leurs défis et leurs stratégies d'adaptation – en se concentrant précisément sur la protection des enfants. Une meilleure compréhension du contexte local a eu un impact immédiat et positif sur les organisations et leur efficacité, mais le changement à long terme s'est révélé difficile à atteindre. Les auteurs examinent le potentiel pour la recherche participative de transformer la programmation et les obstacles à l'institutionnalisation du changement.

Ouvindo as crianças refugiadas do Iraque na Jordânia, mas e depois? Explorando o impacto da pesquisa participativa com crianças

Após a invasão do Iraque coordenada pelos norte-americanos, milhares de iraquianos fugiram para a Jordânia e a comunidade doadora internacional iniciou a assistência humanitária. Através de uma parceria exclusiva, três organizações conduziram uma pesquisa participativa com crianças iraquianas e suas famílias em Amman. O objetivo era compreender as experiências vividas das crianças – seus desafios e estratégias de lidar com a situação – com um enfoque específico na proteção infantil. Uma melhor compreensão do contexto local teve um impacto imediato e positivo sobre as organizações e sua efetividade, mas a mudança no longo prazo mostrou-se difícil. As autoras exploram o potencial para a pesquisa participativa transformar os programas adotados e os obstáculos para institucionalizar as mudanças.

¿Qué sigue tras escuchar a los niños y niñas iraquíes refugiados en Jordania? Análisis de los resultados de una investigación participativa con niños y niñas

Tras la invasión de Estados Unidos a Irak, miles de iraquíes se refugiaron en Jordania y la comunidad internacional de donantes comenzó a proporcionar ayuda humanitaria. Tres organizaciones concertaron un acuerdo específico para realizar una investigación participativa con niños y niñas iraquíes y sus familias en Amán. El objetivo era comprender las vivencias de la niñez, sus desafíos y qué hicieron para enfrentarlos, centrándose en la protección de la niñez. El hecho de comprender mejor el contexto local repercutió de forma inmediata y positiva en las organizaciones y en la eficacia de su trabajo, pero no se produjeron cambios a largo plazo. Los autores examinan el potencial de la investigación participativa para la transformación de programas y los obstáculos que existen para transformar las instituciones.

Keywords:

• Rights
• Arab States Aid - Aid effectiveness
• Civil society - Participation
• Conflict and reconstruction
• Gender and diversity - Youth

Notes

For the 2007/08 school year, the Jordanian Ministry of Education reported 20,600 Iraqi students enrolled in public schools and 4,000 in private schools.

The authors interviewed the following project participants via Skype calls during September and October, 2011.

Although the research process was led by IICRD team members, Jordanian and Iraqi adults were trained as researchers and led sessions with children and families whenever possible.

The authors interviewed the following: Karishma Budhdev, former deputy director, RI-SOL; Angelita Caredda, former country director, RI-SOL; Jason Erb, former deputy director for emergency programs, SC; Nadine Haddad, child protection specialist, SC; and Deema Jarrar, emergency education officer, UNICEF. CIDA staff declined interviews.

Researchers observed that in families where sons had been killed in Iraq, boys were treated in the same highly protective manner as girls.

For example, participation is one of the core principles of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings.

As reported by one of the IICRD researchers and authors of this article.

The former deputy director of RI-SOL still participates in the education coordination group, but on behalf of a different INGO.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Martha Nelems

Martha Nelems is an independent consultant in the field of children's rights, and an associate of the Columbia Group for Children in Adversity. She currently lives in Tunis, Tunisia.

Vanessa Currie

Vanessa Currie is a child protection and participation consultant with the International Institute for Child Rights and Development as well as an associate with the Columbia Group for Children in Adversity. She lives in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. <[email protected]>