LSCI and the UN Child Rights Convention By LSCI Senior Trainer Stein Lied - Norway The six stages in LSCI, adapted and used in an emergency situation, with children affected and traumatized by tsunami, conflict and war in Sri Lanka

Background of Sri Lanka Mission Save the children Norway: Save the children Norway: - The Stand by team - 72 hour alert - UN (UNHCR) Save the Children in Sri Lanka: Implementation of UN Convention of child rights

Child Protection Advisor Advise Advise Supervise Supervise Teach & train Teach & train Report & evaluate Report & evaluate

Sri Lanka

Conflict and War

Conflict & War Singaleese & Tamils Singaleese & Tamils 1950’s:- Change of government - Discrimination 1950’s:- Change of government - Discrimination 1970’s:- Armed conflict 1970’s:- Armed conflict 2002:- Peace Agreement 2002:- Peace Agreement 2006:- Escalation of armed conflict 2006:- Escalation of armed conflict

Tsunami 2004:Tsunami hit east coast of SL 2004:Tsunami hit east coast of SL UN, INGO’s and NGO’s started emergency response and humanitarian work UN, INGO’s and NGO’s started emergency response and humanitarian work

SCiSL protection team in Vanni (Killinochchi & Mullaitivu Districts Children Clubs Children Clubs Village Committees Village Committees Reconstruction and relocation of villages Reconstruction and relocation of villages Construction of playgrounds Construction of playgrounds Schools Schools Child Soldiers (prevention & reintegation) Child Soldiers (prevention & reintegation) INDP’s INDP’s Authorities (Government, Tamil Tigers) Authorities (Government, Tamil Tigers)

Child Rights Programming Survival & Development Participation Best interest Non Discriminati o

The Arial Attack 450 girls gathered in a camp (former children's home) 450 girls gathered in a camp (former children's home) Focus on protection in emergency, womens awareness. Focus on protection in emergency, womens awareness. Camp attacked by airplanes Camp attacked by airplanes 126 killed 126 killed 140 severed injured & hospitalized 140 severed injured & hospitalized Huge population of children traumatized Huge population of children traumatized

The Arial Attack

Working with traumatized children affected by the air attack Training of local SCiSL staff: Training of local SCiSL staff: Basic intro to LSCI - foundations Basic intro to LSCI - foundations Communication skills Communication skills The six LSCI stages The six LSCI stages Development of action plan Development of action plan

The Action Plan Gathering the girls that were directly affected by the air attack (not physically injured) Gathering the girls that were directly affected by the air attack (not physically injured) Gathering of children indirectly affected by the air attack Gathering of children indirectly affected by the air attack Using the six LSCI stages Using the six LSCI stages

Actions

Drain off & Timeline Feelings: Feelings: Shock Shock Fears Fears Anger Anger Helplessness Helplessness Sadness Sadness Shame Shame Guilt Guilt

Drain off & Timeline Effects on behavior: Effects on behavior: Tension (nervousness) Tension (nervousness) Sleep disturbances, dreams & nightmares Sleep disturbances, dreams & nightmares Memories & feelings - Flashbacks Memories & feelings - Flashbacks Irritability Irritability Depression Depression Social Withdrawal Social Withdrawal Physical Sensations Physical Sensations

Drain off & Timeline Behavior: Behavior: Not going to school Not going to school Not being with friends Not being with friends No joyful playing activities No joyful playing activities Being at home staying close to the bunker Being at home staying close to the bunker

The bunker

Central Issue & Innsight The vital interest: The vital interest: To go to school To go to school To meet with friends To meet with friends To interact in the community To interact in the community

Central Issue & Insight Coping with trauma: Coping with trauma: Myth: Children panic Myth: Children panic Children can not look after themselves Children can not look after themselves Too much information is bad Too much information is bad Children are too young to be affected Children are too young to be affected If children don’t crack up they’re not affected If children don’t crack up they’re not affected Communities never recover from disaster Communities never recover from disaster

New Skills Learning how to cope with trauma: Learning how to cope with trauma: Talk about incidents Talk about incidents Recreational activities Recreational activities Safe play areas Safe play areas Role play, play therapy, arts, music etc. Role play, play therapy, arts, music etc.

Coping with trauma

Transfer of training Action plan: Action plan: Support each other going to school Support each other going to school Visit injured friends at home and in hospitals Visit injured friends at home and in hospitals Schedule meetings and play activities in the community centre and at Children Clubs Schedule meetings and play activities in the community centre and at Children Clubs Meetings with Village CR Committees Meetings with Village CR Committees

LSCI & Child Participation LSCI is an excellent method of exercising the children's right to participation. Participation transforms the power relations between children and adults and supports children’s capacity to influence and control their lives. LSCI is an excellent method of exercising the children's right to participation. Participation transforms the power relations between children and adults and supports children’s capacity to influence and control their lives.

LSCI & CRC According to the UN CRC children have the right to information, to have the opportunity to express views and feelings, to have their voices heard. Participation is a right, and by using LSCI we are helping them exercising this right. According to the UN CRC children have the right to information, to have the opportunity to express views and feelings, to have their voices heard. Participation is a right, and by using LSCI we are helping them exercising this right.

Evaluation of Experience When using the LSCI values and thinking, one involves children and youth in identifying their needs and issues as well as their strengths, and support them to express their feelings and opinions in order for them to take decisions and come up with solutions for their best interest. When using the LSCI values and thinking, one involves children and youth in identifying their needs and issues as well as their strengths, and support them to express their feelings and opinions in order for them to take decisions and come up with solutions for their best interest.

Thank you!