Child Research in Palestine Mona Sandbæk NOVA – 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

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 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 during the 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