On 21 May, the Managing Exits from Armed Conflict (MEAC) project provided a briefing to members of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC). This session shed light on emerging findings from MEAC’s ongoing participatory research with conflict-affected children and youth in Iraq and Nigeria. The discussion also delved into MEAC’s research on child recruitment by armed groups and the reintegration prospects for children post-association.
The significance of this briefing lies in its response to a critical gap in current approaches to supporting conflict-affected children and youth. Engagement with youth in programming often remains extractive and tokenistic, with the experiences and needs of young people interpreted through the lens of adult researchers and practitioners. MEAC, a pioneer in employing participatory multi-method approaches to policy research, remains steadfast in amplifying the voices and perspectives of those most marginalized, especially children and youth impacted by conflict. Integral to MEAC’s mission are ongoing initiatives to shift the paradigm in how the international community engages with conflict-affected children and youth.
To this end, MEAC and its partners are pioneering a tripartite global programme across Nigeria, Iraq, and Colombia. This ongoing intervention encompasses participatory research, artistic expression, and socio-emotional processing tailored to equip children and youth with photography and research skills, confidence, and the space to process their experiences. This programme also aims to elevate youth voices into policymaking discussions, ensuring they are part of global conversations at the United Nations in New York.
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