Growing up on the Streets: building networks of knowledge exchange for delivering impact
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Dundee
Department Name: Geography
Abstract
Street children are perhaps one of the most visible signs of poverty and marginalization in urban environments, yet their rights are often not realized. Furthermore, street children lack formal representation placing them outside the arena of policy development. Not only do they face multi-faceted problems but as a group they are difficult to define. This is both in terms of their relationship to the street and their status as both victims and perpetrators of crime; their complexity is key to their elusiveness. In addition, street children's independent status positions them outside the realms of child protection which places children under the care of adults, often resulting in limited or no access to services without adult representation. Therefore they have been replaced on the international policy agenda by other vulnerable groups whose human rights violations are much more easily pinned down, such as victims of sexual exploitation or violence, raising fundamental questions around how street children's rights and needs are defined and by whom? However, participatory research is now becoming recognized as one of the more successful ways in which children's voices are beginning to be heard and this can be utilised to offer advice for the inclusion of street children in decision-making and policy development.
The aim of this project is therefore to address the policy gap for street children through research knowledge exchange (KE). An academic-practitioner collaborative research project called Growing up on the Streets was established in 2012 collecting longitudinal data over a three year period with 198 street children from three diverse African cities: Harare, Zimbabwe; Accra, Ghana; and Bukavu, DRC. In addition an innovative participatory approach has been adopted whereby street children are actively engaged in undertaking their own research, under the mentorship of street worker project managers, to explore their capabilities on the streets. The findings from the research forms the evidence-base for this KE project which seeks to bridge the gap between current legislation and political attitudes, and street children's realities. The KE project has seven objectives fulfilled over four phases. Phase 1 develops street young people's participation in the research process from inception to policy development. This aims to include street children's views as a regular part of service provision. Phase 2 develops practitioner participation and capacity through the development of workshops that disseminate key messages from the research as well as through establishing a peer network, initially across Africa, for practitioners to discuss and share through an online forum. This network aims to develop capacity and share best practice for the better provision of services to street children. Phase 3 builds on the others for specifically targeting the policy gap. A series of workshops/events in Africa and the UK, inviting Government agencies, UN members and other key stakeholders aims to raise awareness of the research findings, develop policy recommendations and seek to translate them into concrete actions. Public engagement also forms a key strategy for raising awareness for street children's rights. Finally phase 4 includes a process of reflective evaluation during all other phases to ensure their effectiveness.
The outcomes of the project seek to offer direct benefit: to street children, by involving them in data analysis and policy dialogue as well as creating NGO training for street children's inclusion in the research process from inception to policy development; to NGOs, by developing a network hub and face-to-face workshops for sharing best practice; and to policy stakeholders (Governments, Donors, International NGOs, UN agencies) through the translation of key messages from the research into policy recommendations with the potential to advocate for direct changes to national and international policy.
The aim of this project is therefore to address the policy gap for street children through research knowledge exchange (KE). An academic-practitioner collaborative research project called Growing up on the Streets was established in 2012 collecting longitudinal data over a three year period with 198 street children from three diverse African cities: Harare, Zimbabwe; Accra, Ghana; and Bukavu, DRC. In addition an innovative participatory approach has been adopted whereby street children are actively engaged in undertaking their own research, under the mentorship of street worker project managers, to explore their capabilities on the streets. The findings from the research forms the evidence-base for this KE project which seeks to bridge the gap between current legislation and political attitudes, and street children's realities. The KE project has seven objectives fulfilled over four phases. Phase 1 develops street young people's participation in the research process from inception to policy development. This aims to include street children's views as a regular part of service provision. Phase 2 develops practitioner participation and capacity through the development of workshops that disseminate key messages from the research as well as through establishing a peer network, initially across Africa, for practitioners to discuss and share through an online forum. This network aims to develop capacity and share best practice for the better provision of services to street children. Phase 3 builds on the others for specifically targeting the policy gap. A series of workshops/events in Africa and the UK, inviting Government agencies, UN members and other key stakeholders aims to raise awareness of the research findings, develop policy recommendations and seek to translate them into concrete actions. Public engagement also forms a key strategy for raising awareness for street children's rights. Finally phase 4 includes a process of reflective evaluation during all other phases to ensure their effectiveness.
The outcomes of the project seek to offer direct benefit: to street children, by involving them in data analysis and policy dialogue as well as creating NGO training for street children's inclusion in the research process from inception to policy development; to NGOs, by developing a network hub and face-to-face workshops for sharing best practice; and to policy stakeholders (Governments, Donors, International NGOs, UN agencies) through the translation of key messages from the research into policy recommendations with the potential to advocate for direct changes to national and international policy.
Planned Impact
Street children: Through phase 1 they will be given a voice in the process where they have been previously criminalised/ignored. This involves their participation in analyzing key messages emerging from the data. Further, the knowledge exchange (KE) activities will produce a better understanding of children's street realities and the support required to meet their basic needs and access their rights. This will create better opportunities for children's future lives through changes to policy and practice. The street researchers will also benefit from training in advanced engagement skills to enable them to present their own findings to NGOs, Governments and other stakeholders in workshops. These skills will be transferrable to other employment areas.
Practitioners: This group will be made up of NGOs, government agencies and other social welfare professionals. The training pack developed from training, undertaken in the research based on the innovative participatory methodology and the KE advanced engagement skills training, will benefit NGOs. It will ensure they are adequately prepared not only to do participatory research but to realize the value of children as experts on their own lives and, through using the training pack, more effectively include children in programme design and policy development. The peer network 'hub', as an on-going resource, will provide support for providing advice between African NGOs and street workers to share their own best practice as well as implement changes based on the findings of the research. This group will also benefit from key messages and their implications for practice as presented through briefing notes available freely to download online.
African and International policymakers: This includes Donors, NGOs, Governments and UN agencies. Through phase 2 (policy workshops) and phase 3 (All Party Parliamentary Group, Consortium for Street Children (CSC), and final KE events) the translation of key messages from the research will be developed into policy and practice recommendations through collaboration with stakeholders and could result in changes to policy. This will drive forward the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR, 2012) agenda for realizing street children's rights by improving their lives internationally, beyond Africa, through access to evidence-based policy and practice.
Public: Public members and school children in Dundee and London will have the opportunity to learn more about street children's lives through interactive exhibitions and a public lecture to raise the profile of the work and to ensure children and other members of the public are better informed about the lives of street children, their rights, realities and capabilities. Holding this around the International Day for Street Children will boost the attention the research receives in collaboration with other activities in the UK for greater awareness raising.
Academic beneficiaries: These include researchers, students and academics working in areas of interest to the research and achieved through KE activities, specifically the CSC conference and final event. They will benefit from learning about the innovative methodological approach adopted for the research and the longitudinal nature of the data collection (something not yet achieved with street children). This responds to the call within children's studies to move beyond exploring children's daily lives but to consider them more broadly over space and time. This will have significance for influencing broader urban theories (Ansell, 2009; Horton and Kraftl, 2006; Jones, 2011). The training, peer network and evaluation components of the KE application will expect to see changes to practice during the life of the project. Policy impact at an international level is more likely to be realised after the grant ends. The team's language skills mean policy documents can be produced in English and French to reach a wide audience.
Practitioners: This group will be made up of NGOs, government agencies and other social welfare professionals. The training pack developed from training, undertaken in the research based on the innovative participatory methodology and the KE advanced engagement skills training, will benefit NGOs. It will ensure they are adequately prepared not only to do participatory research but to realize the value of children as experts on their own lives and, through using the training pack, more effectively include children in programme design and policy development. The peer network 'hub', as an on-going resource, will provide support for providing advice between African NGOs and street workers to share their own best practice as well as implement changes based on the findings of the research. This group will also benefit from key messages and their implications for practice as presented through briefing notes available freely to download online.
African and International policymakers: This includes Donors, NGOs, Governments and UN agencies. Through phase 2 (policy workshops) and phase 3 (All Party Parliamentary Group, Consortium for Street Children (CSC), and final KE events) the translation of key messages from the research will be developed into policy and practice recommendations through collaboration with stakeholders and could result in changes to policy. This will drive forward the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR, 2012) agenda for realizing street children's rights by improving their lives internationally, beyond Africa, through access to evidence-based policy and practice.
Public: Public members and school children in Dundee and London will have the opportunity to learn more about street children's lives through interactive exhibitions and a public lecture to raise the profile of the work and to ensure children and other members of the public are better informed about the lives of street children, their rights, realities and capabilities. Holding this around the International Day for Street Children will boost the attention the research receives in collaboration with other activities in the UK for greater awareness raising.
Academic beneficiaries: These include researchers, students and academics working in areas of interest to the research and achieved through KE activities, specifically the CSC conference and final event. They will benefit from learning about the innovative methodological approach adopted for the research and the longitudinal nature of the data collection (something not yet achieved with street children). This responds to the call within children's studies to move beyond exploring children's daily lives but to consider them more broadly over space and time. This will have significance for influencing broader urban theories (Ansell, 2009; Horton and Kraftl, 2006; Jones, 2011). The training, peer network and evaluation components of the KE application will expect to see changes to practice during the life of the project. Policy impact at an international level is more likely to be realised after the grant ends. The team's language skills mean policy documents can be produced in English and French to reach a wide audience.
People |
ORCID iD |
Lorraine Van Blerk (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Bennett, J
(2016)
Growing up on the Streets Knowledge Exchange Training Pack
Hunter J
(2021)
The influence of peer relationships on young people's sexual health in Sub-Saharan African street contexts.
in Social science & medicine (1982)
Hunter J
(2020)
Learning on Harare's streets under COVID-19 lockdown: making a story map with street youth
in Environment and Urbanization
Shand W
(2016)
Labouring and Learning
Van Blerk L
(2020)
'Street citizenship': informal processes of engaging youth as citizens through research and knowledge exchange in three African cities
in Space and Polity
Van Blerk L
(2022)
Creating stories for impact: Co-producing knowledge with young people through story mapping
in Area
Van Blerk L
Research Principles and Conceptual Framework
Van Blerk L
(2016)
Methodological Approaches
Description | As a grant for knowledge exchange activity (rather than research), this grant helped us to achieve the following key impacts: 1. DEVELOPMENT OF THE GROWING UP ON THE STREETS TRAINING PACK designed to engage young people in dialogue and knowledge exchange. This has led to new understandings around children's voices, youth citizenship and youth engagement. It was central to international consultations for the UN COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD, in preparation of the General Comment on Children in Street Situations which will be ratified in 2017 - the Growing up on the Streets network participated in the Africa consultations and the Training Pack was used to engage children and youth in Africa and in other parts of the world, embedding children's voices in the policy process and recognizing the capabilities of street children. The consultations were run by the CONSORTIUM FOR STREET CHILDREN in an international collaboration in which young people were co-producers in international policy. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF A PEER NETWORK OF NGOs working with street children and youth (across Africa and also beyond) to engage young people in decision making and to support the development of projects and programmes. Involvement in Knowledge Exchange events has had a radical effect on the practitioners involved who have transformed the way they relate to street children and youth, even though they were already experienced in the field. Please see Briefing Paper 6: Voices of Street Children and Youth. 3. DEVELOPED AWARENESS AMONG MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. In public engagement with adults and children in a variety of sectors in the UK including schools and open events highlighting the issues faced by street children in these arenas. The schools materials are now used by StreetInvest (NGO) for outreach. 4. ENGAGEMENT DIALOGUE BETWEEN STREET CHILDREN AND YOUTH, NGOs AND GOVERNMENTS. A diverse range of stakeholders (NGOs, local government, welfare services, the police, etc) took part in knowledge exchange events in each of the three project cities: Accra, Ghana, Bukavu, DRC and Harare, Zimbabwe, interacting with the research findings and the participants. The training and knowledge exchange events demonstrated that young people can make a positive contribution to their communities and facilitate change in their own lives, through their involvement in the co-production of policy recommendations and actions for implementation. They became articulate spokespeople, communicating their needs and those of their peers and changing attitudes towards the popular discourse that positions street children as lacking agency. In both Accra and Harare several of the young people who participated in knowledge exchange training are now embedded as street workers in NGOs (Chance for Children, Street Empowerment Trust), further utilising and developing their skills. |
Exploitation Route | The research findings and outputs can be used in the following ways: TO INFLUENCE AND DEVELOP POLICY AT NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL around poverty and street children that best supports their needs. Knowledge exchange meetings continue to be held - led by our local NGO partners. THE UN UNCRC'S GENERAL COMMENT ON CHILDREN IN STREET SITUATIONS will have a profound impact on how street children and youth are perceived and treated - the UNCRC will continue to promote the rights of street children. TO DEVELOP NEW AND INNOVATIVE METHODOLOGIES FOR WORKING WITH MARGINALISED YOUNG PEOPLE through participant involvement in analysis and developing meaningful messages that accurately reflect their lives. Initial workshops took place in Accra in September 2016 - to be replicated by local NGO partners elsewhere. ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION SHARING ACROSS PROJECTS AND COUNTRIES, THROUGH THE AFRICAN PEER NETWORK. Discussions are ongoing between practitioners alongside street children and youth, with the findings and training used in their work - Managed by StreetInvest. SCHOOLS PROGRAMME - taken up by StreetInvest and rolled out across more schools in the UK. This is helping to raise awareness and educate children regarding the issues faced globally. CSC (NETWORK OF 80 MEMBERS IN 130 COUNTRIES) have explicitly stated they will continue to use the Knowledge Exchange Training Pack in their work. |
Sectors | Education Government Democracy and Justice Other |
URL | http://www.streetinvest.org/guots |
Description | The findings and KE outputs have already been used in the following ways: • ENGAGING YOUNG PEOPLE IN DIALOGUE AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE using the Growing up on the Streets Training Pack. Published in January 2016, the pack was used to support youth participation in the STREET CHILD GAMES and STREET CHILD CONGRESS in Rio de Janeiro in March 2016 (contributing to the formulation of the Rio Resolution) and in knowledge exchange activities with hundreds of children in 18 countries leading up to these events. In February and March 2016 the Training Pack was used in international consultations by the CONSORTIUM FOR STREET CHILDREN (CSC) for the UN COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD, involving 1044 street-connected children with 110 NGOs. Additionally, CSC built on the Training Pack in developing materials to communicate to its network of 80 members working in 130 countries ideas to engage children and young people in their own submissions to the UN Committee. In April 2016, again in Brazil, the pack was used with 450 children at the NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD AND ADOLESCENT, in preparation of the National Policy and Decennial plan for the Rights of Children. The training pack is currently being used to inform youth-led research on protracted crises for DFID's youth strategy. • KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE EVENTS INVOLVING BOTH STREET CHILDREN AND YOUTH AND STAKEHOLDERS in three African cities. In June, July and September 2015 and July 2016 in Accra (Ghana), Bukavu (DRC), Harare (Zimbabwe), street children and youth engaged in training (using the Growing up on the Streets Training Pack) followed by Knowledge Exchange events with key local stakeholders, including the police, government, judiciary, social work, schools, churches, social organisations, charities, NGOs, and the media. Workshop discussion about project findings with street youth in Arusha, Tanzania (10 February 2016), • POLICY ENGAGEMENT AND AWARENESS RAISING EVENTS AMONG MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN THE UK INCLUDING SCHOOL CHILDREN. Knowledge exchange events involving 201 children and 15 teachers were held in May and October 2015 and January 2016 in Dundee and London. Public engagement has included the Dundee Arts Café Lecture (6 October 2015), In December 2015 was awarded the prestigious Market Research Society President's Medal, and we have presented the project to its members (21 April 2016). • NEW UNDERSTANDINGS AROUND CHILDREN'S VOICES, YOUTH CITIZENSHIP AND YOUTH ENGAGEMENT. Meetings and events have been held with policy makers and NGOS interested in engaging with the research and in seeking ways to utilise both outputs and methodologies in their youth strategies. Engagement events include 'Poverty and Youth in Africa: Socio-Economic Challenges and Policy Responses' (Chatham House, London, 27 November 2015), All Party Parliamentary Groups on Street Children and on Human Rights (28 October 2015), International Knowledge Exchange conference (21 January 2016), as well as various meetings with DFID, Consortium for Street Children (CSC), UNICEF. • EXPERT CONSULTATION to the UN General Comment on Street Children was facilitated by the policy briefings and research findings. The UN General Comment was launched in July 2017. The research and University of Dundee's major contribution to this policy was acknowledged in the cover of the documentation. • ACADEMIC IMPACT has been achieved through keynote lectures, including the Social & Cultural Geography Keynote lecture RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2015 (including to the Royal Geographical Society in August 2016, and the Young Lives conference in September 2016) and publications in press. |
First Year Of Impact | 2017 |
Sector | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Government, Democracy and Justice,Other |
Impact Types | Societal Policy & public services |
Description | APPG on Human Rights and Street Children |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Description | Consortium for Street Children's Expert Advocacy Forum (CSC is a body involving over 80 international NGOs) includes the Growing up on the Streets Knowledge Exchange Training Pack in their Advocacy and Action Guide: making a rights a reality for street-connected children. Nov-18 |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
URL | https://www.streetchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Advocacy-and-Action-Guide_Digital.pdf |
Description | Consultant Expert to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child General Comment on Street Children |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
Description | During a visit to Bukavu (DRC), GUOTS Research Directors met with the Regional Minister of Health (Sud-Kivu, DRC) who is now using French-translated Growing up on the Streets findings to develop health services for girls on the street 17-May-18 |
Geographic Reach | Africa |
Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
Description | Growing up on the Streets Knowledge Exchange Training Pack is part of StreetInvest's 'Street Champions' programme which aims to strengthen the role of street children as advocates in their own right, and to support them in engaging with key decision-makers. - Ongoing |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Description | Growing up on the Streets Stakeholder Consultation Workshop, Department of Social Welfare, Accra 31-Oct-2018 |
Geographic Reach | Africa |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Description | Growing up on the Streets was part of Consortium for Street Children's Joint Submission to the UN Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty, highlighting street children and youth's specific experiences of police round ups and institutionalisation. 19-Sep-2018 |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Description | Growing up on the Streets, StreetInvest, Consortium for Street Children meeting with Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Accra, Ghana |
Geographic Reach | Africa |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Description | University of Dundee Stephen Fry Public Engagement Award |
Amount | £1,500 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Dundee |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2017 |
End | 08/2017 |
Title | Growing up on the Streets: Research with and for young people on the streets, 2012-2016 |
Description | van Blerk, L., Shand, W., Shanahan, P., Hunter, J. Growing up on the Streets: Research with and for young people on the streets, 2012-2016. Study number: 854123. [Data Collection]. Colchester, Essex: UK Data Service. https://dx.doi.org/10.5255/UKDA-SN-854123 |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Currently two PhD students are doing their PhDs from the data set and a fellowship programme was established to facilities ECR from African Universities to work with the data set and write publications. One paper has been accepted. |
URL | https://dx.doi.org/10.5255/UKDA-SN-854123 |
Description | UN General Comment on Street Children |
Organisation | Consortium for Street Children |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | I was invited as an Expert Consultant to speak to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child Working Group for input into the drafting of the General Comment on Children in Street Situations (Geneva, 18 January 2016). In addition, in February and March 2016, 203 of our research participants contributed to the development of the UN General Comment policy. We ran 18 focus groups on rights, six in each of the three cities in which we work (Accra, Ghana; Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo; and Harare, Zimbabwe). |
Collaborator Contribution | The partners provided funds to run the consultations (through a successful application to Comic Relief) and will help to write the final report form the Consultations. They will then submit the report along with those from consultations with young people in other parts of the world to the UN Committee for inclusion into the General Comment on Children in Street Situations. They provided the access and funds for my speech at the UN in Geneva. |
Impact | The report 'Africa Consultation Report for the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's General Comment on Children in Street Situations February - March 2016' was published in May 2016 for the Committee on the Rights of the Child. The UN General Comment will be ratified in 2017. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | 'Street Champions' took part in global advocacy events to mark the International Day for Street Children 12 April 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Growing up on the Streets' charity partner StreetInvest developed a 'Street Champions' programme to strengthen the role of street children as advocates in their own right, and to support them in engaging with key decision-makers. The training programme draws on the Growing up on the Streets Knowledge Exchange Training Pack, while focus group discussions will utilise a capability approach similar to the GUOTS methodology. Having received training, over 50 Street Champions took part in global advocacy events to celebrate the International Day for Street Children 12 April 2019 in, Kenya, Ghana and India. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.streetinvest.org/blog/be-their-champion-international-day-street-children-2019 |
Description | 18th International Medical Geography Symposium in Queenstown, New Zealand |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | 4-Jul-2019 Presented 'Health, Space and Relationships for Children and Youth in African Street Contexts' at the 18th International Medical Geography Symposium in Queenstown, New Zealand |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | 3-Aug-2020 and 25-Nov-20 CRFR Blog (Centre for Research on Families and Relationships): In the Shadow of a Pandemic: Harare's Street Youth Experience COVID-19 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | A blog distributed to academics and practitioners working in Scotland and internationally with particular interest in children, families and young people. It described the process of making the story map and what life was like under lockdown for young people living on the street of Harare. 25-Nov-20 CRFR re-circulated recent blog posts with 'In the Shadow of a Pandemic' at the top of the list to: crfrmailinglist@mlist.is.ed.ac.uk |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | http://crfrblog.blogspot.com/2020/08/in-shadow-of-pandemic-harares-street.html |
Description | 7-Dec-20 ExChange: Community of Practice, School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University republished the CRFR blog. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A blog distributed to academics and practitioners working in Wales and internationally with particular interest in children, families and young people. It described the process of making the story map and what life was like under lockdown for young people living on the street of Harare. The blog appears on their Exchange Wales website: https://www.exchangewales.org/family-community/family-community-blog |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.exchangewales.org/in-the-shadow-of-a-pandemic-harares-street-youth-covid-19-experience |
Description | 9-Sep-20 The Conversation article: Young people living on Harare's streets provide glimpses into life under COVID-19 lockdown September 9, 2020 4.25pm BST |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | An article internationally describing making the story map and what life was like under lockdown for young people living on the street of Harare. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/young-people-living-on-harares-streets-provide-glimpses-into-life-under-... |
Description | APPG Street Children have Rights Too: Street Children and Youth's Experiences of Violence from Police and State Authorities in Three African Cities |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Street Children have Rights Too: Street Children and Youth's Experiences of Violence from Police and State Authorities in Three African Cities Wednesday 28th October, 5:30pm-7:00pm, Committee Room 18, House of Commons Background information This meeting will consider the findings from the Growing up on the Streets research project that relate to State violence against street children and youth in Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe. Growing up on the Streets is a unique project because it is longitudinal, having followed street children and youth over three years, and because of its emphasis on children's participation. 198 street children and youth have participated directly in the research that has been conducted about them. In addition, 6 street youth have been trained as researchers in basic ethnographic methods and meet weekly with local project managers to provide a commentary on their lives and those of other young people in their networks. Weekly meetings are supplemented by quarterly focus groups providing an opportunity for more in-depth discussions and involving a wider number of street children and youth. The project was developed to examine and better understand the lives of, and conditions affecting, young people living on the street and in informal settlements. The aim of this project is to build an extensive and authoritative evidence base from which to inform and influence street child policy and practice based on street children and youth's own experiences, opinions and priorities. The research is supported by CSC member StreetInvest with the University of Dundee as the lead academic partner. The Growing up on the Streets research project was introduced to Parliamentarians at an APPG on Street Children meeting in June 2014. Objectives of this meeting: • As a joint meeting between the APPG on Human Rights and the APPG on Street Children, to position the challenges that street children face as human rights and social justice issues within Parliament. • To get the FCO, DfID and UK Parliamentarians more engaged on issues of State violence and street children. • To find a Parliamentary champion to continue taking these related issues forward. • To ensure street children and youth's voices are heard on issues of State violence. Arrivals and registration 5:30-5:35pm Welcome and Introduction 5:35-5:40pm Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer Street children are one of the most marginalised groups in societies across the world. They experience multiple deprivations of their rights on a daily basis, but violence is one of the most persistent. Almost every street-connected child will experience physical and/or psychological violence routinely - violence at the hands of other street children, adults in the community and often from those in a position of authority who should be protecting them, such as the police. Growing up on the Streets has collected data from 198 street children and youth over three years. This meeting will consider the findings of this data specifically related to State violence against street children in Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe. This data will be invaluable to all those working to ensure that street children can realise their rights. Street children are a complex group to address at policy levels and this project illuminates street children's own experiences, opinions and priorities - something that will prove invaluable to those policy-makers and practitioners who make use of it. Presentation: Introduction to Growing Up On the Streets 5:40-5:50pm Dr Wayne Shand, Co-Research Director of Growing up on the Streets and the University of Manchester Biography: Wayne has worked in economic development and urban management for over 20 years and is currently a consultant and a Research Fellow at the University of Manchester's Institute for Development Policy and Management. Wayne will provide a brief overview of Growing up on the Streets, explaining the objectives of the research, its participatory methodology and introduce the Knowledge Exchange element of the project, which has trained street youth to engage in dialogue with government official and NGOs. Wayne will highlight the issue of children's rights and the challenges faced by street children and youth in accessing their rights. Presentation: Street children's experiences of violence 5:50-6:05pm Dr Lorraine van Blerk, Co-Research Director of Growing up on the Streets and the University of Dundee Biography: Lorraine has conducted research with African street children for over 15 years and has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles and two books. She seeks to inform policy makers and practitioners of the rights and realities of street children and most importantly to provide a platform for their voices to be heard. Dr Lorraine van Blerk is the Chair of the Consortium for Street Children's Research Expert Forum. Lorraine will present the most recent findings from the Growing up on the Streets project in relation to street children and youth's experience of violence at the hands of the Police and other State bodies. These findings highlight the engrained nature of violence and the experience of street children and youth of mistreatment and abuse by police and other state authorities. Street children's voices from Accra, Bukavu and Harare 6:05-6:15pm Dr Lorraine van Blerk Adding to the research evidence, Lorraine will share five recent examples of violence experienced by street children and youth, recorded specifically for the APPG meeting by young Research Assistants from across the three cities. These were recorded in September 2015. Voice recordings of these statements will be played at this point. Discussion Session 6:10-6:40pm Dr Sarah Thomas de Benitez would like to make a statement on the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's General Comment on Children in Street Situations. The General Comment will be a pivotal moment in the street children international policy sector and the evidence from the Growing up on the Streets project can support this by linking its evidence to such wider international policy developments. Questions to kick-start the discussion, if needed: • In countries where there is limited respect for the rule of law, how can police violence against street children be prevented? • Street children face huge levels of stigma and discrimination from the police (and others in the community), how can this be overcome to help reduce the levels of violence against street children? • How can the findings from Growing up on the Streets inform DfID and FCO policies/ways of working with street children? And how can Parliamentarians support this? Close 6:40-6:45pm Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer Street children are an exceptionally marginalised group, experiencing extreme violations of their rights. The Growing up on the Streets project has gathered data that explicitly highlights the direct experiences of violence that street children face on a daily basis, often from those in positions of power and who should be protecting their rights. As Parliamentarians in the UK and practitioners working around the world, we can support the Growing up on the Streets project to promote its findings and encourage their use in the development of policies and programmes around the world. Calls to action: • As Parliamentarians and practitioners, we commit to greater inclusion of the voices of street children and youth in the design of services and to promoting use of the Growing up on the Streets data to policy-makers, donors and other NGOs. • We call on DfID and the FCO to attend the Growing up on the Streets January Conference to engage in debate with practitioners, donors and international agencies on addressing the needs of street children and youth. • We call on DfID to make a submission to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's call for evidence for the UN General Comment on Children in Street Situations Networking 6:45-7:00pm |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Bukavu Research Assistant participated at the International Summit on the Legal Rights of Street-Connected Children and Youth, (The American Bar Association Commission on Homelessness & Poverty and Litigation Section's Children's Rights Litigation Committee) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | One of the project Research Assistants, a street youth from Bukavu DRC, participated on the panel of two seminars at this international summit. The aim was to bring together more than 100 experts and young delegates to discuss Comment No. 21 on street children, which aims to provide more guidance to States Parties to the Convention on Human Rights of the Child when it comes to treating children in street situations. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_services/homelessness_poverty/events_cle/saopaulo2017/mate... |
Description | Chair (LvB) of panel discussion 'Resilience and sexual abuse and exploitation in the context of the street', Consortium for Street Children Research Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The debate 'Resilience and sexual abuse and exploitation in the context of the street', is part of a wider deabte around the concept of resilience and it's use in teh context of street children and youth. The project team also published a briefing paper on the topic in time for the conference. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Chatham House debate: Poverty and Youth in Africa: Socio-Economic Challenges and Policy Responses |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Title: Poverty and Youth in Africa: Socio-Economic Challenges and Policy Responses Speakers: Dr Wayne Shand and Lili Harris Discussant: Allan Kiwanuka Panellists: Patrick Shanahan, Dr Lorraine van Blerk, Sharon Goulds, Rocco Blume Chair: Gita Honwana Welch Date/Time: 27 November 2015 17:00 - 18:30 45-50 people attended this debate from a mixture of busines, policy and NGOs (list of organisations below). 1 Africa Educational Trust 2 Afroculture 3 ARC Charity (Gambia based) 4 Barclays 5 BDO LLP 6 BP 7 British Black Anti Poverty Network 8 Chatham House 9 Children's Radio Foundation 10 De Beers 11 Department for Business Innovation and Skills 12 Herrie Gibbs Limited 13 JCI UK 14 Kays Foundation 15 Make Me Aware Project 16 Metropolitan Police 17 National Youth Agency, Mozambique 18 OSF 19 PDF UK Chapter 20 Plan UK 21 Platts, McGraw Hill Financial 22 Quantum Power Services 23 Rise Up 24 Save the Children 25 Shell 26 Social Development Direct 27 South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust 28 Teach First 29 Think Africa Press 30 University of Buckingham 31 Vision in Practice 32 WILPF UK 33 Win Win Solutuions for Africa 34 Womens and childrens NGO 35 XN Foundation 36 Radicaus UK 37 Youth Sport Trust |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Consortium for Street Children (CSC) used The Knowledge Exchange Training Pack in Global consultations for the United Nations General Comment on Children in Street Situations |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | 69 NGOs used Training Pack to engage 370 street-connected children and young people from 32 countries CSC also built on the Training Pack to communicate to its network of 80 members working in 130 countries A further 674 children and young people were consulted in an additional 8 countries by 41 different NGOs. Further details are included in this letter from CSC: 10th October 2016 Growing up on the Streets Training Pack Dear Professor van Blerk, I am writing to express the Consortium for Street Children's (CSC) high regard for the Growing up on the Streets (GUOTS) Knowledge Exchange Training Pack. This Training Pack has been invaluable to the Consortium for Street Children (CSC) in 2016. CSC has used the Training Pack to support our ongoing work with the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child to develop their forthcoming General Comment on Children in Street Situations. Between February and April 2016 CSC brought together 370 street-connected children and young people from 32 countries to take part in 7 national, regional and international consultation events in Belgium, Brazil, India, Mexico, Ghana, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In preparation for and during these events, representatives from 69 different NGOs built on and developed exercises from the GUOTS Training Pack to engage participants in games, activities and workshops. Building on the practical guidance provided by the Training Pack, the children and young people involved were encouraged to explore and build understanding of their rights and as a result were able to share experiences of their lives on the streets. Their participation in this process has meant that street-connected children and young people have contributed to and informed the General Comment - a much-needed legal instrument at the highest level. In addition, CSC built on the Training Pack in developing materials to communicate to its network of 80 members working in 130 countries ideas to engage children and young people in their own submissions to the UN Committee. A further 674 children and young people were consulted in an additional 8 countries by 41 different NGOs. A list of all the submissions to the UN Committee appears on the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights' website here. Street children are one of the most marginalised groups in the world and are often forgotten in national and international policy agendas. This consultation process for the General Comment has therefore been an excellent opportunity for street-connected children and young people to directly inform international policy. The combined efforts of CSC, our members and using the GUOTS Knowledge Exchange Training Pack has ensured that the largest number of beneficiaries to ever participate in the development of a General Comment are street-connected children. I am confident that the Knowledge Exchange Training Pack will be used by CSC and our network in the years to come. Yours sincerely, Dr Sarah Thomas de Benitez CEO, Consortium for Street Children Chair to the advisory group to the working group for the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's General Comment on Children in Street Situations |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | https://docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=http://www.streetchildrenresources.org/wp-content/upload... |
Description | Engagement event held 08-Feb-19 at Barnes Primary School, London, using GUOTS knowledge exchange material to inform children about children who are homeless |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Engagement event held at Barnes Primary School, London, using GUOTS knowledge exchange material and spanning four activities: (1) Where would I sleep? Finding somewhere safe and comfortable to sleep is very difficult for street children. Build a shelter using the materials and test it out! (2) Who can help me? Surviving alone on the streets, it's difficult for street children to find adults they can turn to for help. Use the cards to decide who you would turn to - when you ask for help, what will they say? (3) What would I eat? Street children find it hard to eat properly, have no money for food and often have to search in bins for something to eat. Find your dinner from the waste food from the bins - but don't really eat it! (4) Where in the world might I be? Street children live all over the world. Place coloured dots on our giant maps - where do you think street children live? |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Engagement event held 12- May-17 at Barnes Primary School, London, using GUOTS knowledge exchange material to inform children about children who are homeless |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Engagement event held at Barnes Primary School, London, using GUOTS knowledge exchange material and spanning four activities: (1) Where would I sleep? Finding somewhere safe and comfortable to sleep is very difficult for street children. Build a shelter using the materials and test it out! (2) Who can help me? Surviving alone on the streets, it's difficult for street children to find adults they can turn to for help. Use the cards to decide who you would turn to - when you ask for help, what will they say? (3) What would I eat? Street children find it hard to eat properly, have no money for food and often have to search in bins for something to eat. Find your dinner from the waste food from the bins - but don't really eat it! (4) Where in the world might I be? Street children live all over the world. Place coloured dots on our giant maps - where do you think street children live? |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Engaging young people in research, presentation at CSC's Annual Research Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
Results and Impact | Professor van Blerk presented on Engaging young people in research based on experiences related to this project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Expert Consultation to the UNCRC Working Group for the General Comment on Children in Street Situations |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Professor van Blerk gave an expert presentation to the panel. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | GUOTS Project Findings and Policy Contributions: Key Issues and Solutions Workshop, Harare, Zimbabwe, 6 December 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Practitioners from various NGOs and the Department of Social Welfare met to discuss the project findings, specifically around Meeting Basic Needs, Reducing Risks and Supporting Resilience, making 17 recomendations and commitments which include an audit of service providers and greater collaboration in a multi sectoral approach to working with young people living on the streets. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | GUOTS Training Pack used at Street Child Games and Congress to create 2016 Rio Resolution |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | The Growing up on the Streets Knowledge Exchange Training Pack was used at Street Child Games and Congress to create the 2016 Rio Resolution. More details of how it was used at the eevent and by 100s more street-connected young people supported by around 25 organisations from 18 countries are detailsed in this letter from Street Child United: 30th November 2015 I am writing to thank StreetInvest for your support, through the Growing up on the Streets Knowledge Exchange programme, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). This programme resonates with Street Child United and its partners and we are delighted to benefit from this initiative, which supports street children and youth to recognise the value of their own experiences, to understand that they are experts on street life, and to develop their role as spokespeople. The Knowledge Exchange training pack will be used to support our partners as they prepare for the Street Child Games, which will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in March 2016. This event will unite up to 100 former street children from 18 countries to take part in Olympic-themed sports, a festival of arts and the Street Child Congress. The Street Child Congress will be a global forum for street children to lead the discussion and action on the challenges they face and the rights they are routinely denied. The Congress will focus on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and be designed on the basics of a model UN-style event, and will enable each young person to become a delegate for the rights of street children in an impactful way. The outcomes will include individual children's statements, country-specific resolutions and declarations on specific themes. In advance of the Congress, we are committed to supporting the young people who will be taking part to prepare to engage with a wide range of stakeholders. In particular we aim to build their confidence and communication skills so that they can meaningfully participate in the meeting on 19 March at which they will present their statements to government officials, UN representatives, NGOs, and the global media. They will also be able to act as effective advocates within their own countries on their return home from the Street Child Games. We anticipate that prior to the Congress, hundreds more street-connected young people supported by around 25 organisations from 18 countries will benefit from the resources, participating in Knowledge Exchange activities alongside the young people who will be travelling to Rio. We also look forward to our continued discussions regarding further Knowledge Exchange activities at the event itself. We would be grateful if you would pass on our thanks to the Research Directors who have been responsible for developing the programme: • F. Patrick Shanahan, Research Director of Growing Up On the Streets and co-Founder of StreetInvest • Dr Wayne Shand, Research Director of Growing Up On the Streets and Research Fellow at the University of Manchester's Institute for Development Policy and Management. • Dr Lorraine van Blerk, Research Director of Growing Up on The Streets and Reader in Human Geography, University of Dundee Yours sincerely, Karin Joseph International Participation Manager, Street Child United |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Growing up on the Streets Knowledge Exchange Workshop, Harare, Zimbabwe 23 July 2015 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Targeted at practitioners / frontline staff and is delivered as a training session (4-5 hours). Session could be structured around (i) the importance / benefit of engaging street children in research and service planning. (ii) ethnographic methods of understanding the street. (iii) Training for policy dialogue - building confidence and efficacy of young people. The emphasis for frontline staff being materials and approaches that make their job easier / more impactful. 28 attendees from organisations: Street Empowerment Trust Growing up on the Streets (6 research assistants/street youth) St Vincent de Paul Society, Catholic Sacred Heart Cathedral, Harare Scripture Union Volunteers for Vulnerable Children Aids Counselling Trust (ACT) Childline Zimbabwe Volunteer Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) - Belgium Cesvi Jesuit Office of the Youth and Young Adults Zambuko House for Children; Refuge and Rehabilitation Centre for Marginalized Youth Oasis Zimbabwe Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative (REPSSI) Africa Street Youth Ministries (ASYM) Anglican Cathedral Oasis Zimbabwe Just Children Foundation |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Growing up on the Streets Research Training Workshop for NGO Practitioners in Accra, Ghana |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Targeted at practitioners / frontline staff and delivered as a training session (4-5 hours). Session structured around (i) the importance / benefit of engaging street children in research and service planning. (ii) ethnographic methods of understanding the street. (iii) Training for policy dialogue - building confidence and efficacy of young people. The emphasis for frontline staff being materials and approaches that make their job easier / more impactful. 13 practitioners took part from the following organisations took part as well as 6 street children and youth and 3 street workers. Chance for Children Urban Poor Child Organisation (UPCO) Street Girls Aid Kinder Paradise Catholic Action for Street children (CAS) Scripture Union Muslim Family Counselling Services (MFCS)/StreetInvest Assemblies of God Relief and Development Services (AGREDS) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Growing up on the Streets Research Training Workshop for NGO Practitioners, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Key non state actors were invited to this workshop, which included: - Intro to the research, origins, places, methodology - Intro of the 10 "capabilities" - presentations from street youth on "freedom of movement", "shelter" and "food". Organisations and sectors: FSH ONG - ECL défense des droits / Enfants soldats Caucus de Femmes pour la Paix ONG - Défense des droits Pères Blancs/Missionnaires d'Afrique Institutions religieuses Ecole primaire Murhi Education Comité Marché Nyawera Authorités locales Coordination Prov. Écoles conventionnées protestantes / SK Education UNICEF Agence UN - Enfance et famille War Child Holland ONG - actions périphérie Bukavu Salésiens / Don Bosco Institutions religieuses - Centres pour enfants en situations difficiles Soeurs Missionaires N.D d'Afrique Soutien au populations défavorisées Comité Marché de Kadutu Authorités locales BVES asbl ONG locale - Enfants soldats et EDR Fondation Panzi / projet Badilika ONG locale Parlement d'Enfants Authorités locales Centre Olame Soutien femmes/familles et devt rural Centre Ek'Abana Soutien jeunes filles et enfants en situation difficile CICR Bukavu ONG - Humanitaire/Défense des droits PAM Agence UN - Nourriture PNUD Agence UN - Developpement CAMS/BDOM Institutions religieuses - Santé Radio Mandeleo Media |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Growing up on the Streets Research Workshop Service provider / donor meeting, Accra, Ghana |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
Results and Impact | Targeted at governmental and donor organisations and senior NGO managers. A 3 - 4 hour workshop discussion structured about (i) the voices of young people in policy development and (ii) specific issues / needs in each city. A thematic approach to the workshop that (i) draws the top 5 issues arising from the research in each city. (ii) Testament from street youth on the specific issue. (iii) Discussion that explored how current policy / approaches address each issue and what this could mean for policy. We have two unique contributions that should emphasise - the data and the research assistants/street youth. Organisations attended: Curious Minds (GBC Radio) The Salvation Army Department of Children UNICEF (The United Nations Children's Fund) People's Dialogue Street Girls Aid Department of Social Welfare |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Growing up on the Streets Research Workshop Service provider / donor meeting, Harare, Zimbabwe |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
Results and Impact | The situation of street children and youth in Harare can be particularly challenging and this event gathered organisations for the first time to meet and discuss with street youth the top 5 issues arising from the research, the voices of young people in policy development. Organisation: Childline Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Plan International Zimbabwe Republic Police (Ministry of Home Affairs) IES, University of Zimbabwe International Youth Foundation Childline Zimbabwe SET |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Helen Veitch, Oak Fellow on Children's Participation in Preventing Sexual Violence, used Growing up on the Streets as an example of good practice on partnerships between NGOs and academia |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 31-Oct-19: Helen Veitch, Oak Fellow on Children's Participation in Preventing Sexual Violence, used Growing up on the Streets as an example of good practice on partnerships between NGOs and academia in her presentation to the staff team at the International Centre: researching child sexual exploitation, violence and trafficking - at the University of Bedfordshire. She then submitted the presentation to the senior leadership team at the International Centre. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | International Knowledge Exchange Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A varied agenda engaged street work practitioners and campaigners from African, India, the UK. This was followed at the end of the day by a lecture and debate open to member of the public. Thursday 21 January Amnesty International Human Rights Action Centre, 25 New Inn Yard, London EC2A 3EA. Programme 9.30 - 10.00 Arrival and Registration 10.00 - 10.20 Introductions 10.20 - 10.45 Background to Growing up on the Streets (WS) 10.45 - 11.15 Launch of the Knowledge Exchange Training Pack (LvB) 11.15 - 12.30 Workshop 1 - Participation and Research 12.30 - 1.30 Lunch and Networking 1.30 - 1.50 A Challenge to Practitioners (PS) 1.50 - 3.00 Workshop 2 - Meeting the Challenge of Street Work 3.00 - 3.15 Wrap up and Close 3.15 - 4.00 Refreshments 4.00 - 5.30 Public Lecture and Q&A 5.30 - 6.30 Wine Reception |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Jan-21 Consortium for Street Children highlighted the Harare story map, the E&U article and the CRFR blog in their Covid-19 Resources listings sent to their global partners |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Consortium for Street Children produced a listing of key Covid-19 Resources for their practitioner members internationally which highlighted the Harare story map, the associated E&U article and the CRFR blog. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.streetchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Covid-19-resources.docx.pdf |
Description | Keynote Lecture - Contemporary Childhood Conference 2018, 'Children in Space, Place and Time', School of Education at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. 6-Sep-2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | International audience of academics and practitioners. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/schoolofeducation/newsevents/contemporarychildhoodconference2018 |
Description | Keynote Lecture at the African Childhood Trauma Conference at the Children's Institute in Cape Town, South Africa |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 19/21-Aug-19 LvB Keynote at the African Childhood Trauma Conference at the Children's Institute in Cape Town, South Africa |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Keynote lecture, University of Loughborough |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The keynote address was the 2017 Children,Youth and Families Annual Lecture at the University of Loughborough. The talk stimulated discussion and questions which challenged current thinking among the audience. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Knowledge Echange Training Pack used with participants at the Xth National Conference Of Children's and Teenagers' Rights in Brazil |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | The KE Training pack was adapted and translated into Portuguese for use at this event. Clenir who organised the event explains the background: I represent Lifewords Brazil at CONANDA. It is the National Council for the rights of children and adolescents (in Brazil children are up to 11 and adolescents are up to 18) - CONANDA is a permanent collegiate body of deliberative character and joint composition provided for in article 88 of the law No. 8,069/90 - Statute of the child and adolescent (ECA). This is linked to the Special Secretariat for Human Rights of the Ministry of Women, Racial Equality and human rights. It was created by law no 8242, 12 October 1991 and is the body responsible for making effective the rights, principles and guidelines contained in the ECA, law No. 8069, of 13 July 1990. CONANDA prioritizes the social participation of children and adolescents in their regular activities, encouraging their participation in assemblies, meetings, seminars, conferences and other events, such as participatory rights subjects of their own history, through elected representatives from each State and the Federal District, covering the diversity while respecting the ethnic clipping, race , color, ethnicity and gender. But we are still learning how to do it effectively. CONANDA holds the responsibility of the National Conference on the rights of the child and adolescent (X CNDCA). It will have national scope as well as the guidelines, reports, documents and motions approved. The CNDCA has deliberative character and will present a set of proposals which will fund the establishment and implementation of the policy and the decennial plan of the human rights of children and adolescents, from the strengthening of the rights of children and adolescents by the municipalities, by the States, the Federal District and by the Union, in the context of the construction of the National Policy of human rights of children and Adolescents, covering especially popular participation, the Federal cooperation and inter-institutional collaboration scheme. At all stages of the X CNDCA should debate prioritize quality, ensuring the democratic process, respect Federal autonomy for the plurality and the representativeness of the social segments, within a broad and systemic issues related to the rights of children and adolescents. The CNDCA X aims to ensure the implementation of the national policy and the decennial plan of the human rights of children and adolescents, from the strengthening of the rights of children and adolescents and the following specific objectives (please forgive me for the translation!): I-sensitize and mobilize society in general in the defense of the Statute of the Child and Adolescent (ECA); II-strengthen the participation of society at large, in particular, children and adolescents, in the formulation, monitoring and evaluation of the policy and the decennial plan of the human rights of children and adolescents; III-encourage the creation and strengthening of spaces for participation of children and adolescents on the boards of rights, services, and programs in public and private projects, among others, intended for childhood and adolescence; IV-propose strategies that promote the strengthening of the rights of children and adolescents for the implementation of the policy and the decennial plan of the human rights of children and adolescents; V-articulate actors in the system of guarantee of rights to participate in the writing and implementation of the national decennial plan locally (State, region, and the Federal District). VI-identify and strengthen the mainstreaming of the rights of the child and adolescent theme with the public policies in the three levels of Government; VII-promote, qualify and ensure the participation of society, especially children and adolescents, in the formulation and control of public policies; VIII-establish process of educomunicativa coverage of the X CNDCA; IX-to ensure the mainstreaming of the debate about the fight and the deconstruction of the oppressions of gender, class, race and ethnicity, religion, territoriality, generational, sexual orientation, people with disabilities, street children, in reception and in fulfillment of socio-educational measure; X-ensure at all stages of the CNDCA X the participation of children and adolescents and the parity of gender, ethnic and racial clipping, and regional diversity. XI-elaborate for the 12th National Conference on Human rights; XII-to promote Brazil as international reference of good practices on policies for participation of children and adolescents; XIII-to strengthen democratic institutions and the very concept of democracy in Brazil. The theme of the the X National Conference on the rights of children and adolescents will be "Politics and decennial plan of the human rights of children and adolescents - Strengthening the local councils for the rights of children and adolescents". Clenir dos Santos Pavement Project Director SGM Lifewords, Rua Uruguai, 514, sala 201, Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil CEP 20510-060 t +55 (21)32382480 (office) +55 (21)96246077 (mobile) www.sgmlifewords.com facebook.com/SGMLWPavementProject |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Knowledge Exchange materials used by StreetInvest to inform research methodology and tools for a vulnerability and service mapping study in Kolkata, India |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Knowledge Exchange materials used by StreetInvest to inform research methodology and tools for a vulnerability and service mapping study in Kolkata, India. The project is funded by the Wellcome Trust and involves street youth being trained as researchers to conduct interviews and focus groups with other street children and youth in 5 wards in Kolkata. The 'research and response' project is on the issue of health and wellbeing and draws on the initial findings from the GUOTS research. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Knowledge Exchange materials used in India in advance of the Street Child Cricket World Cup held at Lord's 30 April - 7 May 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Following the successful use of the Knowledge Exchange materials last year for the Street Child Football World Cup in Moscow, the materials were used again with participants in India as part of preparations for the Street Child Cricket World Cup held at Lord's and in Cambridge from 30 April on 7 May. "On the pitch, 10 national teams, both girls and boys, will represent their countries. Off the pitch, the young people will make their voices heard and make recommendations to help improve the lives of street children worldwide." |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.streetchildunited.org/our-sports-events/street-child-cricket-world-cup-2019 |
Description | Lecture to Market Research Society after winning the MRS President's Medal 2015 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Members of the MRS from 36 different business and charitable organisations attended the lecture. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://www.mrs.org.uk/article/item/2188 |
Description | Meeting with NGO Chance for Children in Accra, Ghana |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Meeting with NGO Chance for Children in Accra, Ghana where we discussed how they are embedding the research within their street work practice. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Pasha 88: Lockdown and young people living on the streets of Harare, Zimbabwe (Conversation Africa podcast). November 25, 2020 2.36pm GMT. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A podcast facilitated by the producer and involving the academics and practitioner involved in making the story map and what life was like under lockdown for young people living on the street of Harare. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/pasha-88-lockdown-and-young-people-living-on-the-streets-of-harare-zimba... |
Description | Plenary Lecture, 2015 RGS-IBG International Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Undulations of Urban life: growing up on the streets in Accra, Ghana, Plenary Lecture, 2015 RGS-IBG International Conference |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Presentation to Sir Mark Walport Visit, CEO of UKRI |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Sir Mark Walport, Chief Executive of UKRI, visited the University of Dundee and this project represented social sciences at the University, selected for its impact and scope. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Presented Case Study at UNICEF, GAGE, ODI Event on Gender, Adolescence and the Sustainable Development Goals: a focus on research uptake and impact |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Presenting Growing up on the Streets as a key case study, highlighting innovations, approaches and techniques, with a focus on gender and adolescence. The presentation was followed by discussion. Key questions addressed: How is research impact being defined and measured? What are innovations in methods? What are key considerations and criteria for success, considering stakeholders in adolescence research and LMICs? The objectives of the Workshop over all were: To explore and understand the effectiveness of new and innovative methods for measuring the research uptake and impact of research related to gender and adolescence; To understand the enablers of and constraints to evidence-informed decision-making in the research to policy process and for building collective impact; To advance the discussion and practical application of measuring outcomes for adolescents and highlight the opportunities and threats of emerging trends likely to impact upon measurement of adolescent SDG outcomes; To make connections and build networks towards developing a shared vision of a holistic approach to capturing and documenting progress towards SDGs. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Presented at the 6th International conference on Children Youth and Families at the University of Sao Paula on Campinas and at the International Child Rights Conference at PUC-Rio, Brazil |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentations on 'Creating stories for impact: co-producing research and knowledge exchange with young people through story mapping' |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Schools Engagement |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Using the findings from Growing up on the Streets to increase public awareness of the needs of street children and youth, StreetInvest our UK charity partner has continued to work with schools in west London. In February 2019 sessions were delivered to 88 year 5 pupils at Barnes School. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Schools Events |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 201 children, 15 teachers across 7 schools - 4 from Fife, Scotland and 3 in London - took part in a morning of workshops where they made shelters from cardboard, found food in bins, identified where street children lived, and role played who may (or may not) help street children. Their feedback was 100% positive! |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Utilising GUOTS research in policy making |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | A meeting with DFID, Consortium for Street Children (CSC), UNICEF where the research and knowledge exchnage findings were presented. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2016 |
Description | Workshop/discussion on Briefing Papers with street children and youth and practitioners in Arusha, Tanzania |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Street workers who are involved in teh Growing up on the Streets Peer Network discussed the pfindings of the project as presented in Briefing Papers with the street children an dyouth they work with, looking for similarities and differences. As a result they found out more abut the people they were working with. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Workshops/discussions around Growing up on the Streets Briefing Papers, Mombasa, Kenya |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Two workshops took place with street chldren and youth and street work practitioners discussing the research findings and comparig to their own experiences. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |