Repatriation of Children from Syria

Research objective
This research project resulted from an activist engagement to counter the violation of human and children’s rightstowards Belgian children and their mothers related to ISIS. Our visits to the camps, public and political actions to get the children and their mothers back during the last two years, have created a trustful and sustainable relational network among all those that are affected by and involved in the return of the children and their mothers. It offers all of us a unique opportunity to build out successful repatriation and social integration and to develop together “good practice” in support and caregiving.  

Research design
The development of successful support and caregiving for the children and families is realized from their perspective. Their voices and experiences are central to the development and investigation of “good practice” by involving them longitudinally in the use of several qualitative research methods, such as constructing (auto)ethnographic material, participating in art-based experiential activities and entering reflective and focused conversations, individually or in group with different kinds of participants, such as peers, family members, caretakers…, but also through participating in the construction, presentation and dissemination of research findings.