“Rock, Paper, Scissors: The Role of Arts in Psychosocial Support for Children During Armed Conflict” has been published

The research report “Rock, Paper, Scissors: The Role of Arts in Psychosocial Support for Children During Armed Conflict”, which was prepared within the scope of Anadolu Kültür’s works for children, has now been published. The report that is the outcome of the research conducted between July 2020 and April 2021 by Ebru Ergin and Ezgi Koman from FISA Center for Child’s Rights, is available in Turkish and Kurdish.

Rock, Paper, Scissors

The Role of Arts in Psychosocial Support for Children During Armed Conflict 
Batman, Diyarbakır, Mardin, Şırnak, Van
2015-2020
Research Report
Co-authors: Ebru Ergin, Ezgi Koman
Anadolu Kültür, April 2021

The report focuses on the psychosocial support programs that aim to eliminate various impacts of armed conflicts on children -from violations of the right to life, to restrictions on access to education and treatment, and to displacement-. Through this study, the attempt was to assess how and to what extend arts is employed in these programs targeting particularly children, its impact on child’s healing processes, and the challenges experienced by the practitioners and their underlying causes. In addition, the report also provides the observations of the participants of the study and their assessment of the needs and suggestions for the continuation of their work in the field. Within the scope of the research, in-depth interviews were held with 58 persons from Batman, Diyarbakır, Mardin, Şırnak, and Van through online meetings due to the Covid-19 pandemic measures. The interviewees of the study comprise of the representatives of civil society organizations, art organizations and public institutions that carry out work with children; and the educators and independent activists who carry out such work individually. Overall, the ultimate purpose of this research report has been to assess the role and impact of art and craft activities used in psychosocial support practices by those who work with children and/or for children in regions undergoing an armed conflict.

We hope that this report will be instrumental in determining the general strategies to be followed in the field, and supporting the organizations in line with their needs while contributing to the relevant literature and the practices of organizations operating in this field. Moreover, we believe that it will serve as a guide for implementing comprehensive capacity-building programs intended for Anadolu Kültür and for aforementioned organizations and field workers, and prospective activities regarding original content production and institutional support.

“Rock, Paper, Scissors: The Role of Arts in Psychosocial Support for Children During Armed Conflict” is supported by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Turkey.

You can access the summary report here.

You can access the report (available in Turkish and Kurdish) here

For further information: [email protected]