Relations between family situations, social work and schools to foster children’s resilience towards violence: looking at alternative social innovative approaches in Tulkarem, Occupied Territories, Palestine

This research aims to understand the intervention processes of social work in the specific context of occupation (Palestine) with the ambition to improve the intervention models of social workers to help mitigate violence and strengthen communities’ resilience to violence. Through a participatory approach, it will identify the training needs and synergies needed between actors and stakeholders, as well as the strength and weaknesses in approaches and interventions of social workers in a context such as Tulkarem.

The initial research conducted with the Leading House MENA Region Seed Money Grant (first funds obtained ) showed that, in most cases, social work in Palestine does not address or mitigate violence in itself but creates a ‘ventilating space’ where violence is expressed in an ‘accepted way’. The ‘victim of occupation’ or ‘resistant to occupation’ narrative is a strong justification for accepted forms of violence, including in schools activities. This research project aspires to promote change through the design of a collaborative social innovation involving the different actors engaged in mitigating violence.