Country
Year
Assignment
Partner
Theme
Scope of Research on social cohesion in Burundi and Chad
This program of UNICEF addressed community engagement for the maintenance of peace, social cohesion and Child Protection in Chad and Burundi. The study explicitly aimed at consolidating baseline information on social cohesion, and identifying relevant child protection stakeholders. It focussed on drivers of conflict, eliciting local perceptions on structures, processes contributing to (or hindering) social cohesion and peacebuilding. It also sought to identify the structural factors that provide the basis for social cohesion and child protection implementation.
Methodology of Research on social cohesion in Burundi and Chad
Evaluation Expert Armel Oguniyi joined the International Institute for Child Rights and Development (IICRD) as research associate for the assignment. The two-year research drew on both existing literature and in-country fieldwork experience supported by UNICEF and local partners. Child centred, participatory action research (PAR) and ethnographic research methods guided the research. In addition, the team combined Outcome Mapping and IICRD’s Reflective Action tools over two years of the research.
Outcome of Research on social cohesion in Burundi and Chad
The research helped to leverage local knowledge of the actors involved in the creation of social cohesion at the community level. The findings provided useful analysis of conflict drivers, local perceptions on structures, contributing to (or hindering) social cohesion and peacebuilding. It contributed to an understanding of structural factors and broader context for social cohesion, peacebuilding and child protection programming. Moreover, to reinforce formal and non-formal protection systems, the research provided contextualised guidance to implement, and monitor strategic actions.
