tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37415602708160596202024-03-20T20:39:31.195-04:00Dear ExileComments on Families Affected by Adversity from Around the WorldBree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-55716371453017767632018-06-22T18:00:00.000-04:002018-06-25T10:50:37.348-04:00The Effects of Child-Parent Separation on Families: My Interview with Scott Thompson on 900 CHML<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Trump administration's tactic of separating children from their parents at the US-Mexico border has long-term negative ramifications for child and family well-being. </div>
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Below is audio of my radio interview with Scott Thompson of 900 CHML Radio in Hamilton:</div>
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Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-30972391713684330992015-09-11T12:17:00.000-04:002015-09-11T12:19:37.285-04:00Child Mortality Rate Halved (But It's Still Not Enough)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="A child is given an injection as part of a malaria vaccine trial at a clinic in the Kenya coastal town of Kilifi, November 23, 2010. REUTERS/Joseph Okanga" border="0" src="http://s4.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20150908&t=2&i=1077894834&w=644&fh=&fw=&ll=&pl=&sq=&r=LYNXNPEB8719W" height="268" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Reuters, Joseph Okanga</td></tr>
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Since 1990, the mortality rate of children under the age of five has been cut by 53%. This is a great achievement, but not enough. <span id="articleText">Around 16,000 children under five still die each day. </span>According to the World Health Organization (WHO), have of deaths for children under five occur within the first four weeks of live, underscoring the importance of neonatal health to address health risks such as asphyxia and sepsis, as well as maternal health during and after pregnancy to address breastfeeding and early immunizations.<br />
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The Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), which expire this year, aimed to cut the death rate by two-thirds. Though this goal was not met, I think that we can learn lessons from halving the rate. Though perhaps overly ambitious in scope, the MDGs gave the research, academic, and policies communities a goal. Using lessons from the past 25 years of the MDGS, we need to develop a new set of goals so that we can address the unnecessary and tragic deaths of our young children.</div>
Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-81687268544755786242015-09-07T18:42:00.003-04:002015-09-07T18:43:27.708-04:00Resources to Learn About Refugees<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Though World Refugee Day (June 20th) is long past, refugees are still very much in the news today, as hundreds of thousands flee violence in their home countries and move towards Europe. For those interested in learning more about refugees through online photos, articles, and interactive features, educational blogger Larry Ferlazzo has compiled <a href="http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/06/18/the-best-sites-for-learning-about-world-refugee-day/" target="_blank">an impressive list</a> of resources to learn more about this topic. </div>
Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-59151933409609022262015-08-23T15:37:00.001-04:002015-08-23T15:38:00.085-04:00Walking Through Gaza and Israel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today, the New York Times published several "<a href="http://nyti.ms/1U0ojfJ" target="_blank">walks</a>" through places and spaces in Gaza and Israel. Though they can be viewed separately, taken together, they tell a complicated story of how individual lives on both sides of the wall are affected by war and, more often, the potential for war.</div>
Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-25367252220939189272015-07-06T10:36:00.002-04:002015-07-06T10:37:33.001-04:00An Empty Refugee Camp<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Azraq Refugee Camp, Photo: Alisa Reznick/Al Jazeera</td></tr>
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You probably imagine a refugee camp as being overcrowded with people. Yet there is a refugee camps that is almost empty due to the harsh living conditions refugees face there.<br />
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Azraq refugee camp opened its gates over one year ago to meet the soaring numbers of refugees fleeing Syria. Yet, despite the offer of a shelter for every resident, the camp stands mostly empty. This is because of the living conditions in the camp. Located on a barren piece of land in the northern Jordanian desert, the camp houses 18,500 refugees, with 10,000 under the age of 18. But the residents describe the living conditions as harsh, with scorching summer heat, dust storms, and fierce winds. Schools services and education programs are available for children, but high temperatures keep children at home. The camp has no electricity, and so refugees cannot use fans or refrigerators inside their shelters. Furthermore, the prices for food have increased, and with a $29 per month food voucher, families cannot afford basic food items.<br />
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For more on Azraq, see <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/2015/05/jordan-azraq-syrian-refugee-camp-stands-largely-empty-150526084850543.html" target="_blank">this photo essay from AlJazeera</a>.<br />
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Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-34712458582837725372015-07-04T13:48:00.001-04:002015-07-04T13:49:15.323-04:00A Job and a Bicycle: One Experience of Child Labor in Beirut<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In this video, UNICEF highlights one of its partner organizations, <a href="https://www.himaya.org/" target="_blank">Himaya</a> in Lebanon, through the story of Ahmad. Amad is a 15-year-old Syrian refugee living in Lebanon, who narrates his struggles living and working in Beirut.<br />
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The video shows the challenges of child labor. A child cannot just transition from working and supporting his family to attending school. The child may not have attended school before. Plus the impact on the family economy must be considered, as these children are often supporting their families financially. Himaya rightly notes that child labor must be addressed on a case-by-case basis.</div>
Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-90139878600567915532015-07-04T12:01:00.002-04:002015-07-04T12:07:31.548-04:00Waiting in Turkey's "Baking Camp"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
UNHCR just released a <a href="http://www.unhcr.org/559655b66.html" target="_blank">news report</a> on the conditions at Suruç camp, the largest refugee camp in Turkey. Built by UNICEF and Turkey's Emergency and Disaster Management Presidency (AFAD) in the middle of 2014, Suruç now houses 25,000 mostly Kurdish refugees from Kobane, Syria.<br />
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The article describes the overwhelming heat inside the camp, where "the sun offers relentless heat and pitiless light which bounces off soil bleached almost white." Understandably, families tend to stay inside their tents to escape the heat of the day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suruç Refugee Camp, Photo: Associated Press</td></tr>
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What are the implications for children's mobility in these contexts? What are their lives like when the environment does not allow for freedom of movement? How do families cope with earning livelihoods in these contexts?</div>
Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-85762753057608907222015-06-08T09:09:00.000-04:002015-07-17T09:14:50.436-04:00Politics Prevail Over Children's Rights Again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Reuters reported that Leila Zerrougui included Israel's army and Hamas in the annual "blacklist" of states and armed groups that violate children’s rights during conflicts. But Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moom overrode Zerrougui's recommendation, and left them off this list in the final published report.<br />
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Philippe Bolopion, a representative of Human Rights Watch said: "Ban's disappointing decision to override the advice of his special representative by removing Israel and Hamas is a blow to UN efforts to better protect children in armed conflict. Facts and consistency dictated that both be included on the list, but political pressure seems to have prevailed." You can read more of the story <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/08/us-israel-palestinians-children-un-idUSKBN0OO20N20150608" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-60860439394107359752015-06-01T09:27:00.000-04:002015-07-17T09:28:27.618-04:00Prioritizing the Health and Well-Being of Mothers and Children in Emergencies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Princess Sarah Zeid of Jordan relayed the following statistics in a statement at the side event on health and well-being in emergencies during the 68th World Health Assembly:<br />
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"Sixty per cent of maternal, 53 per cent of under-five and 45 per cent of
new born mortality takes place in humanitarian and fragile settings. Of
the more than 80 million people who were in need of humanitarian
assistance, in 2014, over 75 per cent of them were women and children."</blockquote>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Medina Maternal Child Health, Somalia, 2013 Photo: AP/Ben Curtis</td></tr>
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The side event focused on three aspects: (i) safety and health of health
care workers; (ii) reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH); and (iii) mental health and psychosocial
support in humanitarian emergencies. You can read more about the health and well-being of mothers and children in emergencies <a href="http://reliefweb.int/report/world/health-and-wellbeing-mothers-and-children-emergencies" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-45497668145602905202015-03-22T22:44:00.000-04:002015-03-22T22:44:16.811-04:00The Deadliest Place for Children<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Nicholas Kristof's <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/19/opinion/nicholas-kristof-deadliest-country-for-kids.html?em_pos=large&emc=edit_nk_20150319&nl=nickkristof&nlid=36504685&_r=0" target="_blank">latest column in <i>The New York Times</i> </a>highlights Angola, where despite being a relatively rich oil and diamond country, has the highest rate of child mortality in the world. This high mortality rate is due to a complicated mix of poor nutrition and lack of access to health care.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Speaking with villagers in a remote part of northern Angola." border="0" class="CToWUd" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjCTPL1oh_4LxCeW5XdaNfClJzuI5jDlOAMd3UJ4asYpjNPz5h1IMSBGu-KGM_tIWEPTTW3p3C4bzYHiQIVTM2UevC74YqXe41lalZG0X03qR9zSVHguDhqzX00Bk8DwgMS9MKxbzO1NDydVYBybShoprGYssTpZ0-VVHeTgTB9hCDiVX_Jp8it_y3Q1p3gdPdbkq9HEW3xOKYGHTUyP57QmxeGTCfjYks4jdkqkTDY=s0-d-e1-ft" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: <i>The New York Times</i></td></tr>
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Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-40765561675146796042015-02-28T11:32:00.002-05:002015-03-12T14:25:00.292-04:00"Voluntourism" and Child Welfare<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.bettercarenetwork.org/BCN/details.asp?id=32465&themeID=1002&topicID=1017#_edn5&utm_source=Better+Volunteering%2C+Better+Care+Newsletter&utm_campaign=Better+Volunteering%2C+Better+Care&utm_medium=email" target="_blank">A new report</a> </span></span></span>from
Better Care Network reviews and shares existing knowledge on<br />
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international "voluntourism" as
related to the alternative care of children (e.g., orphanages) in
developing countries. This is a very interesting "hot" topic, especially
for those of you who have worked or are interested in working with
children in global contexts. In fact, the <a href="http://www.bettercarenetwork.org/bcn/" target="_blank">Better Care Network website</a> has some really great resources on this topic. (I find this advertisement slightly amusing, as it initially implies one could "win a youth".)<br />
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Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-18656040647735724602015-02-28T11:21:00.002-05:002015-02-28T11:22:57.610-05:00Ontario Child Welfare Resources<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The <a href="http://www.cwlc.ca/" target="_blank">Child Welfare League of Canada </a>has
some great information about vulnerable children in Canada. They don't
accept individual memberships, but you can sign up for their newsletter
to stay updated on child welfare activities.<br />
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OACAS recently announced the official launch of the <a href="http://researchframework.org/go/home/" target="_blank">Ontario Child Welfare Research Framework website</a>.
The website provides a brief overview of the legal and theoretical
contexts for child welfare research in Ontario, as well as key research
principles, datasets, methodologies, and ethical guidelines. </div>
Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-52446952659947183592015-02-19T11:19:00.000-05:002015-02-28T11:21:16.034-05:00What Really Happened to Baby Johan?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img alt="Image result for what really happened to baby johan" class="rg_i" data-sz="f" height="457" name="pZylMhW5bTR5IM:" 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/wB6/wDFQ8/ovrR/XT/9Wv8AMrmvdB60RAsXu2A/QuA5+ZXJPqFBc7WNm9lZ2SyWkLiZpkQddmzvZ4AE4yTiixqfoRbCxgt+HtcfXPYWPWc+BYk0q2k9Z9IFgk9zc70bhgsjtlHXiDhuIYH5q12iNEaw39sJop55IJQwG9dAbwBKMCGfPMEcaDm1h2uaQe5ma3uWjgLnolCJwQHC+6QnJHE57TVeu1bS2fyxj+pH/BXV+BzS3vdf30f8VcmkNlmlYVLNaMwAz7WySH9lGLH5qBntX9KpeWsNwnuZow2OeMjrKfA5B8KBGqmr/sDWmO3xhA8rR+lGgkZfHAO6T3g0P7PWa+tl6GO5uIVQkdGsjKFOeI3c8DnOfTWu0Zqlp276G/jeR3Ke1TG4UOFO8MAs28Bxbh6TQMZpzREV3A9vOC0cgAYAkE4IbmOPMCsd+BrRP9Q/71/4qHv9FtaP6+f/AKsfx1P6La0f18//AFY/joNxpTZBotIZXWF95Y2Ye2vzCkj86qnybPyS6+PH2BQ31rvNNWLrDd3VwplXIXp94FSd053WI+erfROz7WG1Urb78KscsI7lFBPLJw9Abta9SbPSLRtdIzmMELh2XGcZ9yRnkKovwNaJ/qH/AHr/AMVAK51z0pG7I97dK6MVZTK2QQcEHjzBrq0HrJpe7nS3gvLlpZM7qmcrnALHiWA5A0G02z6g2WjrOKW1jZHacISXZuqUc8mPeoqt8nXznJ8lf7yOq/XXVzTcdsZNIPI8CMD151kAY9UEKGJzxxn01Xah6saTnD3Gjiy7p6NnSURnkGI4sCRyNAYPKK82R/Kk+xJS3UVNKagaw3KBJ2klQHeCyXKsMjIzgvzwT89VX4G9Le90/ex/xUGAqVqNZ9QL7R8SzXUSojOEBDq3WIJHBSTyU116I2X6SuoUnhhVo5BvKelQZHgWyKDGVK334HNLe91/fR/xVW6V2baTt1LSWchUczHuyfRGSceqgydSvpGK+UDhbO/Ndj8mj+wKWfan52vfjj9QpmNnfmux+TR/YFZjWDY1Z3lzLcSTXCvK28wUpgH0ZjJ+mgWSnetfcJ8EfVQr/AJYf191+1H/AC6K8aYAHcMUCV6b/KZ/jX+0a0GyzV72dpKCMjMaHpZfgpg4PoZt1f1qz+m/ymf41/tGj35PGr3RWkl2w61w26nwEJH0vvfsigLJYDGTz5ent4eqhB5RWr3SW0V4o60LbknwHPVJ8H4frmuTavr4bbS9mkZ6loQ8wHaZBhlx3iI8Ph0XNLWEd5ayQsQY5oyuR3MODDw4EUCWU0OwfzPF8ZJ9s0s+k7F4JpIZBh43KMPSpwfVTMbB/M8Xxkn2zQTXjarDoy59jyQSSHcD7ysoHHPf4VNTdrdppCdbcJJDK+dwPgqxAJwGU8DgHmB89Y3bHqHf3ukOmtrcyR9Ei72+i8RnIwzg9tcuzPZRfRXsNzdIsMcLb+N9WZiOQG4SAM8yTQa/bpqjHcWT3aqBcW4B3hwLpnDK3fgHeHdg95q32KeZbT/mffSV7bXtKJb6JuSx4yJ0SDvZ+HDwXebwU147FPMtp/zPvpKCt1v2vwaPu5bV7eV2j3csrKAd5FfhnjybFdupG1S00lN0CrJDMQSqyYw+BkhSp5gAnBA4UO9qezzSN3pS4nt7YyRP0e63SRjOIkU8GcHmCOXZXZso2W3ttex3d2qwrFvEJvhmYlSo9wSAOJPPPADHHgFzt/1TjktDfIoWaEqJCB7tGIQZ7yrFcHuz6MbLZX5psviR9Zqp256TWHRMyEjemZI0Hed8O3zKp4+FW2yvzTZfEj6zQZ/WfbFbWV1LbSQTM0RALLu4OQDwy2e2qv8AD7Z+9rj+5/FVxrLsetL25luZJrhXlILBCm6MADhlCezvqj0nsMsY4ZZBPckpGzAFkxkKSM+10A62n66RaVuYJYo3jEabhD4yTvE8N0nvpp6SCD3S+I+unW0nMUhkdfdKjMPEKSKAO7etRN5TpGBesoAuFA5jkJOHdyb0YPYaHexrzzafCf7p6YzUnWaLSlmsygZI3Jozx3Wx1lPeDzHeCKFllqQdGax2hjB9jStI0Tfo+1PmMnvXs7wR25oNtt18zz/Dj+8WqPybvyG4+Uf+NKvNuvmef4cf3i1R+Td+Q3Hyj/xpQabX3aPDoqSOOWKWQyIWBTdwMHHHeIrL/h9s/e1x/c/irV69bObfSskck8kyGNSoEZUAgnPHeU1mfwCWP9fdftR/y6DE7U9p0GlLRIIoZY2WYSEvu4wEdcdUnj1hRk2VeabL4ofWaVvWnRq215cQISVimdFLYyQrEDOABnh3U0myrzTZfFD6zQZvWzbHFYXctq1tI5iIBYOADlQ3Ij01c6lbTrLST9EhaKbsilABbAydwgkHA7OB4E4wKA22Tzzd/CT7pKyejr14JY5YzuvGwdT3EHIoGL2xbOo7uCS7t0C3UYLtujHTKBkggc3A5HmcY7sLbTvQSb6K36QBx4jNJlrLarDd3MS8FjnkRR6FcgfQKBsNnfmux+TR/YFBHX/aNpK30jdQw3TJGkhCLuRnA4cMlCaNGz26QaMsgXUH2NH+cP0BS2bUWB0teEHI6Y8R4Cg6/wAK2lvfjfu4/wCCmrt2yik8yo+qkgp2LW7j3F66e5H5w7vGgUCTRz3N+0EYy8twUXxZyMn0DmfRTfaI0cltBFBGMJEiovgoxx9PbQM2L6FWTSl1dyFQsDuEyRxd2YZHgm9+0K1e3rWkQWSQRSe2XD8SjcQiYZuI5ZbcHpG9QaHSey3RlxK800DPJIxZ2M0nEnwfAHcBwA4VqtGWCW8UcMQIjjUKgJJwoGAMkknA4caTJdKz5Ht0v7bf50Wdk2sbQ34jkkYxzruHeYkBhxQ8Tw7V/WFB37cNWYElS5EY3pmw7ZPEquOWccgPmNbTYsgXRcYUYHSSfbNdu0vRa3ej5VUqXT2yPiPdLk4Hiu8vrri2NuBoyPJA9sk5/DNBZa2a6xWH4yOR+XuN3tz+kR3VlpNssTELFayEkgddlUDJx+bvGvxtT0c1xIUQjOEOTy4Z7qHsWqs6OjYVgGBO6ewH04qnePMr9Jx46dpulHvLkCY5RFG4gJCrnmcZ4k95ov7J4guirUKMDD/euaCutUebhuHYPqo2bMJFGjLYEgHDcM/8RqtCsvfS2uMVvM8LRuzIoJIxjiM9pqlvtpihW6KBiw5b7BRzHdnvqk12b/b5sf1a/ZFZdD7r/wB7qraZhMRCu1q0k2kJukuuvukqqgkKgz+aue/GTzPDuGDjs8jVdG2oXgoj4fOaX1m9uIxnMh4DtyaYPUmdFsbcbyjCct4d5qYRILbSNomkrbSVzDBcskaMAq7iHHUU8yhPMmsvPtR0q6sjXbFWBBHRx8QRg/md1MvdaFsJXZ5ILV3Y5ZmjjZjwxxJGTwAFeX9HNG+9bP8AdR/5VZBQIPdL4j66dLTf5PN8U/2TQK2+aOtoZbH2NFDGD0m90SqucGPGd0ePP00b9NXcfsebrr+Kf84fomgV3Zprm+i7sScTDJhZ071zwYf2lySPWO2mqj6K4WKVd2ReEkTjjzUgMp9KsR4E0k9GXYTr90TDR9y+I2P+zsfzWPEoT3NzHpyPzuAb7br5nn+HH94tUfk3fkNx8o/8aVcbcrhG0POAyk78fAEH/eLVH5OUyrZXG8wH+0dpA/3a0Hnty1xvbC4t0tZzErxEsAqnJDYz1lPZQ0/Ctpb3437uP+Cma0jo+zuCGnjt5SBgGRUcgdwLA4Fcn9HNG+9bP91H/lQKJf3rzyvLK29JIxZ2wBkk5JwOHPupsNlXmmy+KH1mshto0NZRaLkaCC2R+kTDRxore648VGa1Wy25QaJswXUHohwJHeaAAbZPPN38JPukqs1H1Vl0ldJDGp3Mgyv2ImeJJ5ZxnA7TTRX2r2jZpGklt7WSRvdO6IxOBjiTz4ACvk+nNG6Pj3TNbW6DkiFR8yJxPqFBc3dykETSOQscaFmPYFUZP0Cku0peGeaWYjBkkZyO4sxb/GiXtV2rez1NraBkt8+2O3Bpcchj81M8ePE8OXIiqgLermxJru1huBeKnSxh93oid3IzjO+M/NVl/q+v7+X9wf5lZrQm2a9tbeK3jitikSBFLK5JA4ccSAZ9VEDZVtOutJ3jQTxwKghZ8xqwOQyAe6cjHWPZQUn+r6/v5f3B/mVP9X1/fy/uD/MokbUNZ5dG2JuIFRn6RVxICRg5z7lgc8O+hB+HnSH9TafsSfzaAe6yaINpdzW29vmKQpvAY3sejJx4Zrdaq7Fb26QSTstqjDIDgtJ60BGPBiD6K0+xvQX+kLq40vdIu90p6JADuh+BZgGJ9zkAcTxJ7QK320bX2LRMSllMs0mejiBxy5sx7FHAcsknxIDCv5P8eOrevvd5iBHzB8/TVLrRs9ubNS5VZYhzePs+Ep4jx4j01+LTb1e9IN+3t2Qn3K76t+0WYf3aO+hdKJdwiRQQDwZW5qe0H/3kahIL6H0WGgjSRAd05APfxx9daGGADsFWmsWiRbzdQYR+so7u8er/ABFUGmL7o0wvujwrmvG9tqfj9X+lY4iF5t3Cq2XTjZOFGPTVOIjnlljzJr3s9GyuTugkeHCspl1RSH7udIRy4E0f647PH0VfWVlEijCgcPR/hVVNoF1Qs26qjnzJxjj2YzmpaBwqgKOWAzcfn7M+qtK20x5KxnSzurVOLAHO7jhVS8aKOfE9nOvU27M43nLL244Yr8HR28zbgYggD5s1G5n1TEfHtqTqh7Na4kWXc3eAymeL73Hn2Yx6+yvfSOwp5SD7NQYGPxJ/mVrNk+jZIBc7/wCcyY9QauHbFr9c6La2FusREoct0ilvclcYww7zXVXxzso/k+yY4XyE+mEj/vNYjXPZle6NXpJFWWHODLESQvdvAgFc9+MemtboDbneNPGs8MDxs4VhGrKwyQMqS5BI7scfRR8vbVJY3jkUMjqVZTyIIwR81WCRVYaA0U93cxW8fupXCg92TxJ9AGSfCuOdArMAcgEgHvwedF/ydNXuknmvWHViHRxn+2w6xHpCcP16Dp/1fX9/L+5P8yhTrVoJ7G7ltpDlo2xvAYDAjKtjsypBxTiez4+m6DeHS7nSbnbu727nwzwoLeUdq9+IvkH/AAZfpZD9oZ+DQA6i7oDYe91bQXAvFQTRLJu9ETu7yhsZ3xnGaEVOHs+82WPyWL7AoBR/q+v7+X9yf5lc95sAuApMV3E7dgdGQfOC31V91q2y39teXMCJbFIpnRSyNnCsQM4k54rWbJNps2k5pLe4iRXWMyK8YIBAZVIYMTx6wwQe+gBultVZrK6S3vgbcMw9sxvruk431wesBzxnPozwolrsAcjK36EEZB6E4Pdx6TlWs8oKyR9GdIwG/FKpQ9vW6rDwI44/sjurg2B659PAbGZvbYFzET+dHyx4oeHwSO40AD0to6S2mkglXdkjYqw9I7u8HmD2gg10ataDkvrmK2iHXkbGexRzZj6FGT6qN233UrpYv9IQr7ZEMTgfnJ2N4p2/2T/Zrt2D6m+xbb2ZKvt1wvUB5pFzHrfg3gF9NBldI7C+gieaXSCLHGpZ2MJ4ADJ/3n0UHWxk45dmeFGnygdc95ho6FuquGuCO1uBRPV7o+nd7jQUoJRR8nbzo/yZ/tx0LqKPk7edH+TP9uOgJPlAeaT8cn+NLLTNeUB5pPxyf40stA1WxOMLoa1x29IT49K//wBeqg95QEzNpUg8khQL4cW+smt/5PGsKyWj2ZI6SBiyjvRznI8HJz8Jam2/Z9Le7l3arvyom5JGObqCSCveRk8OZBGOWCC92/u1+EPrppNmcxLXC9g3D6zvD6h9FLlZaq3rSqi2dwW3hw6Jhjj25AA8TTUam6DNrEd/HSSHL47Mclz244+smqzG0ubXxgI4j275Hq3cn6hQmurvfcnOR2eFEDaLpMM3Rrx6JSWwe1scPEKPpoZwKGYBDnJH01jy7dHB9aPQeiuk6zcEH0//ABVzPpeOPqxrvEepR/nVNpG66NVjVuB7u6uWCThwGa5rVw3rPbcufSjzSszGRip/MHAAdwFV9s8sRyCxXtBNWbyHsxnuyM/XVVdytnBGPRV62t4mYrhoLSQdGMf++NWVjMBwrHWjuoPHwHP/ABq0sbiQsqqC5PM4x6/RitP5xhzzW2cirqW+RL4r/jXTrHqlZ35Q3cIlMYITLMuM4z7lh3DnXNqTAFR+87ufpobeUZYyySWfRRyPhZM7ilscU54Fb8cYrDC/oi6K2d6Nt5FlitIw6nKsSz7pHIjfYgEd9cW1S60ilnJ7BiVgUPSOGPSquOtuJu4zjtDE9w7aXDROiNIiVfY8N0smRulFdSD4gDHieFN5o0SCGPpsGXcXpCOW9gb2PRnNXVJMBTe7OdX/AGBo+CAjD7u/L8Nus3ze58FFBLVXVdLnWOaNAOgt7mSVgOQCSHdXuxv7ox3A0wmltKwWyBriWOJGO6DIwUEkE449uAeHooF7G0L/APYvZm//ALPv9BnPDofcZ8M+20eNcdBi+sp7Y4zIh3CexhxQ+pgKqP8AT+hP67R/zxVo9E6VguUL28scqKd0mNgwBABxw7cEcPTQJbNEUZlYEMpIYHmCOBB9dOBs+82WPyWL7AoA7dNXfYukmkVcR3I6Qd2/ykHjnDfr0ftn3myx+SxfYFBxX+zXRk0jyyWqtJIxZ235Blick4D4591W2r+rFpYhhawJFve6IyS2OWWJJI9GaWLXzRNy2kr1lgmKm5kIIjYgjfPIgcq1mw7R+kUv0O5PHahW6bfDKh6p3cBuBbf3eXHGezNB7bfrvSDNGlxEkdoGJiMbF1Z8H3bFVIbdzhcDm2C3E0LNB6WktLiO4hOJI23l7vSD6CMgjuJppdrluj6Iu+kxhYwy+hgwK49eB68UplA5ermmYdI2kc6AGOVOsh44PJkYeg5Hp9dV20TWpNF2TyjHSHqQJ2FyOHD9FR1j6BjtFYjybGPsO5GeHTjh+oP8h81UXlKsfZFoM8Oic48WGfqHzUAeuZ2kdndizuxZmPMknJJ9JNeVSpQSt9sX1gt7G/aW6k6KMwMobdZuJZCBhQTyBrA1KA67YtfLC90cYba4EknSo27uOvAZycsgFAqpUoLDQOmZrOdJ4HKSIeB7CO0EdoI4EUwOqm22znULd5tZe04LRk+hlBI8GHDvNLdUoG9baDowDPs2A+gPk/MOP0VXaf16ABS2BLH/AHjDAHgDxJ8cDxrF7Odlljd6Pt7mXpelcMW3XwMh2AwMdwFaLWDRASV0UtujGM4PYD+jmqXt1WrGWIuZW6+8SS/5x7Tz4nvNc1oh4bo6w48P8T/hW0sNSGucYYpHni5yc+hV5c+08PGtdZah2kagFXf0s5H2cCsbVtfxtS0U1ISXMRJBYkn6K/VxJgbuFHgAKKWlNQLeRfa2eJuw53h6w3H5iKHGsmh5bWXdlXgRlWHuWHo/xHOsZ4719b1vS3ipFv6Bk8v8zXbZaGL9VM8e3OM+PhzrQ7PdApdmVpQ2ABulTjnnh82D661+k9AJAqmHIycHJyMY8KtHHaYznSl+WInGGS0ZqvHHxky7fMB83P11bRRpCCVUAduBXXbxsB1uJq00boqOdW3888cDjsqK1zOETfEP1q7pGIKx3gAcY4Hsz6K+6c16sLMqLi4EZcEr1HbOMZ9yp7xzqv0xooQMgiJ3cHIPH6hQa21Pl7bP6L/Wtb0tMW6SxtETHYYTta0R78H7qX+XWT1w25QLGyWCtJIRgSuu6iZ7Qp6zEdxAHjyqi2TbLbe+szc3fSddyIgjbvVXgTyPNt4fq1Z7Qtj9rb2E09p0vSxDfIZ94FB7vs7Fy36tbsnFsZ1p0dYQTSXV0FuZ5MuCkjEKud3JCEEklmPHtFUe27XeLSE0MdrJ0kESli2GXLsePBgD1VA4/wBpqGVbDZVq7DpC/W3uN7ozGzdU7pyBw44oMfRN2I67xaPlmjupNyCVQwbDNuuvLgoJ6yk8f7K1vdPbDrM28nsUyrPu5jLvlSRxweHI8s9mc+il6uYGjdkdSroxVlPMEHBB9INAbdsOtei9I2O7DdBp4nDxjo5BvZ6rLlkwMg5581FaPU7abouCwtIpboLJHBGrr0chwwQAjITHPuoc7GNRrXSa3Juek9qMe7uNu+63854H9EVx7ZNT7fRk8CW2/uyRlm323uIbHDgKA1fhZ0R78H7qX+XXnPte0SoyLose5Ypc/SgH00MNm+x43sS3N47RQuMxxpjfcdjEkEKp7OBJHHhwyS12OaJxj2OxP6XTSZ+3j6KAT7Utqh0knse3Ro7fILF8b8hHEZAJCqDxxk5IHdihlRp2gbFRDE9xYM7hAWeB+s2BxPRsBxI/RPE9hzwIWoDHsP1zsrC3nS6nETPKGUbjtkboGeop7aqduOs9rfzW7WkvSqkbBjusuCWyPdqKGVSglSpUoJUqVKCVKlfqOMsQqgkk4AAySTyAA5mg/NSrV9W7wKWNpcBVBLMYXAAHEkndwAB21VUDX7G/M1p8F/vXoZ63+ybnWVrOO5mjjd4wQkjKAohR3IAOAd0MfGiZsb8zWnwX+9esZaMo1xlzzMeF8fYyH6s0BavruO0t3kfqxQxlj24VRnxJwPXS0aybXNI3MrNFM1vFnqRx4GB2bzY3ie/jjuAo5bYEY6HvNznuKT4CRS393NKdQGPZhtbufZMdtfP0scrBFkIAZGPBckAbyk8DniM5zgYowa+aB9m2U0QJEm6WiYHBDgZXiOw+5PoJpQ7BGMsYT3ZdQvjkY+mnbFADvJy0hLJJdrJI7qqJuqzEhcs2cAnhV75QekZoLS3aGWSImcglGKkjcPA7p5VR+T8ym90iV9ycbvhvvj6KMOmNNW9oqtczJCrHClzgE88DPooFDOtF7z9l3H75/wCKjx5PukZp7S4aaWSVhPgF2LEDcXgN48q139P9Ge/rf9sVbaH01b3Ss1tMkyqcMUOQDjODj0VGIAg8obS08E1oIZpYgyPkI7LnrLz3TxoPxSXN9NFE0jzSO4SPfYtgsQO3OBnGfCip5S346z+Lk+0tV3k9avdNevdMOpbLhfTI4IHoOF3vAlanAO1tFFo6yC5xDbQ8T/ZRck+JwT4mvTQukY721imUZjnjDbp443hxU+kHKnwNYzbhNctYi2tYJpmnfD9FG77qLhjkoDjLboweY3q49gr3UdrLa3VvPD0T70RliZAVf3SgsByYE/r0AI110EbG9ntjyRzuHvQ9ZD+yRn05rWbAvOyfFSfUK1vlHau5EF8g5e0y+HFkPz7wz6VFZLYF52T4qT6hQM2zAYyefAent4eoGgpt61E3gdI269ZQBcqBzHIScO7k3owew1qNuOkZLaxhnhYrJHdxsrDvCv8AOCMgjtBIrQ6k6zRaVs1mUDJG5NEeO62Osp7weY7wRQDTyZ/c33jF9UleO3u2EukdHxt7lwFPg0oB+g1vNn2pn+jLm+VPyeYxvCc8vxm8h7eqSOPaCvbmhx5SLkXdoQSCIiQRwIO/2UB3uJBDEzAdWNCQo7lHIfNSqjaRpR7oTLdSly3ViUnozk8FEQ6pHZyz6c8a4Rr7pLGPZtwQRg5kJ+ujJsa2bxwRRX1yu/O6h4lPKJTxU47XI45PLIxx40BajJIBIwccR3UmGsqIt5ciPHRieQJjluhzjHoxijvtX2rJbLJaWbb9wcrJIPcw9hAPbIOXcp58Ril2oJUqVKCVKlSglSpUoJXVoq8ME0UwGTHIrgfBYN/hXLUoHWR4ru3yDvxTx8CO1XX/ACNLbpHYzpNJzHHEsse9hZhIiqRnmQzBhw5jB9Ga/OzzapcaNUQunT2+chCd1kycncbB4czukc+RGTklJt70fjjBdg9wSMj5+lH1UG/1Q0L7CsoLbIYxIAzDkW5sR6N4mlz1r1r6PWCS9h6winUcPzgiiJwD3MAwz6avtdtt0txG0NnG1urDDSs2ZMHmFC8EPZnJPdg8aEVA6NpcwX9qGUiWCeM+DKwwQR2HmCOYOaAesuw+9ikb2IVuIierllRwO5g2FJHeDx7hyrLajbQLvRbEREPCxy8L5Kn0rjirY7R6Mg4FFqy2+2ZUdLbXCN2hNxx6izofooOHZpsdlt7hLq+KZjO9HCp3usOTO3LqniAM8cceGDu9qWtiaOsZG3vbpQUgXtLEcW8FByT4DtFYbTW32IKRaWsjOeRnIUD07qFi3hkeNBrWTWG4v5jNcyF3PAdiqOxVHID/AOzk8aAp+TT+OvPi4/tNV55SX5HbfHn7DUN9lOvUWiXnaWJ5OlVQNwgY3STxz41YbVNpMOlYIoo4ZIzHJvkuQQRukY4H00AzphfJt/Irn5R/2LS9UTdle0qHRUEsUkMkheTfBQgADdAxx8KC78pb8dZ/FyfaWiVsm1e9g6NhRhiSQdLL2HefBAPpVd1fEGgtr5tAtdJXdnK0EohgJ6VCVJcbwbA44wcYOe+thpLb1C0Miw20qylGEbMVwrEYUnBzgHjQaPSe2nR0E0kLLcMY3KFlRSpKnBwS4yMjnivK324aNd1XduF3mA3mRQq5OMsek4AczS0k18oHM1t0It9Zz2zY9sQhSexuaN6mAPqpfthUDR6ZCOCrLHKrA8wRwI9RrT6u7dIoraGKeCWSVECs6lcNujGeJzkgAn05rK2Ov9rDpp9IpBKI5EO9Hlc77ABiOOMEje8SaAmeUP5rX5Qn2XoMbNdc30XdiTiYZMLOneufdD+0uSR6xwzWp2m7UoNJ2Yt44JY2EqvvMVxgBhjgfTQpoHds7pJUWSNg6OoZWHEEEZBHqoC+Up+VWvxLfbqq2ZbVjo2FreeN5ogcxbpAKEnrDj+aTx9Bz38KrarrvHpWaGSKN4xGhUhyDnJzwxQYamft9TNLKqqumyFAAA9iR8ABgD3fdSwUwS7fbUAf7LP86f50AH0pCUmlQtvFZGUsfziGIz6+dctdWk7kSzSyAYDyMwB7N5if8a5aCVKlSglSpUoP/9k=" style="height: 158px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 221px;" width="640" /> </div>
<br />
One of the most read articles this month is <a href="https://medium.com/matter/what-really-happened-to-baby-johan-88816c9c7ff5?src=longreads&mc_cid=e36e9de04e&mc_eid=2cc69e52db" target="_blank">What really happened to baby Johan?</a>,
written by Elizabeth Weil in Matter.<br />
<br />
It's the story of a father who
dropped his three-month-old son, which became a criminal case. The
article highlights the complexities and controversies of child welfare.</div>
Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-66374504364905830042015-02-19T11:14:00.000-05:002015-02-28T11:14:41.978-05:00Neglect Versus "Free-Range" Parenting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
NPR has <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2015/02/18/384050825/kids-solo-playtime-unleashes-free-range-parenting-debate" target="_blank">a report</a>
on the debate between neglect and "free-range" parenting in the US. Note the chart with the varying ages that a
child can be left alone depending on the state: from 6 in Kansas to 12
in Colorado.</div>
Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-37141275884121723802015-02-05T23:26:00.003-05:002015-02-28T11:15:07.992-05:00The Connection Between Large-Scale Violence and Family Violence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/03/opinion/to-stop-violence-start-at-home.html?src=xps" target="_blank">Here</a>'s an excellent op-ed in <i>The New York Times</i>
drawing connections between violence in the home and large-scale
violence. As one commenter states, in order to curb violence in society,
we have to start with our young children.</div>
Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-55207853143725571582015-02-05T23:26:00.001-05:002015-02-28T11:15:27.545-05:00Child Sexual Abuse Images Online<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Child sexual abuse images online (CSAIO) is a new area of child welfare that social workers should be more involved in developing. Here are two resources for addressing CSAIO:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.cybertip.ca/app/en/" target="_blank">Cybertip</a> is a tipline where you can report online sexual exploitation of children. It's also a good source of information on this topic.</li>
<li>There is also a <a href="http://www.virtualglobaltaskforce.com/what-we-do/" target="_blank">Virtual Global Taskforce</a> that addresses online child abuse and other forms of transnational child sexual exploitation.</li>
</ul>
</div>
Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-63195075197262280772015-02-05T23:24:00.004-05:002015-02-28T11:28:16.090-05:00The Teenage Brain<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Frances
Jensen is a neurobiologist who has just published really interesting
research on the development of teenagers brains. She found that the
brains are developed but not fully <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8uD8HFU-PcqLgamw3-0bQCP2no220ccpBHnmmWZWzHZmxq7LgiBEJjKJCiTPX6xb2ijNslNKrF9izMK_L737yrpvgLT5ALOip_LYv7wMpeKWRv1ulYXQYESkkS-D-k4RsgBFSsKKeko/s1600/41SQ-Gan7dL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8uD8HFU-PcqLgamw3-0bQCP2no220ccpBHnmmWZWzHZmxq7LgiBEJjKJCiTPX6xb2ijNslNKrF9izMK_L737yrpvgLT5ALOip_LYv7wMpeKWRv1ulYXQYESkkS-D-k4RsgBFSsKKeko/s1600/41SQ-Gan7dL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="400" width="261" /></a>insulated in the teenage years, and
the last place to be insulated is the prefrontal cortex, which is
responsible for decision-making. That's why teenagers are generally more
impulsive and make bad decisions. They are also more susceptible to
addiction and the effects of drugs and alcohol. <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2015/01/28/381622350/why-teens-are-impulsive-addiction-prone-and-should-protect-their-brains" target="_blank">This article and interview on NPR's Fresh Air </a>does a better job of explaining it all. What do you think about this research? Can you see the links to child welfare?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8uD8HFU-PcqLgamw3-0bQCP2no220ccpBHnmmWZWzHZmxq7LgiBEJjKJCiTPX6xb2ijNslNKrF9izMK_L737yrpvgLT5ALOip_LYv7wMpeKWRv1ulYXQYESkkS-D-k4RsgBFSsKKeko/s1600/41SQ-Gan7dL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
</div>
Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-38543243376431416282015-02-05T23:24:00.002-05:002015-02-05T23:27:33.939-05:00Manitoba to Spend More Money on Child Welfare<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The province of Manitoba says it will spend more money to keep
children who are wards of the province within their communities. There
is an excellent interview on CBC's <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/asithappens/episode/2015/01/27/canada-isis-shootout-saudi-blogger-flogging-update-frozen-lizard-head-and-more/" target="_blank">As It Happens</a>
(click on Part 2 to listen). I would be interested to know if you think
this is a good use of money for child welfare in the province.</div>
Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-10134952510676454792014-07-16T23:06:00.001-04:002014-07-17T09:57:00.669-04:00Update on an Assymetrical Conflict<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As of today, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza has resulted in an estimated 213 Palestinians dead versus one Israeli dead. As with other Israeli assaults on Gaza, the conflict is grossly asymmetrical. Canadian for Justice and Peace in the Middle East explains:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Israel is a military superpower, with F-15 fighter jets, AH-64 Apache
helicopters, sophisticated missiles, an anti-rocket defence system (and
nuclear arms.) Hamas and other militant groups have primitive and
ineffective – often “home made” – rockets." </blockquote>
Indeed, Hamas rockets have killed one Israeli man who was delivering food to Israeli military personnel. But Israel seems to ignore the international law of proportionality, which permits countries to respond to threats, but the response must be proportional to the threat faced. If the rockets coming from Gaza have killed one person and Israel's response has killed over 200, then Israel's response should be questioned by the international community.<br />
<br />
Of course, firing rockets from Gaza violates international law as well, for Hamas is certainly targeting civilians as well as military targets. And UNRWA found that Hamas stored 20 missiles inside an abandoned school in Gaza, which is also a violation of international law. But the brutal strikes on Palestinian civilian homes, cafes, and other civilian sites (whether or not Israel provided warnings to the inhabitants) violates international law too. For example, today, four young boys were killed by Israeli bombs while playing on a beach in Gaza. <i>The New York Times</i> photojournalist Tyler Hicks wrote <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/17/world/middleeast/through-lens-4-boys-dead-by-gaza-shore.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=a-lede-package-region&region=lede-package&WT.nav=lede-package&_r=0" target="_blank">a short piece</a> about his experience photographing the event surrounding their deaths, noting<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"A small metal shack with no electricity or running water on a jetty in
the blazing seaside sun does not seem like the kind of place frequented
by Hamas militants, the Israel Defense Forces’ intended targets.
Children, maybe four feet tall, dressed in summer clothes, running from
an explosion, don’t fit the description of Hamas fighters, either."</blockquote>
Below is a photo from the <a href="https://www.mecaforpeace.org/" target="_blank">Middle East Children's Alliance</a> of a Palestinian mother reacting to news that her son was among the four children killed on a Gaza beach. I don't usually like to post photos of such visceral pain and suffering, but I think it is important in this context, where Palestinians can be dehumanized through media reports and Israeli news conferences. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEFmDNWolx3m_mvlTA6znwO9MT-V7GY-aHZko203P6yBUAqfAYrAoEx9eyX6klm-2ETuC1oFv2c-POwQydp0Wh49M9_mJZeXMAXJBq7Xkv7D1QyjgszPh86G1uNG5dhYpnKdvmlTkPpE/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEFmDNWolx3m_mvlTA6znwO9MT-V7GY-aHZko203P6yBUAqfAYrAoEx9eyX6klm-2ETuC1oFv2c-POwQydp0Wh49M9_mJZeXMAXJBq7Xkv7D1QyjgszPh86G1uNG5dhYpnKdvmlTkPpE/s1600/unnamed.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Ayman Mohyeldin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The fear/anger/sadness was also reported upon from another <i>New York Times </i><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/10/opinion/a-palestinian-mothers-fear-in-east-jerusalem.html" target="_blank">editorial written by Rula Salameh</a> describing her experience in East Jerusalem, which has been threatened by long-range missiles from Hamas as well as other sites throughout Israeli. </div>
Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-73847118652446972272014-04-17T11:24:00.000-04:002015-02-28T11:16:20.534-05:00Shakespeare in Syria<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://international.nytimes.com/" target="_blank">The New York Times</a> published a story about Syrian refugee children living in Jordan who participated in a performance of King Lear. You can find the story <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/01/world/middleeast/behind-barbed-wire-shakespeare-inspires-a-cast-of-young-syrians.html?_r=0" target="_blank">here</a>, as well as a beautiful slideshow highlighting the challenges facing these children and families, and the resources they call upon to persevere.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://static01.nyt.com/images/2014/03/31/world/middleeast/20140401_ZAATARI-slide-XUG9/20140401_ZAATARI-slide-XUG9-jumbo.jpg" height="265" itemid="http://static01.nyt.com/images/2014/03/31/world/middleeast/20140401_ZAATARI-slide-XUG9/20140401_ZAATARI-slide-XUG9-jumbo.jpg" itemprop="url" width="400" /></div>
Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-11944340429786573082013-09-02T14:05:00.002-04:002015-02-28T11:16:35.825-05:00International Crisis Group on the Syria Crisis<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.crisisgroup.org/en.aspx" target="_blank">The International Crisis Group </a>(ICG) recently posted a statement regarding potential intervention in the Syrian conflict. ICG outlines potential scenarios if the US were to engage in military action against Syria, none which are positive, and poses suggestions for alternatives that do not include military intervention. <a href="http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/publication-type/media-releases/2013/mena/syria-statement.aspx?utm_source=syria-email&utm_medium=statement&utm_campaign=mremail" target="_blank">The statement</a> can be found on the ICG website, and I have included the full statement here:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Assuming the U.S. Congress authorises them, Washington (together with
some allies) soon will launch military strikes against Syrian regime
targets. If so, it will have taken such action for reasons largely
divorced from the interests of the Syrian people. The administration
has cited the need to punish, deter and prevent use of chemical weapons -
a defensible goal, though Syrians have suffered from far deadlier mass
atrocities during the course of the conflict without this prompting much
collective action in their defence. The administration also refers to
the need, given President Obama's asserted "redline" against use of
chemical weapons, to protect Washington's credibility - again an
understandable objective though unlikely to reso
nate much with Syrians. Quite apart from talk of outrage, deterrence
and restoring U.S. credibility, the priority must be the welfare of the
Syrian people. Whether or not military strikes are ordered, this only
can be achieved through imposition of a sustained ceasefire and widely
accepted political transition. <br />
To precisely gauge in advance the impact of a U.S. military attack,
regardless of its scope and of efforts to carefully calibrate it, by
definition is a fool's errand. In a conflict that has settled into a
deadly if familiar pattern - and in a region close to boiling point - it
inevitably will introduce a powerful element of uncertainty.
Consequences almost certainly will be unpredictable. Still, several
observations can be made about what it might and might not do:<br />
<ul>
<li>A military attack will not, nor can it, be met with even minimal
international consensus; in this sense, the attempt to come up with
solid evidence of regime use of chemical weapons, however necessary,
also is futile. Given the false pretenses that informed the 2003 U.S.
invasion of Iraq and, since then, regional and international
polarisation coupled with the dynamics of the Syrian conflict itself,
proof put forward by the U.S. will be insufficient to sway disbelievers
and skepticism will be widespread.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>It might discourage future use of chemical weapons by signaling
even harsher punishment in the event of recidivism - an important
achievement in and of itself. Should the regime find itself fighting
for its survival, however, that consideration might not weigh heavily.
Elements within the opposition also might be tempted to use such weapons
and then blame the regime, precisely in order to provoke further U.S.
intervention.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>It could trigger violent escalation within Syria as the regime
might exact revenge on rebels and rebel-held areas, while the opposition
seeks to seize the opportunity to make its own gains. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Major regional or international escalation (such as retaliatory
actions by the regime, Iran or Hizbollah, notably against Israel) is
possible but probably not likely given the risks involved, though this
could depend on the scope of the strikes.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Military action, which the U.S. has stated will not aim at
provoking the regime's collapse, might not even have an enduring effect
on the balance of power on the ground. Indeed, the regime could
register a propaganda victory, claiming it had stood fast against the
U.S. and rallying domestic and regional opinion around an anti-Western,
anti-imperialist mantra. </li>
</ul>
Ultimately, the principal question regarding a possible military
strike is whether diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict can be
reenergized in its aftermath. Smart money says they will not: in the
wake of an attack they condemn as illegal and illegitimate, the regime
and its allies arguably will not be in a mood to negotiate with the U.S.
Carefully calibrating the strike to hurt enough to change their
calculations but not enough to prompt retaliation or impede diplomacy is
appealing in theory. In practice, it almost certainly is not feasible.
<br />
Whether or not the U.S. chooses to launch a military offensive, its
responsibility should be to try to optimize chances of a diplomatic
breakthrough. This requires a two-fold effort lacking to date:
developing a realistic compromise political offer as well as genuinely
reaching out to both Russia and Iran in a manner capable of eliciting
their interest - rather than investing in a prolonged conflict that has a
seemingly bottomless capacity to escalate. <br />
In this spirit, the U.S. should present - and Syria's allies should
seriously and constructively consider - a proposal based on the
following elements:<br />
<ol>
<li>It is imperative to end this war. The escalation, regional
instability and international entanglement its persistence unavoidably
stimulates serve nobody's interest.</li>
<li>The only exit is political. That requires far-reaching
concessions and a lowering of demands from all parties. The sole viable
outcome is a compromise that protects the interests of all Syrian
constituencies and reflects rather than alters the regional strategic
balance;</li>
<li>The Syrian crisis presents an important opportunity to test
whether the U.S. and the Islamic Republic of Iran can work together on
regional issues to restore stability;</li>
<li>A viable political outcome in Syria cannot be one in which the
current leadership remains indefinitely in power but, beyond that, the
U.S. can be flexible with regards to timing and specific modalities;</li>
<li>The U.S. is keen to avoid collapse of the Syrian state and the
resulting political vacuum. The goal should thus be a transition that
builds on existing institutions rather than replaces them. This is true
notably with respect to the army;</li>
<li>Priority must be given to ensuring that no component of Syrian
society is targeted for retaliation, discrimination or marginalisation
in the context of a negotiated settlement.</li>
</ol>
Such a proposal should then form the basis for renewed efforts by
Lakhdar Brahimi, the joint United Nations/Arab League envoy, and lead to
rapid convening of a Geneva II conference. <br />
Debate over a possible strike - its wisdom, preferred scope and
legitimacy in the absence of UN Security Council approval - has obscured
and distracted from what ought to be the overriding international
preoccupation: how to revitalise the search for a political settlement.
Discussions about its legality aside, any contemplated military action
should be judged based on whether it advances that goal or further
postpones it. </blockquote>
</div>
Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-25401035539234028562013-08-25T13:01:00.003-04:002015-02-28T11:17:02.071-05:00One Million Syrian Children Refugees<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
UNHCR has just <a href="http://www.unhcr.org/emergency/5051e8cd6-52162204c.html" target="_blank">reported</a> that one million Syrian children have crossed the Syrian border to seek safety from the uprising against President Assad, which began in March 2011. Three-quarters of those children are under the age of 11. An additional two million children are currently displaced within Syria. And more than 100,000 people have been killed in the conflict.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLf-pEeV2bfjZ0_zMOPhDPd7r544kiLq0fSgPzkDzgJMFi_X0FQWV795upCCWhEyz6DgHzCqD3-Ioz_hkAIZFYLCW-W-8D9wg9ZchADVmtBMxywi6N8jN7NNsrgcv6CCAFzUzWl2wuGQE/s1600/521612df2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLf-pEeV2bfjZ0_zMOPhDPd7r544kiLq0fSgPzkDzgJMFi_X0FQWV795upCCWhEyz6DgHzCqD3-Ioz_hkAIZFYLCW-W-8D9wg9ZchADVmtBMxywi6N8jN7NNsrgcv6CCAFzUzWl2wuGQE/s400/521612df2.jpg" height="200" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[Photo: UNHCR]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
International news outlets were airing footage of an alleged chemical attack against Syrian civilians, which was <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/26/world/middleeast/syria-says-un-will-get-access-to-site-of-possible-chemical-attack.html?hp" target="_blank">recently confirmed</a> by the US White House as being credible. One heartbreaking video I watched last night from <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/" target="_blank">Al-Jazeera</a> showed a young father crying while cradling his two dead children, both of who looked no older than eight. <br />
<br />
It is shameful that the world is standing by and letting Syrian civilians be slaughtered. I am certainly not one to rush towards military intervention, but there must be something that can be done to curb the human rights abuses. I look forward to hearing the US and other countries' plans for intervention; considering how many children are being affected in this conflict, a plan may be too little, too late.</div>
Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-82851021430447999672013-08-16T11:14:00.000-04:002015-02-28T11:17:25.261-05:00Abuse and Recruitment of Children in Central African Republic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKjHITVY2UHfigT3Qqb2jLGEf27SCc1mrADC0kJuOO8Ff5apiGf212ur81q-gDhF40PeOVVO07Iq_d3L8ROEOVTu8BIbr8Di6uUCcUr6Zms6bFTFbXf950updpPfWXuncdNS5Ny3X5ZU/s1600/_69266461_69266456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKjHITVY2UHfigT3Qqb2jLGEf27SCc1mrADC0kJuOO8Ff5apiGf212ur81q-gDhF40PeOVVO07Iq_d3L8ROEOVTu8BIbr8Di6uUCcUr6Zms6bFTFbXf950updpPfWXuncdNS5Ny3X5ZU/s320/_69266461_69266456.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>This week, the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-23688625" target="_blank">BBC reported</a> that over 100,000 children in the Central African Republic (CAR) are being sexually and physically abused, recruited for armed groups, and suffering from malnutition and malaria. This is the result of what UN chief Ban Ki-Moon has called "a total breakdown of law and order" after Michel Djotodia overthrew President Francois Bozize in March of this year. Djotodia has "promised" to step down after elections scheduled for 2016, but a lot more damage can come to children and their families in three years of instability and violence. The article continues to describe the complete collapse of the health care system and destruction of whole villages. Children are obviously a major population that will be negatively affected by the political chaos in CAR.<br />
<br />
[Photo: AP]</div>
Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-39549987984873021932013-08-10T13:13:00.001-04:002013-08-10T13:13:38.041-04:00The Increasingly Strong Connection Between Climate Change and Conflict<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Tim McDonnell of <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/" target="_blank">Mother Jones</a> magazine recently wrote <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2013/07/climate-change-violence" target="_blank">an excellent piece</a> connecting global warming and violent conflict. McDonnell cites a survey published in Science, which:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"...takes a first-ever 30,000-foot view of this research, looking for trends
that tie these examples together through fresh analysis of raw data
from 60 quantitative studies. It offers evidence that unusually high
temperatures could lead to tens of thousands more cases of
"interpersonal" violence—murder, rape, assault, etc.—and more than a 50
percent increase in "intergroup" violence, i.e. war, in some places."</blockquote>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCC-atX4O8mgjvPkcAdvLsoAVEyOe4EkmCANKzVndE92ZOYnz4f_UOa7frzRmiNxXTHjxkdm4gG-EylHCB5hDeGbrpYbAWlQ-TNhvyYpJPKiWlJKuAdK9eIW2sbC6zpllg7P2_ZRu8DTY/s1600/syria-rebels-mjwide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCC-atX4O8mgjvPkcAdvLsoAVEyOe4EkmCANKzVndE92ZOYnz4f_UOa7frzRmiNxXTHjxkdm4gG-EylHCB5hDeGbrpYbAWlQ-TNhvyYpJPKiWlJKuAdK9eIW2sbC6zpllg7P2_ZRu8DTY/s320/syria-rebels-mjwide.jpg" width="320" /></a>There are many potential reasons for this connection between climate change and violence. There are obvious connections between climate change and natural disaster, which oftentimes goes hand-in-hand with violence. Some researchers claim that warm weather contributes to increased inner-city violence (cue: Spike Lee's <i>Do the Right Thing</i>), such as the recent increase in murders in Chicago. Another reason is exceptionally high and low rainfall impacting agricultural production, which in turn can lead to interpersonal and intergroup violence.<br />
<br />
The factors contributing to this connection is piquing the interest of researchers. Hopefully, new studies will draw stronger connections to causality, and perhaps suggest how violence can be lessened and even prevented. <br />
<br />
[Photo: Medyan Dairieh/ZUMA Press]</div>
Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741560270816059620.post-48443693651842655772013-07-25T10:49:00.001-04:002013-07-25T10:49:50.450-04:00Syrian Refugees in Jordan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A few days ago, I received the following email from my friend Yuhki Ohnogi, who I met when working in Nablus. I thought that it would be important to share: </span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;">I'm right now in Irbid, north of Jordan. Since May, I've been taking an Arabic course here. Irbid is located very close to the border with Syria and 2km away from Irbid is
the second largest refugee camp in the world- Zaatari refugee camp. The camp is accommodating 150,000 refugees from Syria. Although they are free from all miserable fighting, their life is far from
comfortable. Because of lack of support from international communities, every day they wake up to ask themselves as to how to survive for a day. Even though they are provided with basic living items, they have to sell them to make some money to buy food.
Technically, they can not work in Jordan without going through an official work
permit process, which is now impossible. Recently, I came across this organisation called "Voice". They work
with the Syrian youth who are living in Zaatari refugee camp. They interview
the people in the camp and collect their stories. </span></span></span></blockquote>
Yukhi also included <a href="http://voicemiddleeast.wordpress.com/page/2/" target="_blank">this link</a> to the organization's website<span style="font-size: small;">.<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"><br />
<a href="http://voicemiddleeast.wordpress.com/page/2/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3b5998;"></span></a></span></span></span></div>
Bree Akessonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09633089179138004576noreply@blogger.com0