Protecting Children in Humanitarian Settings from edX

What's inside

Learning objectives

How humanitarian crises can affect children’s wellbeing and development
What risk and resilience mean in the context of child development and child protection and what factors influence these at the individual, family, community and societal levels

The importance of taking issues of context, agency, relationships and prevention into account when designing interventions
How to think critically about different approaches to child protection in humanitarian crises and identify improvements for practice

How humanitarian crises can affect children’s wellbeing and development
What risk and resilience mean in the context of child development and child protection and what factors influence these at the individual, family, community and societal levels
The importance of taking issues of context, agency, relationships and prevention into account when designing interventions
How to think critically about different approaches to child protection in humanitarian crises and identify improvements for practice

Syllabus

Getting to Know Each Other

How to Take This Course

(Optional) Introduction to Humanitarian Child Protection

Child Development

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Examines how children's social environments influence their adversity, development and resilience

Taught by experts in the field of child protection

Provides opportunities to engage with current international child protection practice

Focuses on select areas within child protection programming in humanitarian settings ripe for enrichment

Not a comprehensive introduction to humanitarian child protection in humanitarian settings

Reviews summary

Essential understanding for humanitarian child protection

According to learners, "Protecting Children in Humanitarian Settings" offers crucial insights for practitioners and those new to the field. Students praise its evidence-based approach, which effectively links child development science to practical child protection strategies. Many found the focus on children's agency, 'Do No Harm' principles, and cultural context particularly valuable. While some noted the theoretical depth might require additional practical application, the course is widely regarded as providing a solid foundation for understanding complex issues in humanitarian crises. The structured modules and expert perspectives are consistently highlighted as strengths.

Offers in-depth theoretical understanding, not a programming guide.

"While excellent in theory, I hoped for a bit more 'how-to' on specific programming, especially as a beginner."

"I found it more conceptual than focused on direct practical application, which is important to know upfront."

"I appreciated the depth of analysis, though I can see how some might wish for more direct implementation steps."

Beneficial for both new learners and experienced practitioners.

"As an experienced practitioner, I still found new perspectives and a valuable refresher here for my work."

"I'm new to the field, and this course provided me with an excellent foundational understanding without being overwhelming."

"It struck a good balance, offering enough depth for seasoned pros and clarity for those just starting out."

Clearly organized and easy to navigate with expert contributions.

"The course structure was logical and made complex topics surprisingly easy to follow."

"I found the lectures engaging and the readings highly informative, contributing to a great learning experience."

"The content was presented by highly knowledgeable experts; their insights added significant value to the course."

Highlights crucial aspects like agency, context, and 'Do No Harm'.

"The emphasis on child agency and 'Do No Harm' principles really resonated with me and informed my approach."

"I particularly valued the deep dive into cultural contexts and how they impact child protection efforts."

"This course reinforced for me the importance of prevention and considering the broader social environment."

Effectively connects academic science to real-world child protection.

"The way they linked child development science to practical strategies was truly enlightening for me."

"I appreciate how the course didn't just present theories but showed me how to apply them on the ground."

"It helped me understand the scientific basis for interventions I've seen in the field, making them more effective."

Provides essential understanding for humanitarian child protection work.

"This course provided me with crucial insights directly applicable to my work in humanitarian aid."

"I found the content incredibly relevant for understanding the nuances of child protection in crisis settings."

"It truly deepened my understanding of how to apply child development principles in emergency contexts."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Protecting Children in Humanitarian Settings with these activities:

Review Course Prerequisites

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Refresh your understanding of the foundational concepts needed for this course, including child development and child protection.

Browse courses on Child Development

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Review your notes from previous courses or textbooks on child development.
Read through the course syllabus and make note of any unfamiliar terms or concepts.

Explore Online Resources

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Supplement your learning by exploring online resources related to child protection in humanitarian settings.

Browse courses on Online Learning

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Visit the websites of organizations such as UNICEF, Save the Children, and the International Rescue Committee.
Search for online courses, webinars, and videos on child protection in humanitarian settings.

Join a Study Group

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Enhance your learning by collaborating with peers in a study group to discuss course material, share insights, and prepare for assessments.

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Connect with other students in the course through online forums or social media.
Organize regular meetings to discuss course content, work on assignments, and prepare for exams.

Three other activities

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Case Study Analysis

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Deepen your understanding of child protection issues by analyzing real-world case studies.

Browse courses on Case Study Analysis

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Identify a case study that is relevant to the course topics.
Analyze the case study, identifying the key issues, challenges, and potential solutions.
Write a summary of your analysis, highlighting the key lessons learned.

Read 'The State of the World's Children 2021'

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Gain insights into the global state of child protection and humanitarian assistance.

View Education in Latin America and the Caribbean at... on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow a copy of 'The State of the World's Children 2021'.
Read the report, paying attention to the sections on child protection and humanitarian crises.

Develop a Child Protection Plan

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Apply your knowledge by developing a comprehensive child protection plan that addresses the specific needs of a vulnerable population in a humanitarian setting.

Browse courses on Project-Based Learning

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Identify a specific humanitarian context and population for your plan.
Research the relevant laws, policies, and best practices for child protection in that context.
Write a detailed plan that outlines the objectives, strategies, and indicators for success.

Career center

Learners who complete Protecting Children in Humanitarian Settings will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Child Protection Specialist

Child Protection Specialists design and implement programs that protect children from harm. They work with governments, NGOs, and other organizations to develop and implement policies and procedures that protect children from abuse, exploitation, and neglect. This course can help you build a foundation in child development, adversity, and resilience, which are essential concepts for working in child protection. The course will also help you develop the skills you need to design and implement effective child protection programs.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people cope with difficult life challenges, such as poverty, illness, and family problems. They work with individuals, families, and groups to provide counseling, support, and resources. This course may be useful for Social Workers who want to learn more about how to work with children in humanitarian settings.

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Psychologist

Psychologists study the mind and behavior. They work with individuals and groups to diagnose and treat mental health disorders, and to promote mental health and well-being. This course may be useful for Psychologists who want to learn more about how to work with children in humanitarian settings.

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Teacher

Teachers help children learn and grow. They work with children of all ages, from preschool to high school. This course may be useful for Teachers who want to learn more about how to work with children in humanitarian settings.

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Nurse

Nurses provide care to patients of all ages. They work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. This course may be useful for Nurses who want to learn more about how to work with children in humanitarian settings.

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Doctor

Doctors diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries. They work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. This course may be useful for Doctors who want to learn more about how to work with children in humanitarian settings.

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Lawyer

Lawyers represent clients in legal matters. They work in a variety of settings, including private law firms, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. This course may be useful for Lawyers who want to learn more about how to work with children in humanitarian settings.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research and analyze public policy issues. They work for governments, non-profit organizations, and other organizations to develop and evaluate policies that address social problems. This course may be useful for Policy Analysts who want to learn more about how to develop and evaluate policies that protect children in humanitarian settings.

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Program Manager

Program Managers plan and implement programs that address social problems. They work for governments, non-profit organizations, and other organizations to develop and evaluate programs that meet the needs of their target populations. This course may be useful for Program Managers who want to learn more about how to develop and evaluate programs that protect children in humanitarian settings.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan and implement projects that achieve specific goals. They work for governments, non-profit organizations, and other organizations to develop and evaluate projects that meet the needs of their target populations. This course may be useful for Project Managers who want to learn more about how to develop and evaluate projects that protect children in humanitarian settings.

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Community Organizer

Community Organizers work with communities to identify and address social problems. They help communities develop and implement plans to improve their lives. This course may be useful for Community Organizers who want to learn more about how to work with children in humanitarian settings.

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations. They work to ensure that their organizations are meeting their goals and serving their target populations. This course may be useful for Nonprofit Managers who want to learn more about how to manage nonprofit organizations that protect children in humanitarian settings.

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Grant Writer

Grant Writers write grants to secure funding for nonprofit organizations. They work with organizations to develop proposals that are responsive to the needs of funders and that meet the organization's goals. This course may be useful for Grant Writers who want to learn more about how to write grants that support programs and projects that protect children in humanitarian settings.

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Fundraiser

Fundraisers raise money for nonprofit organizations. They work with individuals, foundations, and corporations to secure donations that support the organization's programs and projects. This course may be useful for Fundraisers who want to learn more about how to raise money for programs and projects that protect children in humanitarian settings.

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Advocacy Manager

Advocacy Managers develop and implement advocacy campaigns to influence public policy. They work with policymakers, the media, and the public to raise awareness of issues and to advocate for changes that improve the lives of their target populations. This course may be useful for Advocacy Managers who want to learn more about how to develop and implement advocacy campaigns that protect children in humanitarian settings.

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