Puppetry for building bridges: Psychosocial intervention in emergency settings in the Middle East

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karim Dakroub
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Vulnerable Populations ◽  
Psychosocial Intervention ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Structured Model ◽  
Syrian Crisis ◽  
Displaced People

This article describes the application of puppetry to psychosocial support during the Syrian crisis since 2011. After many years of using applied puppetry with vulnerable populations, such as refugees and victims of military actions, the author developed a structured model of intervention, as well as a training programme on puppetry, as a medium of expression and communication for activists (social workers, psychologists, artists), allowing them to work with refugees and displaced people. This model is based on a psychosocial approach aimed at strengthening the resilience of the final beneficiaries. The article includes a detailed description of the training steps and techniques involved, linking them to concepts and theoretical background.

Demographic gaps between Syrian and the European populations: What do they suggest?

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa Murat Yucesahin ◽  
Ibrahim Sirkeci
Keyword(s):  
Transition Theory ◽  
World Population ◽  
Demographic Analysis ◽  
Demographic Differences ◽  
Syrian Crisis ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Syrian Population ◽  
Displaced People ◽  
Near Future

Syrian crisis resulted in at least 6.1 million externally displaced people 983,876 of whom are in Europe while the rest are in neighbouring countries in the region. Turkey, due to its geographical proximity and substantial land borders with the country, has been the most popular destination for those fleeing Syria since April 2011. Especially after 2012, a sharp increase in the number of Syrian refugees arriving in Turkey was witnessed. This has triggered an exponential growth in academic and public interest in Syrian population. Numerous reports mostly based on non-representative sample surveys have been disseminated whilst authoritative robust analyses remained absent. This study aims to fill this gap by offering a comprehensive demographic analysis of the Syrian population. We focus on the demographic differences (from 1950s to 2015) and demographic trends (from 2015 to 2100) in medium to long term, based on data from World Population Prospects (WPP). We offer a comparative picture to underline potential changes and convergences between populations in Syria, Turkey, Germany, and the United Kingdom. We frame our discussion here with reference to the demographic transition theory to help understanding the implications for movers and non-movers in receiving countries in the near future.

Psychosocial Intervention Model of Kerala, India During Pandemic COVID-19: “Ottakkalla Oppamundu (You’re not alone, we’re with you)”

2021 ◽  
pp. 002073142110192
Author(s):  
Rekha M. Ravindran ◽  
R. Anjali Krishnan ◽  
P.S. Kiran ◽  
Bindhu Mohan ◽  
K.S. Shinu
Keyword(s):  
Psychosocial Intervention ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Positive Thinking ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Success Stories ◽  
Psychosocial Support System ◽  
Socioeconomic Strata ◽  
Descriptive Approach

Globally, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in several psychosocial manifestations across all socioeconomic strata. This study attempted to explore the details of a psychosocial support system implemented in Kerala, India, to address psychosocial issues during this pandemic. It employed a descriptive approach using qualitative and quantitative methods. The results can be summarized into 4 overarching themes: (1) process of implementation, (2) issues addressed, (3) experiences, and (4) success stories. This intervention targeted the whole population, with a specific focus on quarantined/isolated individuals and selected vulnerable groups. COVID pandemic has sowed several negative emotions, such as anxiety; and stigma and fearful thoughts, including suicidal ideations; trepidation regarding family members; and misinfodemics in general. Social and religious corollaries of the pandemic have intensified the psychological agony. The study provides an overview of the psychosocial intervention adopted by the state during the pandemic, which has helped both the beneficiaries and the providers. It has also helped to promote positive thinking and change the attitude toward the disease among the beneficiaries. It is highly commendable that timely intervention could obviate quite a few psychiatric emergencies, including suicides and aggressive behaviors. Considering its efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability, this model can be replicated in any setting.

The meta-geography of the Middle East and North Africa in Turkey’s new geopolitical imagination

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 431-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aylin Güney ◽  
Nazif Mandacı
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Arab Spring ◽  
Critical Geopolitics ◽  
Syrian Crisis ◽  
Security Practices ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Arab Spring ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Geopolitical Imaginations

This article critically analyses Turkish security discourses connected to the meta-geography of the Broader Middle East and North Africa (BMENA) before and after the developments of the Arab Spring. A critical geopolitics approach and critical security theories in international relations provide the theoretical framework, as security discourses are considered to be a product of geopolitical imaginations and codes that, in turn, shape the making of foreign and security policies. First, the article examines the invention of BMENA as a meta-geography within Turkey’s new geopolitical imagination, as well as the new geopolitical codes underlying the new security discourses. Then, the article assesses the impact of the Arab Spring, which led to major changes in Turkey’s newly established geopolitical codes, formulated in the pre-Arab Spring period, and analyses the ruptures and continuities in Turkey’s security discourses in the light of those developments. Finally, the article concludes that the Arab Spring, especially the Syrian crisis, shifted the focus of Turkey’s foreign policy in BMENA from cooperation to conflict. This has led to a resecuritization of Turkey’s geopolitical codes, discourses and security practices in the region, revealing the limitation of Turkey’s current geopolitical imagination.

scholarly journals The Islamic Movement in Israel: Ideology vs. Pragmatism

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-24
Author(s):  
David Schwartz ◽  
Daniel Galily
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Technological Progress ◽  
Legal Status ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
Armed Struggle ◽  
Islamic Movements ◽  
Oslo Accords ◽  
Islamic Movement ◽  
The Status

This study aims to present the Islamic Movement in Israel, its ideology and pragmatism. With progress and modernization, the Islamic movements in the Middle East realized that they could not deny progress, so they decided to join the mainstream and take advantage of technological progress in their favor. The movement maintains at least one website in which it publishes its way, and guides the audience. Although these movements seem to maintain a rigid ideology, they adapt themselves to reality with the help of many tools, because they have realized that reality is stronger than they are. The main points in the article are: The Status of Religion in Israel; The Legal Status of Muslim Sharia in Israel; Personal status according to Israeli law; The establishment of the Islamic Movement in Israel – Historical Background; The crystallization of movement; Theoretical Background – The Theory of Pragmatism; Ideology and goals of the Islamic Movement in Israel; The background to the split in the movement – the opposition to pragmatism; How the ideology of the movement is expressed in its activity? The movement’s attitudes toward the Israeli elections, the Oslo Accords and the armed struggle against Israel; How does pragmatism manifest itself in the movement’s activities?

scholarly journals TÜRKİ YE’Nİ N YENİ BÖLGELERE YÖNELİ K “İ DDİ ALI” DIŞ POLİ Tİ KASI: HERKESİ N DOSTLARA İ HTİ YACI VAR

2021 ◽  
pp. 230-241
Author(s):  
İlkin MİKAYILOV
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Middle East ◽  
National Security ◽  
Central Asia ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Main Argument ◽  
Turkish Foreign Policy ◽  
Syrian Crisis ◽  
Military Equipment ◽  
Military Support

This article’s main argument is that after failure of ‘zero problems with neighbours’ oriented foreign policy Turkey is experiencing the transformation of foreign policy and more focusing towards the regions which were ignored before. After Arab Spring, especially after the Syrian Crisis, it has been observed that ‘zero problem with neighbours’ oriented foreign policy became ineffective and lost its effect in the Middle East. However, this does not mean that Turkey’s foreign policy loses its assertiveness. After assertive policies towards Middle East and Mediterranean areas, Turkey’s assertive foreign policy shifted towards new regions, which are historically, have less confrontation with Turkey and has positive trends against Turkey such as Caucasus and Central Asia. In this context, while the relations with the Turkic Council were deepened, the policy towards this region became clear with the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War. During the Second Nagorno- Karabakh War Turkey gave strong support to Azerbaıjan both in term of rhetoric and military support as well based on Turkish drones and other Turkish made military equipment which shows the assertiveness of Turkey. The development of the Turkic Council’s member countries both politically and economically made organization an important regional actor. Thus, Turkic Council become an important tool for Turkish foreign policy in terms of assertiveness. Turkey’s assertive foreign policy will increase which is the in compliance with the Turkey’s national security. Also for region countries, it is important that Turkey put weight on region, which is crucial for Turkish foreign policy. Keywords: Assertiveness, Caucasus, Turkish Foreign Policy, Turkic Council.

scholarly journals Iranian–Turkish Relations in a Changing Middle East

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-98
Author(s):  
Alberto Gasparetto
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Arab Spring ◽  
Strategic Alliance ◽  
External Environment ◽  
Syrian Crisis ◽  
The Arab Spring

After the outbreak of the Arab Spring and, above all, the intensification of the Syrian crisis with Ankara starting to engage in a political confrontation with Assad’s Syria, Tehran tried to exploit its historic strategic alliance with Damascus in a search for projecting its influence abroad. As Turkey has been facing more and more hardships and experiencing political isolation, Iran seemed to be more comfortable with its external environment, ben­efiting from a convergence of interests with Russia. However, the advent of ISIS created further disarray in the region, presenting opportunities for countries to cooperate especially for Erdogan’s new Turkey which was still focused on fighting Kurds.

scholarly journals Iran and Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Rivalry and the Middle Eastern Security: An Assessment

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 17-19
Author(s):  
Azeem Gul ◽  
Rizwana Karim Abbasi ◽  
Syed Arslan Haider
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Political Power ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Positive Development ◽  
Nuclear Program ◽  
Syrian Crisis ◽  
External Power ◽  
Regional Influence

The strategic rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran has been worsened for the last two decades. This historical sectarian divisions led by Saudi Arabia and Iran has now morphed into a struggle for regional influence between Shia political power led by Iran and Sunni political power led by Saudi Arabia. Against this backdrop, the study examines the contours of the Middle Eastern security in the context of Saudi and Iran strategic rivalry in various conflicts such as crisis in Syria, Yemen, and situation in Iraq including proxy wars and Iran’s nuclear program. The study finds out that the security situation of the Middle East would have been much better if Saudi and Iran would have cooperated on various issues such as Yemen and Syrian crisis. In addition, the internal vulnerabilities of the Middle East with Iran and Saudi strategic antagonism provided opportunities to the external power intervention that further has intensified the conflicts in the region. The study concludes that the solution of the Middle Eastern problem would lie in building cooperation between Iran and Saudi Arabia relations and in this respect the current rapprochement between the two states is a positive development for Middle Eastern security.

Introduction: Dawn Chatty and Bill Finlayson

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawn Chatty
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Forced Migration ◽  
Internal Displacement ◽  
World War ◽  
Internally Displaced ◽  
Afghan Refugee ◽  
Northern Cyprus ◽  
History Of ◽  
Displaced People

Dispossession and displacement have always afflicted life in the modern history of the Middle East and North Africa. Waves of people have been displaced from their homeland as a result of conflicts and social illnesses. At the end of the nineteenth century, Circassian Muslims and Jewish groups were dispossessed of their homes and lands in Eurasia. This was followed by the displacement of the Armenians and Christian groups in the aftermath of the First World War. They were followed by Palestinians who fled from their homes in the struggle for control over Palestine after the Second World War. In recent times, almost 4 million Iraqis have left their country or have been internally displaced. And in the summer of 2006, Lebanese, Sudanese and Somali refugees fled to neighbouring countries in the hope of finding peace, security and sustainable livelihoods. With the increasing number of refugees, this book presents a discourse on displacement and dispossession. It examines the extent to which forced migration has come to define the feature of life in the Middle East and North Africa. It presents researches on the refugees, particularly on the internally displaced people of Iran and Afghanistan. The eleven chapters in this book deal with the themes of displacement, repatriation, identity in exile and refugee policy. They cover themes such as the future of the Turkish settlers in northern Cyprus; the Hazara migratory networks between Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and the Western countries; the internal displacement among Kurds in Iraq and Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem; the Afghan refugee youth as a ‘burnt generation’ on their post-conflict return; Sahrawi identity in refugee camps; and the expression of the ‘self’ in poetry for Iran refugees and oral history for women Iraqi refugees in Jordan.

Africa — Latin America — Asia and Pacific — Middle East — Europe

1986 ◽  
Vol 26 (253) ◽  
pp. 224-228
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Prime Minister ◽  
Horn Of Africa ◽  
Southern Sudan ◽  
East Europe ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
Displaced People ◽  
And Storage

Mr. J.-M. Bornet, ICRC delegate-general for Africa, went to Khartoum where he was received on 3 June by the Sudanese Prime Minister, Mr. Sadiq el Mahdi. The discussions centred mainly on the ICRC's work in Sudan and in the Horn of Africa.The ICRC continued the operation undertaken from Kenya in April (ICRC office and storage depots in Lodwar-Lokichogio), involving the provision of relief supplies and the evacuation of the wounded in southern Sudan, continued. However, because of adverse weather and dangerous conditions, the operation was scarcely stepped up despite the increase in the number of displaced people in the Narus area (20,000 by the end of June).

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