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Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research and Development Officer

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Page 1: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities

Maira Seeley, Programmes Research and Development Officer

Page 2: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Special thanks to: Professor Dawn Chatty, Refugee Studies Centre, University of

Oxford Jadranka Stikovac Clark, GFP Institute Director Lama Hattab, GFP Programmes Director Safiya Ibn Garba, GFP Programmes Manager and Lead Facilitator Sairah Yusuf, GFP Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Hana’ Juma’h, GFP Senior Programmes Officer Amani Al-Nsairat, GFP Programmes Coordinator Ahmad Al-Jbour, GFP Programmes Coordinator Ahmad Al-Kharouf, GFP Programmes Coordinator Salwa Abdel Waheed, GFP Volunteer Laila Abu Zainedien, GFP Intern GFP Programme Volunteers in Mafraq, Amman, and Irbid Maha al-Asil, Consultant

Page 3: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

GENERATIONS FOR PEACE

Jordan-based peace-building organisation with global reach

Dedicated to sustainable conflict transformation at the grassroots level through the use of sport, art, advocacy, dialogue and empowerment activities

Volunteer movement: empowering, mentoring, supporting volunteers to be change-makers in their communities

Values: Youth Leadership; Community Empowerment; Active Tolerance; Responsible Citizenship

Drivers of Change: Innovation; Quality; Impact; Sustainability

Since 2007: trained and mentored more than 8,880 volunteers in 50 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe

Local programmes run by volunteers engaged more than 227,900 children, youth and adults

Page 4: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

GENERATIONS FOR PEACE

Jordan Schools Programme: Train/mentor/support teachers to run sport and art-based behaviour-change

activities with their students 12 schools (boys and girls schools, selected based on priority need in

Amman, Irbid and Zarqa) for 2 academic years 2014-2016 1,800 male and female students (12-16 y/o) directly benefitting as

participants

Social Cohesion in Host Communities Programme: Train/mentor/support community/youth centres leaders to run sport and art-

based behaviour-change activities with youth In community centres and youth centres in 12 selected host communities

most in need (in Irbid, Mafraq and Amman) over 2 years 2014-2016 5,000 male and female Jordanian and Syrian youth (12-22 y/o) directly

benefitting as participants

TWO FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES IN JORDAN

Page 5: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

What are the most important/main forms of conflict prevalent between Syrian and Jordanian children and youth in urban and village communities in northern Jordan?

How do Jordanian and Syrian perceptions of these forms of conflict differ?

What are the most pressing needs (at the community level) in addressing these different forms of conflict between Syrian and Jordanian children and youth?

What type of community-based programming could address these issues? What resources are needed to address local conflict through community-based programming?

Page 6: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

METHODS: DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Focus groups and interviews at community centres in three host

communities in Mafraq (rural), Irbid (rural), and Amman (urban) Governorates, May-August 2015

At each site, one focus group (including 6-8 participants) and one interview with members of each of the following demographics (Syrians and Jordanians separated)

Target Group members’ mothers (Beneficiary Community members) Target Group members’ fathers (Beneficiary Community members) Male Target Group members (12-22 y/o) Female Target Group members (12-22 y/o)

48 total focus groups and interviews, 154 total participants (79 SYR, 75 JOR; 80 female, 74 male)

Two additional focus groups and one interview with GFP Jordanian programme volunteers (c. 20-45 y/o) at each site (9 total: 6 male, 3 female)

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of translated interview and focus group transcriptions using NVivo

Page 7: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

MAIN FINDINGS

A. Strong contrasts between Jordanians’ and Syrians’ perceptions of both the degree and the type of Jordanian-Syrian conflict prevalent in their community

B. Interacting social factors that influence Jordanian-Syrian social relations, some of which contribute to a “feedback loop” of conflict escalation. This leads to (1) decreased access to education for Syrian refugee children and youth and (2) Syrians’ increased social isolation, especially girls and women.

C. Implications and recommendations for programmes to build social cohesion: specific points at which intervention can interrupt this “feedback loop” and de-escalate conflict between Syrians and Jordanians in host communities

Page 8: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

A. KEY AREAS OF DIVERGENCE BETWEEN SYR & JOR PERCEPTIONS

1. The distribution of humanitarian aid

2. The status of Syrians as “guests” or as refugees holding rights: hospitality- and rights-based discourses

3. Accessibility of education

4. Community safety and relations with local law enforcement and civil/municipal authorities

5. Perspectives on Syrian women’s and girls’ marriage to Jordanians

Page 9: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

DIVERGENCE 1: THE DISTRIBUTION OF HUMANITARIAN AID

Mafraq Irbid Amman0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100% 94%

85%

71%

6%

15%

29%

Mentions of antipathy due to aid distribution

Jordanians Syrians

Page 10: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

DIVERGENCE 2: STATUS OF SYR AS EITHER “GUESTS” OR AS REFUGEES HOLDING RIGHTS: HOSPITALITY- AND RIGHTS-BASED DISCOURSES

Male Female0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

56%

44%

71%

29%

Mentions of rights

Jordanians Syrians

Male Female0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

45%55%

30%

70%

Mentions of status as "guests"

Jordanians Syrians

Page 11: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

DIVERGENCE 3: ACCESSIBILITY OF EDUCATION

Jordanian Syrian Jordanian Syrian Jordanian SyrianMafraq Irbid Amman

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

8%

91%

0%

100%

19%

81%

Mentions of dropouts or youth who never enrolled in Jordanian schools

Page 12: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

DIVERGENCE 3: ACCESSIBILITY OF EDUCATION

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

82% 84%90%

10%6%

Issues mentioned in association with youth dropping out or not enrolling in school

Page 13: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

DIVERGENCE 3: ACCESSIBILITY OF EDUCATION

JO

R

SY

R

JO

R

SY

R

JO

R

SY

R

JO

R

SY

R

Dropout + JOR physical vio-lence against

SYR

Dropout + JOR verbal violence

against SYR

Dropout + SYR mistrust of JOR

Dropout + physical vio-

lence in school

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

18%

82%

4%

96%

13%

87%

13%

87%

Mentions of issues associated with youth dropping out of or not enrolling in Jordanian schools, by na-

tionality

Page 14: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

DIVERGENCE 4: COMMUNITY SAFETY AND RELATIONS WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT & CIVIL/MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES

Males Females0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

18%

39%

82%

61%

Mentions of street violence

Jordanians Syrians

Males Females0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

44%

18%

56%

82%

Mentions of sexual harassment

Jordanians Syrians

Page 15: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

DIVERGENCE 5: PERSPECTIVES ON SYR WOMEN’S AND GIRLS’ MARRIAGE TO JOR

Female Male Female Male Female MaleMafraq Irbid Amman

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

48%

8%

29%

0% 0%

11%

Jordanians’ mentions of marriages between Syrian women and Jordanian men

Page 16: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

B. SPECIFIC INTERACTING SOCIAL FACTORS INFLUENCING SYR-JOR SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS

1. Relationships between Syrian refugees and Jordanian teachers in local schools

2. Communication patterns within families

3. The gender of individuals involved in Syrian-Jordanian interactions

4. The historical precedent of Palestinian refugees in Jordan

Page 17: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

1. RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SYR REFUGEES & JOR TEACHERS IN LOCAL SCHOOLS

Relationship between SYR students and JOR teachers influences on perceptions of JOR society among SYR youth and their families

Mixed (non-shift) schools: SYR described discrimination and verbal and physical violence from teachers and school administrators

Shift schools: sense that teachers “just don’t care about Syrians,” very poor quality of education

Result: Syrian dropouts/failure to enroll, isolation of students and their families

Page 18: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

2. COMMUNICATION PATTERNS WITHIN FAMILIES

Self-reinforcing “feedback loop” of conflict

Type and frequency of communication varies by gender

Lack of opportunities for positive interactions between SYR and JOR families increased social isolation of Syrians

Parents experience

socio-economic

stress/local pressures

Parents’ anxieties are

communicated to children

Children’s perceptions of JOR/SYR are influenced by

parents

Conflict between

JOR/SYR children

Children’s experiences

influence parents’

perceptions of JOR/SYR

Page 19: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

3. GENDER OF INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN SYR-JOR INTERACTIONS

Lower rates of violence, perceived discrimination, and antipathy between SYR and JOR females than between SYR and JOR males

Female interactions: more references to “guest-host” relationship, fewer references to “rights”

More positive interaction among SYR and JOR female neighbours than among SYR and JOR male neighbours

High social isolation among SYR women and girls, very few opportunities for positive interactions with JOR

Page 20: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

3. GENDER OF INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN SYR-JOR INTERACTIONS

Using "S

yria

n" as

insu

lt

JOR e

xpre

ssin

g mis

trust

of S

YR

SYR exp

ress

ing m

istru

st o

f JOR

Perce

ived

dis

crim

inat

ion

JOR g

ener

al a

ntipat

hy to

wards

SYR

Inci

tem

ent t

o confli

ct0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

13%

38%46%

38% 33%

8%

87%

62%54%

62% 66%

92%

Gender and Type of Interaction

Females' interactions Males' interactions

Page 21: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

4. HISTORICAL PRECEDENT OF PLE REFUGEES IN JOR

Recent history of Palestinian refugees mentioned as factor in SYR-JOR relations in 45% of all interviews and focus groups

Both SYR and JOR cited Palestinian experience as a good example of mass integration of a refugee population (in both Jordan and Syria)

JOR participants in Amman referred to selves as “Palestinians” when describing their relationships with Syrians, but referred to selves as “Jordanians” otherwise

SYR participants in Amman mostly referred to host community members as “Palestinians,” explicitly contrasting them with “Jordanians” elsewhere

Page 22: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

FEEDBACK LOOP: ESCALATION OF SYR-JOR CONFLICT, SYR DROPOUTS & SYR SOCIAL ISOLATION

Relations between Syrian and Jordanian children and youth (school, street)

Syrian and Jordanian parents’ perceptions of the other group

Teachers’ attitudes towards Syrians

When violence occurs…

Syrians leave school

Increased isolationof Syrian children, youth, and their families

Page 23: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

C. IMPLICATIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SOCIAL COHESION PROGRAMMING IN JOR

1. Design social cohesion programming to target Jordanian teachers’ attitudes towards Syrians and violence in Jordanian schools

2. Youth-based programming provides a vital “entry point” to address conflict, but also need to find ways to involve parents as much as possible in youth-based programming

3. Provide more “safe spaces” (such as integrated recreation or sport activities) for positive Syrian-Jordanian interactions in host communities

4. Ensure that Syrians are included in programme design and implementation

5. Focus efforts on including women and girls in programming (due to greater social isolation but less violence, better SYR-JOR integration when given the opportunity to interact)

Page 24: Jordanian hosts and Syrian refugees: comparing perceptions of social conflict and cohesion in three host communities Maira Seeley, Programmes Research

With thanks to the Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford