According to scientific research, refugees have a higher risk of suffering physical and mental illnesses compared to the general population (Bogic, Njoku & Priebe, 2015). The consequences of such situations are even more severe for children (Fazel et al, 2012; Reed et al, 2012), and they include neurodevelopmental problems (Turley & Obrzut, 2012; Zaydeh et al, 2016). The effects and consequences of neurodevelopmental problems caused by the exposure to traumatic events, violence or malnourishment (Fasfous et al, 2013; Thabet et al, 2004) develop during childhood and adolescence and spread throughout life affecting academic performance, professional status and mental health during adulthood (Shonkoff, 2011, 2012). The largest number of refugees living in regions around Europe are located in the Middle East, specifically in Palestine and Jordan (Gonzalez-Ubeda, 2017). There are more than 2 million people living in refugee camps in Palestine. Moreover, 700,000 Syrians and 2 million Palestinian refugees are living in Jordan (almost 40% of the total population) (González-Úbeda, 2017). Nevertheless, professionals who provide care to refugee children (principally psychologists, social workers, and teachers) have limited or lacking training on neurodevelopment and its related problems. For these reasons, the main objective of this Project is to design and implement a higher diploma about neurodevelopment focused on refugee children for professionals who are involved in their care. This higher diploma will include units about brain and neuropsychological development, detection of neuropsychological problems, instruments for detection, etc. Objectives and sustainability will be achieved by means of qualifying academic staff on neurodevelopment as well as instructing them on becoming the future teachers of the diploma. Training will be supported by both online learning tools and personal training.
For these reasons, the main objective of this Project was to design and implement a higher diploma about neurodevelopment focused on refugee children for professionals who are involved in their care. This higher diploma will include units about brain and neuropsychological development, detection of neuropsychological problems, instruments for detection, etc.Unfortunately, the war situation in Palestine makes this goal more necessary than ever.
The neurodevelopmental problems caused by the exposure to traumatic events, violence or malnourishment (Fasfous et al, 2013; Zaydeh et al, 2016) appear during childhood and adolescence and spread throughout life affecting academic performance and mental health during adulthood (Shonkoff, 2012). Nevertheless, professionals who provide care to children exposed to traumatic events (principally psychologists, social workers, and teachers) have limited or no training on neurodevelopment problems.
<< Background >> The neurodevelopmental problems caused by the exposure to traumatic events, violence or malnourishment (Fasfous et al, 2013; Zaydeh et al, 2016) appear during childhood and adolescence and spread throughout life affecting academic performance and mental health during adulthood (Shonkoff, 2012). Nevertheless, professionals who provide care to children exposed to traumatic events (principally psychologists, social workers, and teachers) have limited or no training on neurodevelopment problems. << Objectives >> For these reasons, the main objective of this Project was to design and implement a higher diploma about neurodevelopment focused on refugee children for professionals who are involved in their care. This higher diploma will include units about brain and neuropsychological development, detection of neuropsychological problems, instruments for detection, etc.Unfortunately, the war situation in Palestine makes this goal more necessary than ever. << Implementation >> Objectives and sustainability was achieved by means of qualifying academic staff of the partners on neurodevelopment as well as training them on becoming the future teachers of the diploma. Training will be supported by both online learning tools and personal training. The project proposed 1 one-week training, but in the end, 3 one-week trainings were provided to 3 teachers from each of the academic partners. << Results >> The initial objectives of the project have been surpassed since at Bethlehem and Hebron University, a joint Master in Neurodevelopment and Child Neuropsychology accredited by the Palestine Ministry of Higher Education has been implemented. Ten students were enrolled in the first cohort and another 10 in the second one. In addition, 12 lecturers have been trained in neurodevelopment, neuropsychological tests have been purchased and a media lab has been set up for the training of the students.