Children’s rights, participatory research and the co-construction of national belonging

Authors

  • Marta Bivand Erdal Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
  • Mette Strømsø Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7577/hrer.2610

Abstract

This article contributes to the debate on human rights education in diverse societies. It is concerned with the relationship between participation and the co-construction of national belonging. Our data consists of 289 pupil texts and 33 focus group discussions in 6 upper secondary schools in Norway. The role of the school in nation-building is well-known, often emphasizing policy documents or curricula. However, it is in the interaction between pupils and their teachers that the production and re-production of the nation occurs. Participatory exercises in our focus groups functioned as pedagogical interventions, helping pupils to reflect on how they understand, discuss and co-construct national belonging. We find that the potential for co-construction of national belonging, through pedagogical interventions, depends on who is acknowledged as a legitimate participant. Notwithstanding power hierarchies, it can be argued that group discussions are concrete ways to help young people in diverse classrooms co-construct national belonging.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Downloads

Published

2018-06-23

How to Cite

Erdal, M. B., & Strømsø, M. (2018). Children’s rights, participatory research and the co-construction of national belonging. Human Rights Education Review, 1(1), 25–45. https://doi.org/10.7577/hrer.2610

Issue

Section

Research articles

Cited by