Study “This is our view: the voices of unaccompanied afghan children in Norway”

The 2015 influx of asylum-seekers in Europe brought high numbers of Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASCs) applying for asylum in Northern Europe. Alarming accounts, in the media and reports in both Sweden and Norway, have since arisen in the region concerning the psychological well-being of these children.

This study aims to provide insight into how the Afghan UASC perceive and understand their situation in Norway. The study allowed the UASC to raise topics they wanted to discuss in relation to the welcome they received. The focus mainly lies on the UASC’s daily lives in Norway, the legal guardians, Norway as a destination, and their future. The pervading theme was the temporary or declined residence permits and their effect on the children. The study is a continuation of a similar, broader study carried out in Sweden in the spring of 2016 called “This Is Who We Are”. With this report, UNHCR hopes to inspire further discussion about the needs and reception of the UASC in the region.

In total, 52 UASC of Afghan origin living in reception centres around Norway participated in eight focus group discussions. The focus group discussions were conducted in six locations, largely spread throughout the country. Using an empirical approach and a strong participatory focus in the group discussions, the study lends a voice to these children.

Read study “This is our view: the voices of unaccompanied afghan children in Norway reception centres”.