The Impact of Concepts of Childhood on Children's Participation in Bhutanese Refugee Camps

Abstract

Understandings of childhood determine how local communities and agencies view and interact with children, as well as the type of programs agencies implement to benefit them. The theories of childhood underpinning agencies' objectives affect which programs are offered and whether children are encouraged to participate in project planning, implementation and evaluation. The ways that children are viewed within a refugee community and their responsibilities also shape the responses of children and their communities to programs. These issues are investigated through a case study of Bhutanese refugee children's participation in camp and community life in Nepal. The paper explores various conceptualizations of childhood among the Bhutanese refugee community and the different agencies working in the camps and analyzes the empirical material in relation to theories of childhood and children's competencies.