ThaiNGO

Consultant

Feasibility Study: Protecting Children on the Move in Asia, through ICT and Social Media

1.Background

The phenomenon of migration and displacement in Asia have affected millions of children, who move both within and between countries, and with or without their parents. Their movements might place them at risk of inadequate care, or further dangers of economic or sexual exploitation, abuse, neglect or violence. For example along the mixed maritime migration corridor from Myanmar and Bangladesh to Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, nearly 170,000 refugees and migrants are believed to have travelled by sea[1]. They comprise mainly of stateless Muslim minority who are in search for safety and Bangladeshi migrants seeking for economic opportunities. The Andaman Sea corridor is just one example of irregular migration route in Asia. Other migration routes include those between Thailand and neighbouring countries. Thailand has received millions of migrant workers from the neighbouring countries of Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, along with hundreds of thousands of their children.

One key concern that relates to children and young people on the move, with or without their parents, is the lack of accurate information about the risks associated with irregular migration such as human trafficking, exploitative labour, sexual exploitation, detention and abuse of human rights. With migration being a form of coping mechanism and that young people want to support their families economically, unrealistic and rosy impression of employment opportunities in destination countries like Thailand and Malaysia further drive refugees and migrants to engage in risky migration routes by sea or overland. Even if refugees and migrants are forced by circumstances to leave their home country, it is important that they are aware of the risks involved in relation to irregular migration so that they can better protect themselves prior to moving and whilst on the move.

Another concern is that children and their families often get separated while on the move. As such, there is a need to help separated and unaccompanied children keep in touch with their families, stay together and be reunited. One innovative approach is to explore how Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Internet and social media can be mobilised to raise awareness of risks associated with irregular/unsafe migration and help children reunite with their families.

2.Purpose of Feasibility Study

Southeast Asia is experiencing a rapid growth of Internet, digital, social media and mobile activity. Internet and social media usage increase more than 15% year-on-year. Much of this growth is attributable to more widespread access to internet-enabled mobile devices. Out of 630 million population in Southeast Asia, there are 776 million mobile subscriptions, 250 million active internet users and 230 million active social media users[2].

This digital growth in Southeast Asia presents potential opportunities for children on the move to keep in contact and be reunited with their families through mobile, internet and social media platforms as well as to gain access to critical information for informed decision making. However, we do not know as yet how children on the move are communicating which can take different form both in terms of their keeping in touch with their families and in keeping themselves informed of the risks and how to mitigate those risks. To this end, the purpose of the feasibility study is to explore what ICT and social media children currently have access to and use, what they may be able to get access to and how partnership with organisations working to protect children on the move and communication technology companies in the Asia region can be utilised to better protect, trace and reunite children, young adults and their families.

3.Objectives

Overall objectives of the consultancy are:

a.To understand how ICT and social media can be effectively mobilised to disseminate key messages targeted at children, young people and their families to better protect themselves from risks associated with irregular migration such as human trafficking, exploitative labour, sexual exploitation, detention and abuse of human rights prior to and whilst on the move. Communication technology and social media have the far-reaching potential to get information out to enable children, young people and families to make informed decisions and choices.

b.To explore involving and working with children and young people to develop information materials in their own language for circulation through ICT and social media i.e. what to do when/ if they get sick or detained. To also explore the idea of getting children and young people to share their experiences via ICT and social media relating to the realities of limited legal and human rights being respected in countries of transit/destination.

c.Looking towards Save the Children Corporate Engagement Centre based in Singapore, to explore and map out possible partnerships and collaborations with technology and mobile communication companies in Asia to trace missing children, reunite separated and unaccompanied children with their families and help children on the move stay in touch with their families.

4.Scope of the Study

The study will focus mainly on children and young people on the move in two countries: Myanmar and Thailand. The study should also include Bangladesh and Indonesia. Some key themes and questions to address are:

a.Determine whether and how children and families stay in contact when the child goes on the move (whether they have access to mobile phones or manage to access SMART phones or computers, on the way). The initial steps should also determine whether they have access to and use internet apps or other means of communication such as Skype, Whatsapp and Viber, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. This should include exploring how families are sharing information, what kind of information they share and post, and the languages that would need to be considered in communicating with children and their families.

b.Review of INGOs/ NGOs / services that are providing support to children on the move. Review use of ICTs and social media to reach out to children on the move and their families. What are some of the challenges and successes?

c.Review of current approaches to tracing missing children, to disseminating information to children on the move and their families with regards to the risks and mitigation of those risks.  Identify existing gaps and suggest how ICT and social media might fill these gaps. Review of apps such as REFUNITE.  

d.Recommendations as to whether and how ICT, NGO and social media platforms can be mobilised to disseminate key messages to better protect children and young people from risks associated with irregular migration such as human trafficking, exploitative labour, sexual exploitation and detention prior to and whilst on the move.

5.Methodology

A consultant or a small team of consultants will be recruited to lead this study. The consultant is expected to suggest a suitable methodology or methodologies in a technical proposal which will be further elaborated during the inception phase.

It is anticipated the methodology for this research will comprise: 

- Desk review related to children’s access to information prior to going on the move, and the use of mobile, internet and social media among children on the move and their families in Myanmar, Thailand, Bangladesh and Indonesia.

- Desk review of key organisations (INGOs and NGOs) providing protective and supportive services to children on the move and the means they use to communicate messages or information to children on the move

- Mapping of key technological innovations (by NGOs or tech companies) that are already out in the market to trace missing children and help families stay in touch and/or reunite children on the move with their families. This includes identifying what is successful/ not successful and potential tech-based companies for collaboration.

- Field work:

> Interviews with concerned individuals and/or focussed group discussion with children and young people on the move. It is expected that the consultant will engage children through a participatory research approach in order to highlight children’s perspective through the process.

> Consultation with organisations (INGOs, NGOs, tech/ social media companies) providing protective and supportive services to children on the move

6.Deliverables

The main output will be a report which includes:

- Desk review findings

- Field assessment (data analysis, consolidations of interviews and observations)

- Mapping of organisations involved in and willing to continue to provide information and different forms of support to children on the move

- Mapping of key technological innovations and potential tech-based companies for collaboration

- Recommendations

7.Timeframe

The timeframe for this study is 3 months. The research consultant is expected to commence by mid-July 2016. The assignment is expected to be delivered by mid-October 2016.

8.Location and Remuneration

This position is home-based and requires frequent travel to the field to gather information for the purpose of the study. Transport cost, accommodation cost and food cost associated with field research will be covered by Save the Children.

Successful candidate will be remunerated competitively.

9.Application

Interested applicants are invited to apply and submit the following documents:

- A 2-page outline detailing research methodology for the study

- A writing sample or published materials preferably on migration and technology

- Resume

- Expected consultancy rate and proposed no. of days to complete the study

Please send the above to recruitment.singapore@savethechildren.org by 14 July 2016.