Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan

Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan 1
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan 2
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan TMA FORM (PT3)
Copy 1
STUDENT RECORDS
SECTION 1 STUDENT TO SIGN AND COMPLETE
I confirm that I have read the University policy on plagiarism (paragraph 9.4 in the Student
Handbook) and that the work presented here is my own work.
Signature: __Karima Hamadeh_______________ Date: ___29-12-2009________________
SECTION 1 STUDEN TO COMPLETE:
COMPLETE
Name:
Karima Hamadeh
Date From Student
ID#
8167
Date to Center
Course Code
T306b
Tutor’s name:
TMA#
04
Date
Tutor
Sent
to 29-12-2009
SECTION
2
TUTORS
TO
Saher Alanan
Reason for late
Submission
TMA-TOTAL
MARKS
TUTOR’S GENERAL SUMMARY:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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Tutor’s signature:
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Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan 4
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Putting the project together was the result of serious hard work,
research and commitment. Tackling the project was a challenge but
also one that was enjoyable. Doing the project has offered great
opportunity to bring knowledge and understanding gained from AOU
study.
What seemed impossible at the beginning is now a reality.
However, this success would not have been possible without the
tremendous support of my tutors. Special thanks to Mrs.Yara
Abdullah for her encouragement and insightful advice every step
the way upon doing the first manuscript of this study. Special
thanks for Dr. Saher Alanan, who encouraged me in all the steps
and helped me in all the difficulties that I faced during my project.
Also special thanks for Dr. George Nehme, Stuff tutor and
Coordinator of T306 course who gave me the support & advices I
need to finish my project successfully.
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Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Table of contents
Executive Summary-------------------------------------------------------- 7
Objective of the study----------------------------------------------------- 8
Introduction------------------------------------------------------------------ 9
Preface ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 12
Chapter 1: Tutor Report------------------------------------------------ 14
1.1 Perspective based on value, beliefs and circumstances.
1.2 System of Inquiry
1.3 Concept of Hierarchy
1.4 Description about Child labor
1.5 Applying BECM
1.6 Ethicality statement
1.7 Applying HSM method
1.8 Applying SSM method
1.9 MBTI
Chapter 2: Client Report-------------------------------------------------- 56
•
Summary of the situation and finding recommendations to solve it
Chapter 3: Project log------------------------------------------------------- 63
3.1 Weekly summary
3.2 Reflection
Chapter 4: Major lessons learned from Lebanon’s----------------- 74
experiences on child labor
Chapter 5: Appendix ----------------------------------------------------Chapter 6: References -------------------------------------------------
75
77
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Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Child labor, which is the work of children under the age of 18, is becoming
a global problem as it isn’t only a problem in developing countries, but in
fact children routinely work in all industrialized countries and hazardous
forms of child labor can be found in many countries. So, it is not only just a
problem it is more than that; we can define it as a mess situation because it
includes a huge number of children who are forced to work by their parents.
Our project will highlight on this issue in Lebanon specifically in North
Lebanon where working children are found mostly in the districts of Tripoli,
Akkar and Minyeh (91-97 percent of working children in this region).
Children in North Lebanon are paying a heavy and disproportionate price
as a result for the lack of monitoring and control by the government and as
a result of poverty, poor services, crowded living conditions, and mainly of
the long-running political crisis in the country.
This report outlines the economic, health, psychosocial and cultural
dimensions of children’s lives in the Tripoli Strip. Also, it includes the main
findings of a survey conducted to assess the type of services provided by
the target of governmental and nongovernmental institutions. The study
revealed that majority of children lack adequate educational, cultural,
recreational and health services and therefore are increasingly vulnerable
to behavioral, physical and psychosocial harm. This is especially true given
the absence of the government comprehensive program that can protect
Tripoli children from harm and danger.
The study also shows how the institutions such as UNICEF, SOS, AUXILIA
concerned with children in the city of Tripoli are powerful of support
capacity building programs to improve their effectiveness attention to child
protection rights, laws, services and guidelines.
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Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan The study’s main objectives are:
1. Describe health, nutritional, educational, and social status of Tripoli’s
urban children, differentiated by gender, age groups (10-13 years), (1417 and selected socio-economic characteristics.
2. Develop a profile of key institutions that are working with children in
urban and semi-urban areas of Tripoli including the key actors and
stakeholders. The profile includes public, semi-public, non-governmental
and private institutions active in child protection and welfare. It also tackles
the potential role of municipal offices including those who don't have the
mandate for addressing children’s issues. The profile also covers the types
of programs offered; reviews successful programs worth replicating (in
particular those protecting the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups);
describes areas of overlap and duplication between institutions; and
outlines the resources available to these institutions and the obstacles they
face.
3. Find solutions in order to reduce this dilemma, because it is a big crisis
against children.
4. Using the Hard System Method (HSM) and the Soft System Method
(SSM), in order to solve the problem and to make the analysis clear easier
and well planned.
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Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Introduction
All human beings have the right to live free, to have security in their life, to
make a family and to marry, to own a property, to learn, work, rest and
leisure. All human beings have the right to have an adequate standard of
living and security. Unfortunately this is not the case in our life, as we live in
a world of poverty, war, discrimination, slavery, and crime.
Child labor is a pervasive problem in today's world and it has great and
negative effects on various sides of life: the first impact is on the personal
level of the child, second on the family level, then on the social level and
finally on the development economic level. And I see that we cannot stop it
because it is resulted from many reasons .As a mess, child labor is a wide
and big phenomenon that is not limited to a defined timescale or place, in
which it involves a large number of people everywhere. Child labor is a
complex problem that is greatly expanding across the globe. It is something
we should not remain silent of, as it attacks our children that will become
the future of the world, and of societies. Children ought to grow in healthy
and safe environment where they learn and enjoy their childhoods instead
of being engaged in exploitative child labor. (Child labor in Lebanon, 1997)
Child labor is the work for children under the age of 18. This work could be
paid or unpaid. Many of these children are not only being exploited, they
are often being denied education, basic health care, adequate nutrition,
leisure time ,safety and security of their families and communities.
You can find children in almost every work fields. They work in agriculture,
many works as domestics; they also work in trade and services, with fewer
in manufacturing and construction. Also in some countries they use
children as soldiers, and such abuses can be found in Angola, Colombia,
Congo, Liberia, Sudan and Uganda. (Child labor in Lebanon, 1997)
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Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Photo:
Hamza Haj Hassan/IRIN
"I do hope for a better life. But I’m stuck here. Even if
I could leave I would be lost."
Children are almost used in every work fields. Unacceptable forms of
exploitation of children at work exist and persist, but they are particularly
difficult to research due to their hidden, sometime illegal or even criminal
nature. Slavery, debt bondage, trafficking, sexual exploitation, the use of
children in the drug trade and in armed conflict, as well as hazardous work
are all defined as worst forms of child labor.
Photo:
Hugh Macleod/IRIN
"Ziad got me selling marijuana, then cocaine and
heroin. I started smoking marijuana and when I was
stoned Ziad used to sell me to men for sex."
Alaa Abdel Karim al-Bouz, 21, is the oldest resident in the Home
of Hope orphanage.
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Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan As it’s obvious there’s no universally accepted definition of child labor but at
the end they all have the same concept but different ways of illustrating the
facts & after all each describes what he sees from his own perspective. It is
a serious issue to tackle especially that is greatly expanding across globe,
becoming a social problem. Hence the problem of child labor has received
extensive attention in the last few years, & on different levels.
‫؟‬
This was one of the reasons that made me attractive to discuss this issue
since it has a great impact on us & on the society as a whole. In addition to
all these I wanted to be unique in choosing the subject & child labor
seemed the right choice since wherever you go or travel to different
countries rich or poor starting from the suburbs moving to the cities ,
children are being exploited in a bad & harmful way where in fact they
should be ought to grow up in a healthy environment & enjoy their
childhood. Not mentioning also the statistics which are really terrifying & if
kept in an increasing way, things will be definitely tolerable.
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Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Child labor is reported as one of the social problems in Lebanon,
especially in underserved urban neighborhoods of the major cities and in
rural areas. For this reason, I choose it as the topic of my project where I
will try to study it from different angles in order to find ways to avoid the bad
effects of such messy situation.
I gather data and information about this mess from a variety of sources
and references: the ministry of social affairs, the ministry of labor, Internet,
magazines, personal information, books, brochures, non government
organizations, meeting with working child...
My project will be divided into three parts: the tutor report, the client report
and the project log.
The Tutor Report: here, I will describe my aim of choosing this topic as
well as the aim of my project. Then I will explain the child labor messy
situation in details: its causes, the main stakeholders, its bad
consequences and its implications and its contributions to many social
problems . . . then I will start treating it by introducing a system of inquiry of
the main stakeholders, the next step will be using the HSM methodology
which is a learning process that allows introducing changes and
improvements to get to the final objective which is solving this mess. In this
regard I will use the SSM since it is effective. So, why I choose these two
methods and not one of them because as a system practitioner I
found that each one completes the other one. And the success of this
strategy lied in the understanding of the complexity through being
aware of it which had lead to decisions and actions. I intended to use
the soft systems method (SSM) to analyze and solve the complexities
emerged from the situation, through a process of inquiry with a
number of distinct stages, passage through which is usually iterative
rather than linear. Moreover this method can help us to identify the
messy situation because it can define it in a systemic way.
Furthermore, I want to apply the (HSM), in order to be more precise in
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Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan my study because this method has a great value in planning and
evaluating a formal and quantitative format for the project context and
to take into consideration the technical issues. Never missing some
important concepts and tools such as: BECM, SWOT analysis, reflection
before, in and after practice, & ethicality statement...
The Client Report: which will be a briefing document aimed to my client
written in an easy language without using any of the technical words that I
mentioned in the tutor report. It is done to be sold to my clients by
introducing options for changes and recommendations coming out of my
study.
Project Log: it is the story of my project in weekly bases detailing my
progress in achieving the project production period.
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Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan The aim of my project is to highlight on a very big complexity that is
threatening our country & to discuss it, from various perspectives, trying to
study all its causes, aspects and results, over the Lebanese people, and
how it affects the economy due to the lack of awareness on children, that
are considered the heart of every dynamic country.
Also the other reason why I chose this complexity is because it touches
every one of us, where every one in Lebanon is meant by this issue,
whether an individual, a group , an agency or even the government , are all
considered as stakeholders, who should hold responsibility in order to find
a solution for this problem.
I am well aware that I am not analyzing certain performance in an
organization; I am discussing a severe social problem which threatens the
stability of the society, but many messy situations whether in the work
place or in personal life have communication problems at their heart.
Therefore communication among all parties is needed& required in order to
overcome this problem.
In the domain of sustainable development, me as a system practitioner I
must respect other perspectives, which will help me to understand more the
situation and be aware more about what is happening. Therefore, to
understand and practice sustainable development, the perspectives must
be apparent and clear, so, to make this I have to take into consideration the
values, beliefs and circumstances (Christine Blackmore, Ray Ison and Jack
Chapmon, 2005, pp: 37) that in turn affect the way I conceptualize the worldour world views. There are many stakeholders with an interest in
maintaining an interconnected set of activities (system) and many of these
stockholders will have different interests in the same system depending on
their value, belief and circumstances. In this term, because I’m a system
practitioner I’m going to talk about my own values, beliefs and
circumstances.
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Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Value: child labor is on the top of the problems in Lebanon, which it if
solved will lead to valuable country through good future generations.
Belief: my belief is that child labor contributes to social, security problems
also causing healthy effects on the child, it is causing huge uncontrollable
consequences, everyone in Lebanon should try to reduce the amount of
children who work by his own way and government should apply rules and
regulations strictly to get out of this problem.
Circumstance: I am a Lebanese citizen who is suffering from the bad
consequences of child labor, and who have wide knowledge about this
problem that allow me to treat it in my senior project at my university.
Moreover, the notion of “hierarchy” (Christine Blackmore, Ray Ison and Jack
Chapmon, 2005, pp: 20) is central in the domain of sustainable development,
where individual actions are relevant to a range of levels. That’s why as a
system practitioner it is helpful to me to recognize different system levels to
work out how to facilitate the interactions. So, I should recognize the
importance of the whole system and different sub – systems, by asking
myself what should be the system in focus? How I can select the right
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Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan method to manage this complexity? And why this mess is important within
the wider system?
As we know that child labor is a big problem that Lebanon faced it, of
course this is related to the role of government where there is a lack of
control and monitoring to punish the parents who beat their children to work
in order to gain money because of poverty, here my wider system is
Lebanon. As this dilemma has a great effect in North Lebanon and
because it has the highest number of statistics, I take it as my system in
focus in order to reduce it in size. But to reduce it I used methods which
helped me to take the right decisions, these methods are my sub –
system. All these levels will help me to achieve what is called: Doing
(what) by (how) in order to (why).
In addition, as a system practitioner I should be a systemic thinker that can
visualize the complexity in a holistic view in order to understand everything
about the events to be aware about the complexity by improving the system
of interest with the right of the new understanding which will lead to action.
That’s why my work should depends on how I can formulate a system of
interest, situation of interest, system of inquiry and worldview in a variety
and interconnectedness way in order to deal with the world.
So I have to be responsible to make changes in a better way where
members are involved and co created beginning with what is the systemic
intervention that is conceived as a well defined approach to understand a
situation, develop a model of the structure responsible for the situation.
Moreover, I must have the ability to understand the interrelationship of
ideas or elements in relation to the whole. This what allows me to develop
knowledge and understand systems thinking and systems practice to
better be aware of situations experienced as being complex, and control
their enhancement, develop skills for thinking and acting systemically
(holistically) to be pleased about and recover information systems,
environmental decision making, managing sustainable development and
professional practice as well as enhancing my ability to use systems
thinking and practice through the use of tools, methods and methodologies
that can be used to improve practice and develop my systems to carry out
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Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan the tasks related to projects that use systems thinking and practice. In this
project, my purpose is to manage the complexity of child labor in order
to put solutions that can be implemented in the near future. Here my
purpose was the system of interest which became a complexity that
needs to be managed under the title of situation of interest. Because
I’m aware that this complexity must be solved in a systemic way starting
with investigation where I had started with collecting data as well as being
conscious of applying the suitable methods which are the HSM and SSM,
here my intervention is not based on an invitation but it was based on a
method of inquiry (Rosalind Armson, 2005, pp: 46). Moreover, because
my problem is social I take into consideration other perspectives where
people are engaged too, to solve this problems, so I didn’t debate the
stakeholders but I dialogue them and I decided what should be the solution
according to their point of views, this was the worldview that allow me to
live the situation as I’m engaged and suffer of. In sequence, to be
professional in my work I should linkage between system of interest,
situation of interest, system of inquiry and world view which each one of
them is affected by the other one.
What is the approach I will
adopt to my situation
Which methodology will I
use to help reflect on the
methods and techniques I
use?
The range available of (X)
methods that I apply to the
situation that fits in with the
chosen approach
An activity sequence diagram of
approaches, methodologies, methods
and techniques/ tools for my project.
Given my chosen approach and
method what tools and techniques will
enable me to plan effectively through
my case
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Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Description of Child labour:
Definitions and statistics: Child labour is defined as paid or unpaid work
and includes “activities that are mentally, physically, socially, or morally
dangerous and harmful to children”.
It is usually limited to boys and girls up to the minimum age for
employment, which is 14 years in Lebanon. However, many surveys and
studies elect to include children up to 17 or even 18 years of age
specifically to address the intolerable and abusive forms of child labor as
defined in the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) Worst Forms of
Child Labor Convention, 1999 (No. 182).
Children ought to grow in healthy and safe environments where they learn
and enjoy their limited years of innocence before they join the ranks of
adulthood and the labour force. Work, if any, should be limited to light
activities that prepare boys and girls to meet the challenges of adulthood
rather than to replace adults. Child labour in Lebanon is not a new
phenomenon and has long been recognized as undesirable. Protective
laws for children date back to 1946. On a legal level, any child that begs for
charity on the streets or who has left their family home is classified as a
vagrant and subject to criminal law. Most children on the streets spend
their days selling trinkets or begging for their parents/other family members
before returning home at night. However, there is a small number for whom
the street is their permanent residence, and these are usually children who
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Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan have suffered emotional and/or physical abuse within their families due to
poverty, overcrowding, or family disintegration.
1. Geographical Distribution
In Lebanon, North of Lebanon has the greatest proportion of child labor.
So, child labor is observed to be most prominent in more remote and
poorer regions of the country. It is officially recorded to be higher in the
Bekaa, North and South Lebanon than it is in Beirut.
Officials’ statistics indicate that the region of north Lebanon encompasses
more than 50 percent of working children aged 10-14 years, followed by
Mount Lebanon (17 percent), Bekaa (11 percent), south Lebanon (9
percent) and Beirut (8 percent). In the north, working children are found
mostly in the districts of Tripoli, akkar and minyeh (91-97 percent of
working children in this region). Whereas Beirut southern suburbs
encompass the highest percentage of working in the region of mount
Lebanon. In this region, the districts of baabda and metn have the highest
proportion of working children, more specifically, bourj barajneh in baabda
and Bourj hammoud in metn. In the Bekaa, Baal beck alone has 55 percent
of working children. As for the south, Tyre and Sidon have 100 percent of
working children.
We find in the districts of Tripoli, Akkar and Mnieh only 97% of working
children in northern Lebanon.
Official records indicate that most working children are male (88% of
working children between the ages of 10-14 years and 86% of those
between the ages of 15-19 years). The highest proportion of children of
female workers, are recorded in Akkar and the outskirts of East Beirut. And
also, according to a study conducted by the United Nations Children's Fund
(UNICEF) on child labor in 1995 claimed that 43% of those entering the
labor market at an early age (10-13 years), while starting 21 % of them
work before the age of ten. (Child labor, 1997)
2. Sectors Distribution
The industry and commerce sectors attract the largest proportion of
working children. Officials figures indicate that most working children are
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Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan employed in the industrial sector (46 percent) followed by commerce,
repairs, and maintenance (31 percent). Eleven percent of working children
are reported to be employed in the agriculture sector, and five percent work
in construction.
The proportion of children working in agriculture is highest in the districts of
Hermel and Akkar, while work in the industry sector is most significant in
Bab tebbaneh and minyeh.
I would like to mention here that not all work is bad for children, a
child who delivers newspapers before school might actually benefit
from learning how to work, gain responsibility, and earn a bit of
money.
Regularity of Work
With regard to duration of work, it is found that 80% of working children
have permanent jobs, while 20% of them have seasonal or irregular work.
The proportion of children with irregular or seasonal work is highest in
Akkar, Tyre, Baalbeck (rural regions characterized by work in agriculture).
4. Educational Level of Working Children
The majority of working children have low school enrolment rates, dropping
out of school as result of failure in their studies. Consequently, as a result
of dropping out of school children begin working. 37.5 percent of working
children are illiterate or not have finished their elementary education.
5. Gender Distribution
The results of the survey indicate that the proportion of females among the
working children group is lower than the proportion of males in the overall
labor force. Indeed, while the latter is about 21%, the former ranges
between 10 and 12%. Hence, in Lebanon as a whole, 88% of children aged
10-13 years are boys and the remaining 12% are girls. The proportion of
working girls is highest in Akkar (34%). As for the 14-17 years age group,
86% of them are boys and 14% are girls.
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Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan 6. Nationality Distribution
About 92.5 percent of working children are Lebanese. The remaining
children are of Arab nationalities, mainly Palestinians from the camps in
Lebanon or Syrians who cross the border into Lebanon with their families.
7. Salaries Rate
The majority of working children are paid very low salaries, all of them
earning rates below the minimum wage rate declared by the government.
Also, they are not covered by health or medical insurance, nor are they
entitled to indemnities.
Causes of Child Labor:
1. Poverty
The most widely accepted cause of child labor is poverty. The majority of
Lebanese children work as a result of economic need (50 percent). So, the
children were obliged to work in order to help their families, and bring in
additional income to their families.
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Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan 2. Poor Socio-economic Backgrounds
Working children come from poor socio-economic backgrounds. Statistics
show that 66 percent of parent of working children aged 10-13years are
either illiterate or barely know to read and write. This is especially true in
Akkar, Tripoli, Zahle, and Hermel. So, the majority of households of
working children are poorly literate.
3. Lack of Educational Resources
Lack of educational resources has been identified as an important root
cause of child labor.
Children in most villages have an access to basic schooling since the
majority of villages have elementary schools. However, intermediate and
secondary schools are not easily accessible within villages, and youth
wishing to continue their education need to search for educational
opportunities outside their own villages. This usually decreases chances for
educational attainment as the related costs are high compared to rural
households’ incomes. Also, poor families who intend to give their children
an education in the public system cannot always do so for many reasons.
In addition to that, as children move up in school, the annual educational
costs and the costs of books increase substantially, hence, the financial
burden on their parents increases. This leads to conclusion that low-income
families with a large number of children who perceive public education as
being a financial burden tend to remove their older children from school
and sent them to work, keeping only the younger and less costly ones in
school.
4. Family Size
In general, Lebanese working children come from large, poor families. 91
percent consist of 5 to 10 members.
5. The political aspect
The political crisis in Lebanon at the regional level or at the community
level, which has many disadvantage at all levels. These were the causes of
child labor. These causes are interconnected; we can’t find a cause that
isn’t related to another one. All have connections between each other.
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Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Effects of child labor:
Personal Effects
When a child leaves school in order to work and helps his family, this
will affect him especially when he will see other children going to school,
and having a natural life.
On the psychological side, he will be distress and has a feeling of misery
and denial.
Concerning health, working children complained of health problems, such
as allergies, backache, headaches or respiratory problems. Also, they are
exposed to lasting physical harm.
In addition to that, working children are shown to have a higher tendency to
smoke
Family Effects
On the family effect, the cheap salary that a child obtains isn’t going to
improve the family income. However, this work will lead to a relation
disorder between the parent and the child, especially between the father
and his child. As the child has become a partner in providing the family
resources, so by time he wants to make decisions in his family, and this
might lead to conflict with his parent. Also, this conflict will lead to the child
run away from home.
Social Effects
On the social side, the working children are exposed to meet ‘bad’ people
and gangs that will use them in illegal works. This will lead to the worst
forms of child labor which is drug trade, prostitution, robbery, etc…. by this,
working children will enter a world of aberration and crime.
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Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Economical Effects
From an economical point of view, child labor is a waste of youth
production capacity which could be beneficial if the right circumstances and
the necessary attention were available.
The Lebanese Labor Law
The concern of the Lebanese government with child labor, securing
prevention, protection, and convenient care in the different types of their
work, even if it is less sufficient, refers to more than 50 years when the
Lebanese labor law was issued in 1946.
The Lebanese Labor Law of 1946 prohibited the employment of children
less than 18 years old. Children were also prohibited from working in
mechanical and other industries deemed dangerous to their health.
Working hours were restricted and night work was prohibited. Employers
were required to issue a medical certificate ensuring a child’s ability to do
the assigned work.
Lebanon has also revised regulations concerning child labor. Changes
reflected in the Lebanese labor law include:
•Raising the minimum age for work from 8 to 13 complete years.
•Prohibiting the employment of children without a prior medical examination
to ensure the capability of the child to perform the work.
•Conducting follow-up medical examinations until age 18.
•Prohibiting the use of children below 15 in industries or exhausting
occupations that are dangerous to their health.
•Requiring employers to give children below 16 years of age an annual paid
vacation that is not less than 21 days.
•Ensuring the right of working children to have breaks, inter-shift rest hours,
and vacations.
•Prohibiting the employment of children during holidays.
•Prohibiting evening and night work, i.e., work hours that extend from 7:00
pm to 7:00 am.
The above regulations limit the access of boys and girls to the world of paid
work, especially dangerous occupations, and ensure their rights to paid
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Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan vacations and periodic physical examinations. These regulations also
should make it less lucrative for employers to use children.
These regulations have many legal mistakes. Some of these mistakes are
specifying different low wages by which children could be used or work in
industries and exhausting occupations. Also, the law doesn’t restrict the
employer to pay the minimum wage rate unless the employee is 20 years
old, and children that work in homes (domestic work) can’t benefit from the
law of labor. In addition to that, such regulations are not enforced because
of the lack of governmental supervision. Many children still work in an
illegal work, and in dangerous work environment. Also, a lot of employers
don’t register the name of working children in the national social security,
and the penalties put by the government are ineffective.
The failure of government to apply these regulations could be related to
bureaucracy that is found in her structure. This structure limits employee’s
ability to react.
Unit for the Combat of Child Labor
It’s a specialized unit, within the ministry of labor, concerned with the fight
against child labor and with its progressive elimination. Its objective is to
raise awareness on hazardous child labor and to coordinate efforts
between the different government administrations and the regional and
international organizations. The reason for the establishment of this unit
was the magnitude and the negative impact of the child labor problem on
society as a whole.
UNICEF
UNICEF’s (http://www.unicef.org/lebanon/stop.htm) mission is to advocate
for the protection of children rights, to help meet their basic need and to
expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF is guided in
doing by the provisions and principles of the convention on the rights of the
child.
Strategies used by UNICEF in order to solve child labor problem have
included:
25
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan 1- Advocacy:
• -studies on the prevalence of child labor, its characteristics and the
effects of child labor on the physical and mental health of working
children.
• Advocacy for changes in the laws governing child labor.
• Advocacy on the implementation of the legislation on free and
compulsory education.
• Training of media professionals on child labor and intensive mass
media campaign.
2- Capacity building:
• Capacity building of the national counterparts, both governmental and
nongovernmental to deal with child labor, notably in the phases of
situation assessment at field level, mobilization of resources and
interventions.
3- Service delivery:
• Mobilization of the schools belonging to the ministry of vocational and
technical education to provide education to working children.
• Mobilization of the social workers in social development centers of
the ministry of social affairs to work on the issue of child labor.
4- Empowerment:
• Provision of school chance education opportunities, notably
accelerated vocational training and development of basic skills to
working children.
• Provision of functional literacy and numeric to illiterate working
children.
UNICEF’s action for solutions is very important. It covers the problem from
the most of its sides. This success could be related to the way of working,
and the use of the bottom-up approach where every employee participates
and gives his opinion.
26
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Besides, I choose to deal with this complexity through the systemic learning
cycle BECM, passing through the four balls and trying to handle the case
such as a system practitioner.
In the first ball (B), being systematically aware from the various
consequences of such an issue (child labor) where it leads to various
changes causing severe results on the economy & the society of Lebanon
as a whole where such consequences are:
• It will contribute to many social problems “drugs, theft, criminal
• They will be more exposed to diseases and health problems; also
they will lose their home or shelter.
• They will be exploited either by their parents or their employers
• Reflecting negatively on the country's economy (GDP), by which all
the production in our country will decrease at all levels (industrial,
agricultural, tourism…)
Simultaneously we will lose the productive and creative classes in our
society which are the future generation.
However I'll provide in the first stage "Being" a spray diagram(Andy
Lane, 2004, pp: 59, 62), in order to light over the problem & its direct
causes in order to try in the later stages of the Learning cycle to find a
solution that may lead to solve it. This is an assembly of information based
on research and some interviews and of course from some welfare
institution. It provides an overview of facts and aspects in a loosely
structured way.
So, I draw a spray diagram representing the mess to show the structure of
the child labor, and identify the different interrelationships between
stakeholders and their effect on the case, as a result sensing the mess will
become easier & considers less time. For that reason, Communication &
flow of information is crucial to maintain the continuing existence of the
subject. Having good communication skills improve our work & can make
our job easier, more effective & more rewarding.
To develop further techniques that support the first ball, let’s return to the
real world situation, there is iteration of my system of thinking and the
conceptual model, and this is evidence to the gap after the reflection of the
questioner that I have, a SWOT analysis arise because the last one
describe in details the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
27
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Strengths:
1.Contribution to child labour response goals through observation of this
problem locally and internationally.
2. Helping a large number of working children will strongly relate to
improvements in future generations and will surely lead to more
progressive country.
Weaknesses:
1. Availability of donating institutions: social services are costly, so
implementing it needs contributions from a lot of resources.
2. The practical application of existing laws in Lebanon is an important
factor that is not well enforced and respected.
Opportunities:
Public awareness: through media broadcasting and through seminars
about this problem which will in turn motivate people to donate and help
those labour children on their own ways.
Threats:
1.Adequacy of gathering information and statistics.
2. Acceptance of child to talk frankly about their situation.
3. Barriers of the government or international help.
Moving forward to the next ball Engaging (E) in the complexity and being
involved by applying the hard system method HSM, to see the real
causes that lead to child labor, where I need to understand what made the
client aware of the problem? My commitment in the problem and why does
the client wants me to do this?
Initiating a process of inquiry:
Who caused this study to happen? In fact, me as a student of T306, being
motivated by my-tutor-or the university I choose Child labor complexity as
my senior project. Finding solutions for this mess necessity me to have
open discussion with all those involved directly or indirectly in the situation,
those are called: Stakeholders. In this regard I will start my analysis by
initiating a process of inquiry which is problematic in itself however I will
use SSM as guiding process for analysis of stakeholders’ perceptions of
problems and how collaborative management of a project might be
developed. I need time to establish meetings between me and different
28
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan stakeholders but this was, a crucial period to connect with them and to
know more about their opinions.
The process of logic-driven inquiry of SSM was applied as follows:
I. Determine key stakeholders and their responsibilities.
2. Determine stakeholders’ perceptions of problems and opportunities.
3. Derive key transformations from opportunities identified.
4. Develop models of human activity systems for a range of worldviews.
5. Use these models to support planning discussions between
stakeholders.
6. Monitor ongoing planning and implementation.
So by this I can say that I achieved one of a successful system
practitioners tasks which is the reflection before action.
Besides, I need time to establish meetings between different stakeholders
but this was, a crucial period to connect with them and to know more about
their opinions.
So, In order to extend my understanding to the child labor problem in
Lebanon specifically in North Lebanon (24/4/2009), I made interviews
with two working children.
Fadi and Huda: Two real cases
The first case was Huda. When Huda was 13 her father, a construction
worker, became paralyzed. There was no work in her remote poor
village in north Lebanon, so she had to leave home and go to Tripoli.
There she got a job in a small sewing factory. She was miserable
having to leave home and frightened of going to the big city, but she
had no alternative. Because she didn’t know anything about sewing,
her employer had to provide her training. This training, however, did
not come free, Huda had to pay for the training by doing domestic
work, washing clothes and cleaning for her employer. Huda’s pay was
about LBP300 thousand, out of which she had to send LBP200
thousand for her parent. Huda worked 12 hours per day, and when the
factory had big orders, she had to work more than that. Huda is
bother from the way the employer treats her, he always shouts at her,
29
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan and verbal abuse is also used, and he doesn’t listen or asks her if she
wants or needs anything.
So, she always tries to avoid interpersonal confrontations and
discussions with her boss.
Huda feels that her work has deprived her of leisure time since she
has no spare time for playing with friends, and she wishes that
someone comes and helps her, and that she lives as other children in
her age.
While Huda was telling me her story, I related her talks to two
concepts group that we worked on in our course. First, when she
talked about doing extra work to her employer in order to have
training, this remembered me to the invisible power concept. Also,
when she mentioned the point about the climate of her work, I related
it to the defensive climate concept.
The second case was about Fadi. Fadi is 14. He lives with his mother
and four brothers in Beirut southern suburb. His mother makes
domestic work and his father has left the family. Fadi’s family has
moved a lot from one place to another. Because of the many moves,
Fadi’s schooling has been erratic, and when he has attended school,
he has had many discipline problems.
At the age of 10, Fadi began working as a porter and street vendor. He
gets up at 5:30 in the morning and goes to the market. There he works
unloading produce and meat trucks. The truckers pay him a little, but
give him vegetables and fruit, or meat, which he then sells in the
market. The child vendors don’t have permits, so they are always on
the look out for guards. If they get caught, they get beaten and chased
off the market.
Fadi’s work is exhausting, but his earning helps buy food and clothes
for the family. Fadi is optimistic. And hopes go back to school one
day.
Fadi is bothered from waking up early in the morning, having to work
long hours. Furthermore, he feels very tired after working for long
hours.
30
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Fadi put the responsibility on his father, and he says that if he still
with them, they could have a better life. (Interviews in North of Lebanon,
24/4/2009)
Otherwise, regarding my Ethicality Statement that I can consider as an
introduction to limit this issue could be accomplished through:
As a practitioner of project management, I am committed to do what is right
& honorable. I set high standards for my self and I aspire to meet these
standards in all aspects in service to my profession. In carrying out my
project, views and experiences of any stakeholder in the situation through
the survey or interviews are admired, acknowledged, respected. None of
the information is used for personal interest. All gathered information from
websites; books are reference to protect the peavey. Overall, the ethical
decision making in this project carry out the following:
• Identify the problem
• Apply the Code of Ethics
• Determine the nature and dimensions of the dilemma
• Generate potential Courses of action
• Consider the potential consequences of all options
• Choose a course action and consult with the client
• Evaluate the selected course of action
31
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan • All Views and voices of children are of great value and are taken into
consideration, in order to make the government provide support for
them
• Information can be shared only if it was already published or if the
people who give the information allow us to do so.
• The researcher will consider the causes and aspects that all others
bring to the research taking into consideration in this complexity the
necessity to:
• Provide good social security systems.
• Provide education, shelter, & all what those children need.
• This research is expected to help the Lebanese society with all its
parts to realize the importance of this problem and how much it is
affecting our life.
• The whole situation will be presented precisely as everything really
happen in the ground, in the real world, without any changes in details
that serve part of the society and ignore the other.
Besides, an ethicality statement sets out ethical aspirations-the values that
someone aspires to in their work. They are the values that are important to
the individual as they tackle a task within their multi-membership of several
communities of practice. Systems practitioners typically engage with
complexity by taking a broad view. They attempt to understand complexity
by looking at the situation-of-interest from a number of perspectives. This
leads the systems practitioners to address the perspectives of a number of
different stakeholders who inhabit diverse of communities of practice. Thus,
the systems practitioner will encounter different expectations about
appropriate and acceptable ways of behaving. This entire means that the
systems practitioner may find themselves had drawn into multi-membership
of, or association with, a number if communities of practice. This can lead
to ethical dilemmas with the systems practitioner positioned at the nexus of
sets of differing assumptions and expectations about how they should
behave. Getting out of the dilemma can call on all the reflective resources
at the systems practitioner’s disposal.
32
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan A system map represents code of ethics
Proceeding to the third ball (C) contextualizing that I will try to maintain it
in air beside the others two balls: B & E : the main objective is to see what
went wrong and learn how to avoid it in the future, thus the purpose of
applying the HSM to the project is to show how systems tools can be used
to make complex situations more understandable. Thus HSM consists of
eight stages which I'm going to pass through them all in applying
approaches to deal with the situation.
So, as I have some understandings of the complexity, and having
identified my objectives clearly towards handling child labour in
Lebanon and try to spot light on it in order to reduce this messy
situation. I can apply the HS-method, which requires a definition of
the problem/requirement before analysis begins.
33
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Stage 1: system description
We have a complexity which is the Child labor. Many causes lead to it, it
has many uncontrollable consequences, and it is a big problem where
many are involved. It is important here to have a solid foundation or
baseline from which to work. A system map summarizes, in a structured
way, the various subsystems which make up a system of interest relevant
to the analysis. Taking the understanding created by the two diagrams it
seems evident that everything is related to the role of government. A
system description is therefore conceptualized as a system to describe the
situation in better way in order to reduce it effects. This system
encapsulates, in a structural way, the various systems (or sub – system
depending on what level they are being considered) which make up a
system of interest which is relevant to the analysis of the system map
(Andy Lane, 2004, pp: 65, 67, 69, and 71) I draw a system map that
shows the essential components of the situation and it is considered to be
an early stage of analysis to clarify the issue. As this system considers
different parts or subsystems that interact forming relationships, which are
the causes,effects, laws, statistics, & stakeholders. In addition to that, there
are two components that have direct and big connection to child labor, and
those are the parent and the government.
As for the environment, the components are the Ministry of Labor,
economic situation, civil society organizations, UNICEF, globalization, and
& NGOs. The notion of hierarchy, level and emergent properties is central
to much system thinking, although it takes numerous forms. Hierarchy is
considered in this situation, where each part can be treated as a system
itself. Besides , It should put the scenario in the context of the Child Labor
34
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan brief better, if the reasons why it sees the need to reduce this dilemma that
should be clarified. This question is explored in a multiple cause diagram
(Andy Lane, 2004, pp: 65, 67, 69, and 71). From this it can be seen that
there are many and varied reasons all culminating in the desire of reducing
child labor.
Stage 2: identifying of objectives & constraints:
Taking the system description and applying the understanding of the
scenario with a working knowledge of how this mess could be studied in a
better way in order to reduce it.
The objective is to find a way, solution or method that if applied will solve
the child labor problem in Lebanon, In this regard I find that collaboration
between all above stakeholders will be the most appropriate solution and is
the best method that could be fruitful here. In fact it is so hard to apply this
method because there are many people involved and we can’t control
everything, add to that the government which is the main element.
Objectives:
Elimination of child labour
Constraints:
The involvement of a high number of stakeholders as (Child Labor Laws,
International Organizations, Children’s Defense Fund, ILO, Ministry of
internal affair, ministry of social affair, ministry of labor , NGO’s(
S.O.S, Caritas, Auxilia), non-government and civil society
organizations , media , local government , Kolona Masoul Foundation
in North Lebanon & media), each one has his own perspective,
worldview, opinion, although they have the same purpose but the way to
achieve or implement the solutions are different, here the difficulty is
occurring to try to move toward different stakeholders in order to find the
suitable solutions. Also there was other difficulty, which is the need to
35
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan synchronize the free time in order to meet them. Also the political situation
of Lebanon is considered a constraint to achieve the above objective.
Stage 3: Generation of Routes to objectives:
Routes to objectives, which represent ideas for how the chosen objective
might be achieved, are now generated. This is a process often involving
visualization, creativity and ingenuity, particularly when considering a
problem to be solved. In this case the routes to objectives are many but the
difficult is in implementing them.
¾ Meeting with children and take into consideration their hopes also
knowing their parents situation.
¾ Meeting with employers to know more specifically about the
kind of work, the working hours, the salaries, and the medical
test before working….
¾ Establish summer camps to transfer street children from urban
setting to safer and more relaxing environments
¾ Educate Lebanese society about the phenomenon of street
children through sustained awareness-raising programmers
¾ Amend and enforce legal articles concerning children’s issues
to conform to international standards
¾ Try to implement the free and mandatory elementary
education.
¾ Establish special rehabilitation centers for street girls
¾ Take into consideration the effective participation of media in
highlighting the contraventions, negligence, or oppression of
children.
¾ Raising family income.
¾ Providing social services that help children and families
survive crises such as diseases, or loss of home or
shelter.
36
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Stage 4: Formulating measures of performance
Before setting routes to objectives there must be criteria or standards that
according to it we can weigh the values of these routes. So HSM
emphasizes the need to have a measurable means of assessing the
effectiveness of the potential solutions. In order to forecast the likely
outcome of adopting any particular course of action based on the chosen
objective, key quantifiable and practical variable are identified. They must
be capable of being used as output variables from any model or models
constructed in the next stage and being appropriate for evaluating, in a
quantitative way, recommendations for change. HSM emphasize the need
to have a measurable means of assessing the effectiveness of any
potential solution, Decision, or design in achieving the desired objective.
The measures of performance are: Cost, Time Consuming, and Risk
Failure.
Free and Mandatory Elementary Education
Cost
The cost of implementing this system is very high (5 billion) also the
application of a new system necessitates bringing donations and help
from a lot of countries and organizations as the economic situation of the
country is not stable.
Time Consuming
The implementation of a new system by the ministry of education needs
collaboration between all ministers and between the parliament to take
approval from the people of the parliament to take decision also it needs
time to arrange issues between private and public schools so it take around
approximately (2 years). We need to ensure that this new system will be
acceptable by the all to work on.
37
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Risk of Failure
The risk failure for free and mandatory elementary education represents
10%. Once the decision is taken and once the decree enforced by the
government, no one can’t applied otherwise he will be punished so the
risk failure is not very high but the 10% is put for some unexpected
issues we face during implementation.
2. Raising Family Income
Cost
The cost of raising family incomes is very high (1 billion) because the
country through its bad situations is unable to raise the incomes of any
employer. The ministry of economy adversely decreases their wages.
Time Consuming
It takes a lot of time (1 year) to implement such a decision because it needs
arrangement with organizations and with all Member of Parliament to
implement it.
Risk of Failure
Here the risk failure is high as employers in many cases exploit the
employees if their wages increase by the addition of working hours or
letting them do more works (70 %).
3. Producing Social Services
Cost
The cost of providing social services is not very high comparing with the
above routes to objectives as here the implementation is not based on
government intervention, while it is based on people’s contributions, it is
based on donations (non government organizations) so it’s cost is
approximately (1 million)
38
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Time Consuming
Providing social services need a lot of time in order to make statistics about
the number of working children and the situation of each one of them also
the kind of help he need it so it takes approximately 10 months.
Risk of Failure
The risk failure is not very high except in case of some inaccurate
information or statistics, as here after gathering the situation of each child
the service is given whether it can be health service or free education or
something else so the risk failure is 5%
Stage 5: Modeling, how can I tell the outcomes?
The modeling stage of HSM concentrates on mathematical aspects of
modeling. Models are used to predict the behavior of the system of interest
when following particular routes to objectives.
Cost
Free and
mandatory
elementary
education
Raising family
income
Providing social
services
Risk failure
5 billion
Time
consuming
2 years
1 billion
1 year
70 %
1 million
10 months
5%
10%
39
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Stage 6: Evaluation, what are the likely outcomes?
According to the above matrix, we realize that providing social services are
the best route to objective “best choice” it is compromised.
The process of evaluation involves assessment of the likely outcomes of
taking the various routes to the objectives in terms of measures of
performance.
My preference as a system practitioner is the implementation of providing
social services because the other routes to objectives are not feasible now
because it has some aspects of rigidity. The best route is identified in terms
of the higher score that it has but this does not mean that applying it will be
the best option because there is always uncertainty in the environment and
constraints that prevent us applying it.
Stage 7: Choice of routes to objectives
As shown in the stage 6, the social services are the best objectives which
can achieved in a sustainable manner. Moreover regarding the modeling
stage, I can conclude that the best route can be providing social services to
child labor which cost less than the other routes also it don’t need a lot of
time and where the risk failure is not very high all these marks will lead to
fruitful results..
Stage 8: Implementation: ok, go ahead:
As a system practitioner I will implement this objective, in order to reduce this
complexity, and taking actions is the only way to apply and make all those models
come in to reality by contributing the various strategies displayed with the best
choices of routes and evaluating them precisely to get best results. Besides it is not
an end in itself, but it is a beginning of a new process of planning, controlling and
changing the activities to achieve the intended results.
40
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan The last ball (M) Managing is considered as a result of all stages and a
conclusion to what I previously did, thus the recommendations that I
mentioned as an objective and the constraints that prevent them from
happening, can be managed by applying the models and trying to actuate
more the role of the government in protecting child labor, thus providing
stability and safety to all the Lebanese citizens by increasing awareness in
them, and make every one hold responsibility of the consultants that are
happening in the country.
Since the HSM was found to fail in some cases, Peter Check land began
to develop a method that encompassed the soft perspective. Soft systems
thinking don't assume that the problems are out there in the world in a real
sense. Working from a soft perspective, there are no objectively given
problems, and that different people have different perspectives where some
agree on the nature of the given problem while and disagree on what
constitutes a solution, that’s why problems are unbound, unclear, and
uncertain.
As a consequence to the HSM I’ll use the Soft System Method (SSM) that
is used as a guiding process for an analysis of stakeholder's perception of
the problem, and its purpose is to design and manage a learning system
appropriate to the need of clients and the problem situation.
41
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan SSM is a process of inquiry developed during the 1970’s by Peter
CheckLand of Lancaster University. It is a qualitative technique that can be
used for applying System thinking to non-systemic situations. It is a way of
dealing with problem situations in which there is high social, political, and
human activity component. SSM can be demonstrated in this case by
overviews the use of SSM in a specific case and explores how it could be
integrated into the teaching of various subjects, SSM is seen to be holistic
than traditional IS analysis & design . Soft complexities could include both
messes & difficulties. SSM is a methodology that aims to bring about
improvement in areas of social concern by activating in the people involved
in the situation. The learning takes place through the iterative process of
using systems concepts to reflect upon and debate perceptions of the real
world, taking action in it, &again reflecting on the happenings using
systems concepts; it is consisted of seven stages.
I chose SSM because it makes serious use of system concepts to
solve complexities through a process of inquiry with a number of
distinct stages, passage through which is usually iterative rather than
linear. So, by applying the SSM, first of all I must be aware about the
situation not in systematic way but in a systemic way in order to take
everything into consideration and in details.
The process overall:
Here I have a situation in everyday life which is regarded by at least one
person as problematical: child labor. So, I have a feeling that the situation
should be managed in order to bring improvement. So what to be improved
and how to improve it need a lot of attention. Facing up to the problem are
42
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan some? What should be improved? And who are the users of SSM? They
are those persons motivated to improve the problem situation; the users of
SSM so those who will do the study and those people involved in the
process of problem handling.
In the domain of application I have to stop and highlight the logic-driven
stream of inquiry in which systems of interest are named; comparison with
real world is done. These comparisons serve to structure a debate about
change. Furthermore, I must show the culture steam analysis that consists
of examining the problem situation in three ways; intervention itself, social
steam and political steam.
Stage1: Problem situation unstructured
At the beginning of this project I had identified the process of logic-driven
inquiry of SSM for the stakeholders, and after applying the HSM I found
that making a meeting in which all stakeholders are involved and their
perceptions are discussed is essential to achieve a successful
implementation of the 4 methods:
1. Increase family incomes.
2. Education: that helps children learn skills that will help them
earn a living
3. Social services: that helps children, and families survive crises,
such as disease, or loss of home and shelter.
4. Family control of fertility: so that too many children do not
burden families.
I am acting here as a facilitator in the process where I decide on what
should be done but in the same time I allow stakeholders. So I’m dealing
with them by using the deciding with other stakeholders. In this regard, I
asked the ministry of education, the ministry of labor, the ministry of social
affairs, the ministry of economy in Lebanon and with child labor and non
government organizations to stride routes to objectives already discussed
in the HSM in order to get out by a collective and unified voice to the best
route. I did so because I think that those working in these sectors are those
who best know what root is the best to take.
43
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan I made a reflection-in-action to make sure that all stakeholders are
presented, no missing stakeholders, I pass to the next step.
Stage2: rich picture
Rich picture (Andy Lane, 2004, pp: 59, 62) is a tool to deepen our
understanding of complex situations and identify problems as well as the
interactions which we are aware of, because our intuitive consciousness
communicates more easily in impressions and symbols than in words.
Drawing can benefit from both the record and raise the idea of brain
storming, manipulation and attacks. It is an attempt to summarize the case
of the fees during the representation of all the ideas that have already
covered the design, links, relationships, influences, reasons and causes,
and so on. Besides, it provides a pictorial overview representation of the
current situation, indicating the structural elements, flow of communication,
and the climate or individual’s interpretation of the situation.
The image of the rich picture gives a brief description about the suffering
of children in North Lebanon, especially in the city of Tripoli and its
environs. It illuminates for us the issue of parents who forced their children
to work in order to gain money because of poverty, and how the suffering
continue since they cannot found something to eat or place to sleep and
good parents to take care of. Moreover this rich picture shows us how the
children think in a bad way such as stealing in order to be self- sufficient
without thinking about how they should change their life to be good
participators in the society. In addition, this crisis against children have a
large scale because of the lack of monitoring and control by the
government which is not interested about the problem that children are
facing , & tries to find solutions in order to protect & help them to get out of
it. Besides, the picture represents the role of U.N, IPEC in giving children
their rights.
After sensing the issue and gathering information, which made us
aware about the situation I’m going now to get engaged in the
problem situation by the second step in Kolb’s learning cycle.
Stage 3: Relevant system and root definition
Comparing to what was used by others countries while facing the child
labor problem, I choose to help children through securing social services
44
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan “free educating, health care…” as my relevant system which was seen as
the most effective and rapid way of minimizing child labor. In this regard, an
effort has been made to assess the government contributions and nongovernment organization ability to secure the above social services needs
for child labor in Lebanon. Also, a decision analysis tool has been
developed to help decision makers and experts understand the influence of
the various decisions that affect the amount of child labor.
The first contribution that this method has made is in the development of an
effective approach to achieve the solution of child labor problem in
Lebanon. This approach is based on conducting meetings with the ministry
of labor and the ministry of social affairs and the non-government
organizations to implement social services. This method is assessed
through collaborating with the ministry of economy to know the ability of the
government to pay, and it is accomplished through the development of a
decision analysis tool that examines with the help of stakeholders the
decision criteria, constraints and the appropriate policy options that
facilitate the implementation of this new policy.
™ Root definitions:
The roots of my relevant system are to study the state of child labor and the
sate of ministry of social affairs and finding ways of reducing child labor in
Lebanon. These are the same roots identifies in the HSM. The study leads
to the above results (refer to HSM method mentioned above as there are
the same routes to objectives).
(Here, I made a reflection-in-action to see if root definitions are relevant to
the system of interest, no problems are detected, and I pass to the next
step.) ?
To support my analysis I draw an influence diagram to show how the
stakeholders can affect each other. So within the influence diagram the
main components of my system of interest have an interrelationship with
each other, and influence each other.
In addition there are the relationships with the environment or the other
stakeholders. The sub-system within the system of interest can influence
each other such as the work of children can affect their health which may
pose them in risk health. And because of poverty the parents don’t have a
job which makes them unemployed people which in turn make parents to
beat their children to bring them money.
The government has a relation with the international labor organization
(ILO), UNICEF, and the human right watch. Also it has an influence on the
causes of child labor because of the lack of monitoring and control and
45
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan especially the lack of rules. The political instability affects the economic
sector which in turn will affect the social status. Finally the international
organization of children rights can influence to the crime against children by
strictly implementing the right of never working under age.
™ Modeling relevant system:
After asking the child labor, the representatives of each ministry involved
and the non government organizations, also the international agencies to
measure the effectiveness of each root and getting the most fruitful one
that if implemented will lead to a high decrease in child labor in Lebanon, I
apply the CATWOE checklist on the chosen route, that verifies
whether I’m going in the right way or I should iterate, this what I
consider it as a reflection during action by raising these questions
and answering them to ensure that this is what should be done in
order to monitor and control the process, efficacy, efficiency and
effectiveness constitute a good criteria.
• Efficacy: means whether the system does what it is supposed to do.
• Efficiency: measure how well it does it.
• Effectiveness: measure whether this is having an improving effect
on the situation
An analysis of constitution of those individual elements in the
system assists in developing a comprehensive root definition. This
is achieved or can be checked through a CATWOE analysis:
• Customers – who would be hurt/benefit from the system “child”
and me
• Actors – who will generate the system ‘the government which include
the ministry of interior, the ministry of labour, the ministry of social
affairs, the ministry of education, and the non government institutions.
• Transformation – what are trying to change, from – to “we are trying
to change the situation of child from working child in streets or
institutions into child who can live his innocence ages as other child
enjoy their lives in all issues of living.
46
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Stakeholder’s intervention
Social awareness
Effective Policies
Putting laws & legislations
Government’s contribution
Process to
eliminate child
labor in North of
Lebanon
Educated Children
giving them social rights
Elimination of working
children in North
Lebanon
Transformation process (Elimination of Child Labour)
• Worldview – why do we want to achieve this “to narrow the spread of
this danger problem and its implications on other social problems in
Lebanon? And to narrow the differences of interest between all
stakeholders to achieve to the purpose which is declining the amount
of child labour in Lebanon.
• Owners – who could stop this ‘the government legislation and the
child if he doesn’t want to help us by accurate information”
• Environment – what else do we need to take into account” we need
to take into account the parents situation, the political stability, the
economic situation, the influence of other problems on this issue and
viceversa.
After being aware and sensing the messy situation then getting
engages in it based on intervention and not invitation since nobody
asked me to work on this issue, I’m moving now to plan and
Act/contextualizing and managing by introducing the conceptual
model.
47
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Stage 4: conceptual model:
The conceptual model is derived exclusively from the root definition, back
to the real situation which is still in my domain of application. As I have
developed it here, the conceptual model represents a more detailed
expansion of the root definition.
2. Implement
1. Meeting with
children who work
4. Meeting with
employers to
know more about
the kind of work.
free
elementary
schools
3. Raising
family income
5. Amend and
enforce legal
articles& government
contribution
6. Provide social
services for
children
7. Establish
rehabilitation
centers.
8.
Participation
of media
A conceptual model represents a more detailed expansion of the root
definition.
48
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Another conceptual model that represents my approaches for the
project.
1. Review my
experience of case
4. Develop
my thinking
about SSM
6. Review the
materials
supplied
2. Consider
the project
3. Consider the
term of
preference
5. Review
different ways of
doing & applying
SSM
7. Provide an
initial SSM of
the context.
8. Develop an
explanation of
the case in
t t
A conceptual model for my approaches for the project
49
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan These information are provided by us to the possibility of reestablishing ties after the recurrence of the complexity of doing so,
and going to the comparison between the real worlds with the
conceptual model
Stage 5: Comparison between Rich picture & conceptual
model:
The rich picture illustrates what is really happening. The child labor
problem will be presented pictorially: causes of child labor, bad
consequences, implications, regulations taken by government, some
proposed solutions. The conceptual model is what the ideal image: no child
labor. The comparison of these two pictures stresses the problem more
and increases the need to make improvements and changes to achieve to
the solutions.
The real picture of the conceptual model
™ Stream of cultural inquiry:
It is important as the logic-based driven. It characterizes the SSM mode 2.it
is about finding out about the culture in which the work is being done. It
contains:
-Analysis of the intervention: it is about questioning the client who made
this study to happen. So they include me as a student who is analyzing a
messy situation that takes place in my country? Lebanon? And which need
to be solved. Clients are also those identified in the table of CATWOE
summary. All these clients intervene in the situation in order to solve it.
™ Social system analysis
The model in question assumes a social system to be continually changing
interaction between three elements: circumstances, beliefs, values.
Circumstances, beliefs & value
Circumstance: I am a Lebanese citizen who is suffering from the bad
consequences of child labor, and who have wide knowledge about this
problem that allow me to treat it in my senior project at my university.
Belief: my belief is that child labor contributes to social, security problems
also causing healthy effects on child, it is causing huge uncontrollable
consequences, everyone in Lebanon should try to reduce the amount of
child who works by his way & government should apply rules & regulations
50
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan strictly to get out of this problem.
Value: child labor is on the top of the problems in Lebanon, which it if
solved will lead to valuable country through good future generations.
™ Political system analysis:
Politics is taken to be a process by which differing interests reach
accommodations. In this regard I gave that step a great importance
because I belief that working with a group or people who have
different interests necessities interviews, discussions, respectful
atmosphere, exchange of ideas, giving authority for experts. And this
I had done throughout my project especially when I asked those
experts at government to find suitable ways to get to reduce child
labour.
Stage 6: Debate with other stakeholders involved in the
situation
In this stage my purpose is to conduct a structured discussion with the
stakeholders such as the problem-owners, the problem-solvers and
probably other stakeholders, about the ideas that are now starting to
emerge from the analysis, so, after a dialogue done rather than debate that
will reach us to find a solution. I discuss with them all the factors that lead
to child labor, and how these factors can lead to effect in which children
suffer from. And after displaying the main points that I had chosen for the
relevant system, were many different opinions and perspectives by which
some of the stakeholders liked most of the ideas, and others had some
comments and asked for changes... Through the discussion, each one of
us was listening to the other one in order to know from where all these
problems occur and what should be the solution. Furthermore within the
discussion, me as a system practitioner I respect all the points of view, and
I take into consideration the perspectives of the stakeholders. I learned
from them much of things which drives me to feel that I’m very engaged in
the situation and I suffer too from this dilemma, this what makes me feel
that I should put the right solution in order to make each one of the
stakeholders satisfied about the result.
51
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Stage 7: implementation of agreed changes
All these steps that are arising from the discussion that happened between
me and the stakeholders will helped me to achieve the purpose that I
choose in the relevant system (securing social services “free educating,
health care…) the decision was to implement them without any
exceptional.
In this stage I draw a control model loop to describe how I can eliminate the
child labor (Andy Lane, 2004, pp: 74). Control model diagrams will summarize the
inputs leading to output. (Handled as hard copy)
It can be used to illustrate the case and provide the information &
feedback needed in order to avoid these mistakes. This controlled model
indicates the application of different processes to ensure the eliminating
objective toward, eliminating child labor in North Lebanon. It is achieved
through:
Inputs: Stakeholder’s contribution, effective policies, ILO conventions ,
government intervention which must prevent child labor through strict laws
& legislations, social awareness, free schools, Medical monitoring for
children & the role of parents within the family, and how they are
responsible to take care of their children by never letting them work under
the age 18, and make them go to schools .
Transformation Process of this model: Process to eliminate child labor
in North Lebanon.
Output: elimination of child labor in North Lebanon
Goal applied to the process: eliminate child labor in North Lebanon.
Actuator: Government
Feedback path: all the circumstances occur in a dynamic environment
where there are a lot of changes, that’s why I should follow up these
changes and concentrate on monitoring and control.
Sensor in this control model: is the UNICEF institution welfare.
Comparator: control office within the ministry of Labor that can effectively
participate in solving this problem.
Furthermore in the closed-loop control there is a continuous monitoring for
the process as it is taking places and there is no real ability and
52
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan standardization in order to resolve this problem or to achieve our goal to
eliminate child labor because there are many factors that can intervene in
resolving this issue.
Finally the closed-loop control has a cost and will take a lot of time
(because sometime the goal is inefficient), not only because the process of
exclusion of child labor is more complex, but also because wastefulness is
built in by allowing errors and making corrections.
After applying the two methods, I can say that I used the HS-method
in the Child labour project; because this method helps me to identify
and define the problems occur. Also this method helps me to
manipulate and model the information easier than before and because
it provide a good understanding in the area of analysis. Moreover this
method concentrates on quantifiable information and ignores the
social aspects. Stages are linear; one might lose considering the
situation systemically, and the outcome is known before applying the
method, one might fall in a trap of not considering hidden choices.
53
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan After applying the HS-Method I figured out that using SS-Method
would be more appropriate in studying this situation systemically.
Since SS-Method take into consideration the social aspect and
requires a debate with the stakeholders. Moreover, making use of the
rich picture as a tool to obtain unnoticed new patterns and issues
would enrich the study and evoke competing outcomes.
As a system practitioner, I have used one method that offers me ways of
understanding how I work with others so how to deal with different
perspective is to know my MBTI type. This increased my awareness, which
can trigger my capacities to see situations, systems approaches, systems
of interest, and other people in a way and offers the potential for wider sets
of options for action. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) helped me to
recognize my characteristics, my personality, my behaviour, my preferred
style, my capacities and their Limitations and how those limits can be
extended into new capacities.
Here, I made reflection-in-action to make sure that the cultural stream of
analysis is well described, everything is going well.
Finally after sharing all skills and knowledge about the situation, the
deciding with other stakeholders’ raises 5 steps to prepare, implement
actions and plans which are:
Step 1: Secure Resources
Securing resources requires working with donor organizations and
domestic agencies, and leveraging new resources with existing country,
donor and stakeholder programs. For this specific purpose, short meeting
sessions will been planned with local social
agencies, and relevant international donor/lending agencies such as
UNICEF, IPEC, CRC, U.N.
Step 2: Develop Implementation Strategies
the finalization of such a strategy requires interaction with stakeholders first
individually in the form of interviews and second in the form of a brain
storming sessions to be organized at a later stage.
Step 3: Integrate With children, donating institutions and government
Step 4: Prepare social services Plans.
Effectively integrate implementation regarding this policy needs
54
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan collaboration with schools, hospitals and donations from other international
agencies and non-government organizations.
Step 5: Implement social services methods
Step 6: Ongoing Review of Actions.
It is in this step where the reflection-on-action took place to make sure that
everything is going as it should be and according to the plan.
Having achieved the use of different methodologies and finishing by
attending an overall agreed decision which if applied will lead to reduction
of child labour thus solving this problem and realizing the bad
consequences which is my main concern and aim from this project. By this
I can say that I succeed to maintain the four balls BECM of a successful
juggler by maintaining them in the air and this allowed me to be a
successful system practitioner.
55
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Dear client,
I will introduce you for a big problem that we are facing nowadays which if
we didn’t solve it as soon as possible, we will be facing very risky
consequences in our near future for that reason I will start my report by
introducing a clear description about this problem in which I will try to solve
it by using two different methods? The first one needs government
intervention (money, laws, cooperation between ministries and Non
Government organizations…), while the other is flexible in which the
solution is attained by helping child labour through all members of the
society (general community), donating them to educate freely, secure
accommodation….
First what is child labor?
Child labor is defined as paid or unpaid work and includes “activities that
are mentally, physically, socially, or morally dangerous and harmful to
children”. Children ought to grow in healthy and safe environment where
they learn and enjoy their limited years of innocence before they join the
ranks of adulthood and the labor force. Child labor is work for children
under the age of 18 that in some way harms or exploits them (physically,
mentally, morally, or by excluding children from education). Child labor has
been around for centuries, however, it was during the second industrial
period that the western world has identified child labor as being
unacceptable. Not all work is bad for children, a child who delivers
newspapers before school might actually benefit from learning how to work,
gain responsibility, and learn a bit of money .So child labor in Lebanon is
reported as one of the social problems, especially in undeserved urban
neighborhood of the major cities and in rural areas.
56
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan To understand child labor more:
Causes of child labor:
As to illustrate the causes of this mess, Poverty is widely considered the
top reason why children work at inappropriate jobs for their ages. But also
there are different causes such as abuse of children, discrimination, and
lack of legislations provided by countries to control child labor , uncaring
attitude of the employer , family expectations & traditions, adding to
57
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan these, lack of services from education , medical care, protection &
social services. Besides, the parents of child labour are often
unemployed or underemployed, desperate for secure employment and
income. Yet it is their children who are powerless and paid less who are
offered the jobs. In other words, UNICEFF stated that ‘’Children are
employed because they are easier to exploit.’’
Consequences of child labor:
The work of children leads to bad consequences such as: it will contribute
too many social problems “drugs, theft, criminal…” They will be more
exposed to diseases and health problems; also they will lose their home or
shelter. Besides, they will be exploited either by their parents or their
employers (working longer hours to not much money). In summary they will
be victims and never live the innocence age.
My way of analyzing this problem:
My first way of treating this problem is to see what other countries that had
faced the same problem have done. My researches led me to a result that
the best way to get out of this problem is government intervention by
enforcing laws and regulations in all domains and sectors and oblige
people to apply it. The method I used relies on taking into consideration the
points of views of all members involved in order to reduce the amount of
working children. First of all I gather all information and I know the purpose
of each stakeholder involved &I conclude that this messy will be reduced
but the means to achieve the goal is different, here my role is occurred as I
try with a high effort to approach their way of thinking and convince each
one that they have to find solutions to this dangerous problem otherwise
this problem will never be narrower but it will enlarge to embody social and
security problems. The solution was an agreed by everyone and this make
it easy to be applied and will absolutely lead to the desired results.
You? As an individual how can u: Consider some of the things you could
do day after day to reduce child labor:
9 If you are an employer to child try to make medical examination
to ensure the capability of the child to perform the work.
58
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan 9 If you are able to educate or teach children don’t be late!
9 Read and ask around how you can help and contribute. Get
your friends and family involved. Remember, the more we care
about child, the better the future generations will be and the
better our countries will be seen by others.
9 Also you can read my analysis in which you will find all about child
labor from A to Z with detailed methods of treating this huge
problem. This analysis is clear, could be easily understood, with
chronological procedures to get out of this problem.
Adding to that in order to move toward deciding, avoiding conflicts should
be taken into consideration. Though, characteristically opinions will differ on
the importance of the different goals and what is appropriate or fair basis to
the proceeding in the child labor field.
Such disagreements may be more or less significant, far reaching and
conducted in a way ranging from good consequences to openly threatening
once.
There’s the role of NGO’s selected program; they should implement a
number of preventive programs aimed at preventing child labor.
59
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Actions to be taken in the short term can include:
• Specify job descriptions for qualified individuals no matter in what
party they belong; every individual has his responsibility for one or
two tasks to work at efficiently and never fail to complete till the point
of execution .
• Giving trust to this individual and let them feel the belonging; loyalty
will be one of the results.
• Set a daily schedule for every step they are planning on doing,
prepare the documents and products required not mentioning be
ready for any unexpected outcome.
For the long term, some actions can be taken , these include:
• Communication program such as internal network or e-program
where every party and individual knows what is the daily schedule &
what she/he is supposed to do.
• Human resource & personal departments responsible for handling the
problems & conflicts inside the organization & parties which are
working on solving the problem , make sure that every one is doing
his job properly and walking on the same track
• Set a system for each organization or party that lists its legislation,
where they may be punished if they ignore the rules identified by the
administration.
Laws of child labor are regularly revised, to do some improvement for
example:
• Rising the minimum age for work from 8 to 13 years
60
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan • Prohibiting the employment of children with out a prior medical
examination to ensure the capability of the child to perform the work.
• Prohibiting the use of children below 15 in industries that are
dangerous to their health.
• Ensuring mandatory & free elementary education. (UNICEF,
Wednesday, 13 May 2009, 10:13 GMT)
The child labor’s approach reflects the importance of protection &
empowerment of working children as well as on the link between education
child labor.
International program for the elimination of child labor aim to eliminate the
child labor through promoting policy reform & putting in place concrete
measure to end child labor, and also through international & national
campaigning intended to change social attitudes.
There are many reasons that led to increase of child labor, first poverty
which was the main reason why children work at inappropriate jobs of their
age, also lack of good schools and day care & also lack of other services
such as health care.
Many solutions can be taken to reduce child labor as:
• Increasing family incomes.
• Spreading education that helps children learn skills that allows them
to earn a living
• Family control of fertility so that families are not burdened by too
many children.
We as students are the future generation; we are involved in declining the
impact of the messy child labor situation that is increasing day after day in
the Arab world & in the world as a whole. All this is a result of economic &
financial problems that families are now facing.
61
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan We can provide some help through support & volunteer for the units &
associations that are responsible for the elimination of child labor , and also
through people that can provide & give new ideas and opinions to solve this
very dangerous problem that affects our children , those children which
don’t receive their needs & rights in education & in getting better health
care.
As a result child labor case will generate a conflict that will lead to a
Win-Lose outcome (destructive approach) when the conflict is expressed in
terms of choosing who wins. This can be attained that nay elimination of
child labor will surely create a win situation for children & more likely a
loose situation on the stakeholders who abuse those children in the
factories, agriculture, stores...
Child labor is a serious problem that threats children, hence an action
should be considered in this acting phase; however this case is a result of
various negotiations among nations & stakeholders in order to eliminate it
through laws, regulations, and legislations. Thus, encouraging action
wouldn’t be my own choice since it’s a global concern. However , different
types of actions can be taken starting from self, moving on to social ,
community, government’s action, national and international actions such
as: CRC, IPEC, IREWOC… and to stimulate action motivation that can be
used.
62
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan The T306 project is a summary that illustrates applying many concepts,
methods, diagrams, system approaches, tools that we have been
introduced to throughout the year. It is about dealing with a real world
complexity by analyzing it in order to attend the overall object which is
transforming the complexity into a problem so it will be easier for us to
reach solutions...
I start preparing for my project from the beginning of the semester, so the
first step was to find a real mess to talk about. In fact, it was a hard task to
do although messes are surrounding us everywhere, however finding a
real life complexity to be treated in my senior project by applying the T306
concepts was a mess in itself. It needs distinguished system thinking
practical skills and high degree of knowledge about the course.
In fact, the way all TMAs were designed was so helpful to me since the
TMA02 asks me about approaches, methodologies, methods, tools or
techniques that I should apply in order to be more aware about them.
Also within the TMA 02 they asked me to develop an initial Log Frame in
order to know how I can put the goals and achieve my purpose by identify
my outputs through the activities.
TMA03 ask me to present an outline proposal of my project
TMA04 asks me to develop the formal proposal of my project
63
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan First Part:
The first week:
I was confused about choosing the right subject that fit the issue of
sustainable development. Another concern was about choosing frequent
subject that may student adapt to analysis. A free choice of a topic produce
problems, when there is no set roles of a project. Being an independent
investigator without having an outline of base to select lead me to panic fell
overwhelmed and thus contribute to less understanding. However, this
complexity drives me to challenge myself by start searching for solutions.
One of the most vital activities that contribute to give me a better picture of
the concepts of sustainable development is activity number one .The
activity is concerned with engaging with the issue of SD by collecting
articles that cover either environment or development issue or both. The
activity is concerned with expressing my feeling toward the subject, define
SD & discuss which one is related to development or environment.
The second week:
In this week, I made interviews with working children in North Lebanon &
with the Ministry of Labor & some non-governmental organizations. I start
gathering information from different sources as internet, newspaper, asking
my friends about their opinion on child labor. .
The third & fourth week:
Usually after having analyzed an essay topic, I go straight & read
extensively on the subject. It is only after doing this research that I felt
confident enough to start thinking & planning out my answer. I discover that
such an approach can be a mistake, however, sometimes when I produce
a myriad of notes and then loss about how these notes can be transformed
into coherent piece of writing . This problem affects me especially when I
start my TMA. I searched for solutions in the net & I found some advices.
Before reading too much, it is a good idea to do as much thinking &
planning around the topic as we can. The benefit of this approach is that
64
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan right from the start I can begin to get a sense of the shape the essay will
take. It also means I can be more strategic in my reading, allowing
searching for specific reading materials rather than collecting a mass of
material that may ultimately have limited relevance to my work .Some of
these strategies are identifying relevant information such as where to start
looking for information. So, I have to ensure that I understand the terms &
concepts relating to the assignment topic. Following this I should make
sure that I have a good overview or understanding of the topic area, then
look for more specialized & focused discussion of my topic , so that I can
further my own understanding of it, develop my own arguments , and
show the lecturer that I have a good grasp of the subject. To do this, I
found background information to understand relevant terms, concepts &
theories.
The fifth week:
I began the process of searching and selecting information for the project
choice issue, using internet, newspaper, & other information sources. It
was a difficult phase because it required too much time & effort to research
& investigate of such information. The searching process itself was a
problematic issue because I often read extensively & search a lot which
affected another qualities of self-discipline that I had to be aware about it.
Thus I had adopted some strategies to simplify the process to deal with
huge amount of results, which occur due to using too broad search terms.
As a result, I used narrowing skills; identify required language & where the
place of the statement should appear. These strategies reduce the number
of result for the search. I opened sites, read some of them, and then I
choose some sites from them..
The sixth & seventh week:
I start taking notes & recording references by developing ways of sorting,
organizing, & recording the ideas and information as I go from the previous
week. For example, the keywords I have used for the search helped me
systematically come up with a list of headings under the collected material.
65
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Then grouping information by heading will pay off for when start collating &
interpreting the information as part of the initial drafting process. I have
used skimming and scanning reading tools to identify only the main idea or
ideals vital for the summarizing process. For example before reading a
chapter I look to see whether it has been set out using sub-headings , or
whether it contains section summaries, or whether key concepts are being
put in bold type. Then once I have located useful material, I make an
efficient note-taking system. Because it is too much consuming to record
material verbatim, so I make notes by summarizing, using a good system of
abbreviations. I have shortening a text by reducing it to its main points. I
used a variety of techniques to take notes when I am reading. Probably the
least useful of these is the type done with a highlighting pen, where most of
us succeed mainly in altering the color of certain sections of the text. The
better techniques are those where I attempt to record key ideas &
information in my own words. The main benefit of this approach is that it
helps me to impose my own understanding on the texts I have read.
Besides I put a list of what approaches to use as well as for the concepts to
be applied& to Ask my tutor what to add, what should be more elaborated,
what to cancel...
System methods which are applied in my project, as HSM & SSM
Researching in T306 blocks for the main concepts that my project should
contain: SWOT analysis, diagrams, reflection, ethicality statement, MBTI,
and applying all these concepts in my project & drawing all the diagrams.
Eight & Ninth week:
Before I began writing, I examine the material collected from the
information sources. Does the information that I have collected match the
requirements of the assignment? Do my notes contain a range of the sorts
of general statements that will need for effective expository or
argumentative writing? Do my notes contain adequate documentary
evidence to expand upon & support the general statements I wish to make?
Evaluate my material critically, select what I think can make a useful
contribution to my assignment & discard the rest is very important process
66
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan to avoid getting lost around unstructured project. So, I have consulted my
tutor for advice. Once I have an adequate understanding of the issue &
theories relevant to my assignment I start writing or outlining my first
proposal. I made a plan to help me to structure the writing of the first draft.
Then I start wring the proposal by using my previous notes. After finishing
the first outlining of my first proposal (TMA03), I send it to my tutor to have
feedback. I received the tutor feedback & I have found some gaps that I
have to work on to improve the project... So as I come back to look at the
work, new ideas may come & problems often be solved? Using a more
systematic approach helped me feel more in control and as a result being
more able to deal constructively with anxieties about my work. Systematic
approach helped me to identify my strengths & to identify where
improvements can be made.
Week ten:
I have achieved the client report, make reviews to the tutor report to make
sure that nothing is missing. I visited my tutor to show him both reports and
to listen to his recommendation & suggestions to improve my project &
completing my project log. Making some changes how the project will look
like, so tables of contexts, of figures, abbreviation list, all these are
achieved in this week.
Week Eleven:
Before submission my final version on Tuesday 29, I think about formatting,
references & appropriate style. For example, checking the factual content
of the assignment such as Cover sheet to ensure that the title page
provides the following information:
•
The name & ID number
•
The number & the name of the course for which
the assignment is submitted
•
The number & the title of the assignment. If a
definite title was given , it should be reproduced in full & with
complete accuracy ; select an appropriate title
67
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan •
The date on which the assignment is due
•
The name of the tutor
The final step of the process is to review the project by checking the
following points before printing out the final version:
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
Does the assignment have definite & adequate
introductory & concluding sections? In the case of a report , are
all required sections present?
Is the arrangement of paragraphs within the
main body of the text suitable & logic?
Have any format requirements specified for the
assignment been followed correctly? Is there any unnecessary
repetition of material?
Does the discussion fulfill the aims & objectives
stated in the introduction and/or laid down in the assignment
instructions?
Are the main points under discussion adequately
supported by references to the theoretical / research literature,
or by other reliable & valid evidence?
I am satisfied with the comprehensiveness of the
discussion? Can I now identify any important areas which my
earlier drafts overlooked?
Have major conclusions and/or
recommendations been persuasively argued?
Have I allocated space appropriately to each
issue with regard to its relative importance to the paper as a
whole?
Is citations/ quotations/ cross-references?
Complete & accurate? Are my references complete &
consistently arranged?
Are tables / figures / pictures/diagrams/appendix
correctly & accurately presented?
68
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Week 8&9:
Week 10: achieved
the client report,
make reviews to the
tutor report to make
sure that nothing is
missing
Evaluate material
critically, select
useful contribution
to my assignment
&discard the rest ,
write first proposal
(TMA03)
Week 6&7: System
methods are applied in my
project, as HSM & SSM,
Researching in T306 blocks for
the main concepts that my project
should contain: SWOT analysis,
diagrams, reflection, ethicality
statement, & MBTI.
Week 3&4: Develop
strategies, identifying
relevant information
such as where to start
looking for the
information – concepts
relating, understanding
& search
Week 11:
Checking the
factual content of
the assignment,
cover sheet, check
if assignment
generates such as
Week 1:
Engaging with
the issue of
Sustainable
development,
solve activities,
collect
information,
and seek
advice
Week 2: identify
what the
assignment is
asking me to do,
gathering
information from
different sources,
making interviews.
Week 5:
searching &
selecting
information for
the project
choice issue
A system map showing the project log through eleven weeks
69
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Second Part:
Honestly, I never thought as deeply about practitioner role until I engaged
with the course of T306. Since I am not an employee, I came into the
course with a relatively less degree of understanding than my classmates
may have had. I always thought positive change in education needed a lot
more structure than a simple course alteration. Now, I know the course is
where change takes place the most effectively. I have learned so much
from the interactions and readings presented in this course. I have a new
found respect of the monumental tasks administrators have, but with more
courses such as this one, education will move towards the right direction.
We must continually criticize our past mistakes, reflect on our current
knowledge & inspire our future.
The reflection process (Lane Andy, 2004, pp: 5, 6) during this course is
the key element to help me assess the best way to structure & write my
project. Many of the units in the book include self-assessment questions
and activities designed to require stopping & thinking, sometimes to take
actions. These benefit me to question what I read & try out ideas by my
self. Every time I pause to think in this way, I reflect on what I have learnt.
The process of reflection is an important activity that empowers my ability
to develop a fuller picture in how to make use of complex ideas & concepts.
It was an important point that I took into consideration in all stages of my
project period to make sure that everything is going according to plan for
that I had refer back always to my tutor either by calling him on the phone
or by visiting him in the office. I had never hesitate to ask him about
everything related to my project which I am not sure about how to do it,
what to add, why? My tutor’s help was very effective to me that facilitate a
lot my work in the project. Second, it is also essential for raising
awareness about how I learn & might improve my learning. Indeed, both
reflectiveness & critical analysis require being active, not only paying
attention to the content of the course materials, but also working
independently with the concepts introduced. During studying this mess I
found that I should stop at each step in sequence to reflect on it. At each
step I found that I need to learn more about all the problems that concern
this situation, and I felt that I have to work and work more than the first
70
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan time, this led me to motivation to regularly turn away from the course
materials in order to formulate a personal response, & to use my own
words & constructions. In the process learning a new topic , I need to
spend time putting new materials into my own words , trying out new ideas
, using what I already know & see where the new materials fits in . This
process builds bridges, in ideas, between what I know already & what I am
trying to understand & remember.
All the activities I have solved in T306 course strengthened me to keep
track of it & follow the development of my own ideas as I build my project. It
helps to keep my notes in one place, together with other material which
catches my interest for its relevance to the subject. Moreover, the
completion & return of each of my assignments (1&3) used an opportunity
for self-review, planning, recorded in my learning file help complete my
project.
While studying this course, I found that it differs from other courses
because it has a close relation to our life and work. The difficulty of this
course lies in its diverse and wide concepts, and how we could benefit from
it in our life.
This course has widen my way of thinking, and helped me in appreciating a
range of view points to a situation, and gives me the ability to analyze and
understand more any complex situation.
The difficulties that I have faced throughout the project is meeting the
minister of labour since each time I would like to meet him they will say
that the political situation in Lebanon doesn’t allow him to make meetings,
so I make all my efforts to gather valuable information from them. Moreover
the information gathered in the Internet and magazines was not as
accurate as they are not based all the time on accurate numbers and
studies.
What motivates me each time to study this messy situation and try to
implement potential solutions is the collaboration and cooperation with Non
Government Organization also through meeting with children who work as
each time I meet them my emotional side is strongly affected while they
71
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan explain to me about their bad situations and what they hope to be in the
future while they are not able to achieve it ; this is why we should all take
care of the importance of that complexity. Everyone could help reduce child
labour in their own way, by learning more about the issue. There are
support organizations that are raising awareness, and providing direct help
to individual children.
Me as a student I consider myself as a member in the future generations
involved in reducing the impact of the messy child labor situation that is
increasing day after day in Lebanon, because of economic and financial
problems that families are now facing, also by the political and security
problems that we are facing these days. Helping, could be by supporting
and volunteer for the units and associations that are responsible for the
elimination of child labor; or people can also help by giving new ideas and
opinions to solve this very dangerous problem that affects children in
Lebanon; or through media or organizing seminars through which this
conflict can be accessed to all people around the whole world; children who
don’t receive their needs and rights whilst living.
I conclude that now after covering this messy situation I can say that I’m
now able to see this problem in a broad and aware eye without being
biased.
Double loop learning: it was helpful to me since it addresses the
aim of choosing this project & it is represented in the following diagram:
72
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan Besides, double –loop learning questioned the goal of our project which is
elimination of child labor which can be achieved through out the processes
that I mentioned above.
73
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan After finishing to studying this problem I learned a lot of lessons from
Lebanon’s experience on Child labor which are:
1. Do not target at the elimination of child labor; rather, find alternative
strategies for reducing its negative impact.
2. Do not work very forcefully on law enforcement; children removed
from work are not necessarily better off than other children.
3. Adopt second chance educational opportunities as a strategy to
empower working children and as an entry point to child labor.
4. Always look at regional specifies and gender balance in interventions.
5. Adopt several strategies to produce sustainable results.
6. Involve the employers in all strategies.
7. Research, action and social mobilization should go hand in hand.
8. Do not count on perfect interventions; rather adopt the add-on
strategy.
74
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2008/02/05/45187.html
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Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2008/02/05/45187.html
76
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan 1. Prepared by Simon Bell, (2005), Managing Complexity: a system’s
approach, the Arab Open University, Managing and learning with
information systems, Using the hard systems method for managing,
pp: 49, 66.
2. Prepared by Simon Bell, (2005), Managing Complexity: a system’s
approach, the Arab Open University, Managing and learning with
information systems, Using the Soft systems method for managing,
pp: 91,113.
3. Prepared by Christine Blackmore, Ray Ison and Jake Chapman,
(2005), Managing Complexity: a system’s approach, the Arab Open
University, Managing sustainable development: learning with other
stakeholders, pp: 37, 41, 83, and 87.
4. Prepared by Rosalind Armson and Ray I son,(2005),Managing
Complexity: the Arab Open University, Juggling with complexity
:searching for a system
5. Prepared by Rosalind Armson,(2005),Managing Complexity: a
system’s approach, the Arab Open University, The systemic
practioner: being reflective, becoming aware, pp:18, 46,
65,79,88,109)
6. Prepared by Andy Lane (2004), systems thinking and practice,
Diagramming, copyright the Open University, pp: 59-74.
7. Prepared by Andy Lane (2004), systems thinking and practice, A
primer, copyright the Open University, pp: 11-67.
77
Karima Hamadeh_8167_TMA04_T306b_sec.212_Dr.Saher Alanan 8. Prepared by Andy Lane (2004), systems thinking: principles and
practice, concept file 1, learning, thinking and doing, copyright the
Open University, pp: 5-9- 41.
9. Child Labor in Lebanon, 1997. US Dept. of State, Country Reports on
Human. Rights Practices - 1999, 25 February 2000. Lebanese Union
for Child Welfare.
10.
Interviews in North Lebanon,24/4/2009
11.
United States Department of Labor, 2005 Findings on the Worst
Forms of Child Labor - Lebanon, 29 August 2006. Online. UNHCR,
UNICEF Refworld, available at:
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/48d748f73e.html [accessed 13
May 2009]
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