Beyond Victimhood: The Everyday Peacebuilding of Children in the Shadows of Conflict in the 'SPMS Box', Philippines

This thesis explores how children in conflict zones are more than just victims; they are active participants in their communities. Focusing on children in a conflict-stricken area in the southern Philippines, this study shows that children are not just passively suffering from their dire circumstances but actively engage in constructing peace through their everyday interactions and activities. By working with a local children's group, the research uncovers how children understand peace and conflict, navigate challenges, and foster peace in their daily lives and relationships. Highlighting their roles in creating everyday peace, the thesis argues that children's actions, though often underestimated, play a valuable role in transforming their environments and challenging the limited narratives of victimhood.