Responses to Internal Displacement in Colombia: Guided by What Principles?

This article aims to explain the gap between IDP law and practice in Colombia. Colombia’s IDP legislation is con­sidered one of the world’s most advanced legal systems as it puts in practice the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. However, the reality of life for IDPs in Colombia does not match their legal rights. Especially the sections of the law related to preventing displacement and providing durable solutions for IDPs are poorly imple­mented. Following Ferguson’s work on depoliticization, we argue that displacement in Colombia is treated as a tech­nical rather than political problem, detaching it from root causes like landownership and structural class inequalities. This article provides an overview of the root causes and analyzes the different methods through which internal dis­placement is “depoliticized” in Colombia. In conclusion, we will discuss the wider implications of the Colombian case for understanding implementation challenges of the Guiding Principles.Cet article tente d’expliquer l’écart entre le droit des personnes déplacés internes et sa mise en application en Colombie. Le droit colombien en matière de déplacement interne est considéré comme l’un des systèmes juridiques les plus avancés au monde en ce qu’il met en pratique les Principes directeurs relatifs au déplacement de personnes à l’intérieur de leur propre pays des Nations Unies. Cependant, la réalité des personnes déplacées en Colombie ne correspond pas à leurs droits. En particulier, les sections de la loi relatives à la prévention des déplacements et à la mise en place de solutions durables pour les déplacés internes sont mal mises en œuvre. Suivant les travaux de Ferguson sur la dépolitisation, nous soutenons que le déplacement en Colombie est considéré comme un problème technique plutôt que politique, le détachant de ses causes premières telles la propriété foncière et les inégalités structurelles de classe. Nous donnons un aperçu des causes premières du déplacement et analysons les différentes méthodes par lesquelles le déplacement interne est « dépolitisé » en Colombie. En conclusion, nous discutons des implications plus larges du cas colombien pour la compréhension des défis de mise en œuvre des Principes directeurs

Quality of life among young people in Norway during the COVID‑19 pandemic. A longitudinal study

In this study, we aimed to examine health-related quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic among a general sample of young people in Norway aged 11–19 years. More specifically, we examine: (1) Change over 2 time-points in five health-related quality of life dimensions, (2) Whether sociodemographic- and COVID-19-related factors contributed to change in these five dimensions, (3) Whether parental stress and socioeconomic status at T1 interacted with change in health-related quality of life across T1 and T2. Data collection lasted from April 27th to May 11th, 2020 (T1), and from December 16th, 2020, to January 10th, 2021 (T2). Youth aged 11–19 years (N = 2997) completed the KIDSCREEN-27, COVID-19 related and sociodemographic items. Parents (N = 744) of youth aged 15 years and younger completed the parental stress scale and sociodemographic items. Physical and psychological wellbeing declined significantly from March to December 2020. Subscale scores for social support and peers increased. Controlling for a broad number of sociodemographic and COVID-19-related factors did not make an overall impact on the estimates. Those worried about infection, older aged, girls, and youth born outside Norway had a steeper decline in health-related quality of life subdimensions from T1 to T2. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we warrant special attention to the recovery of youth's physical and psychological wellbeing.publishedVersio

Increased gaming during COVID-19 predicts physical inactivity among youth in Norway a two-wave longitudinal cohort study

Background: A concern for the COVID-19 measures and the potential long-term consequences the measures may have on physical inactivity and gaming among youth. Objectives: Examine the stability and change in internet and offline gaming and the association with physical inactivity among adolescents in Norway during the pandemic. Methods: A total of 2940 youth (58% girls) aged 12–19 years participated in an online longitudinal two-wave survey during the first Norwegian national lockdown in April 2020 (t1) and in December 2020 (t2). Gaming behavior and physical activity status were assessed at both time points. Age, gender, and socioeconomic status were included as covariates. Results: Among boys, 41% reported gaming a lot more and 35% a little more at t1 compared to before the national lockdown. The corresponding numbers for girls were 14 and 23%, respectively. In fully adjusted analysis, a pattern of increased gaming at t1 followed by an additional increase in gaming reported at t2 was associated with physical inactivity at t1 (OR = 2.10, p < 0.01) and t2 (OR = 2.45, p < 0.001). Participants gaming more at t1 followed by a reduction at t2 had higher odds of inactivity at t1 (OR = 1.88, p < 0.01). Youth reporting no gaming at t1 had lower odds for inactivity at this time point (OR = 0.67, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Increased gaming among many youths and a relationship with physical inactivity was observed during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. To counteract the negative long-term impacts of COVID-19 restrictions, public health initiatives should emphasize the facilitation of physical activity in youth and develop effective strategies to prevent problematic gaming.publishedVersio

Perceived consequences and worries among youth in Norway during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown

Aims: To examine perceived consequences for everyday life, learning outcomes, family relations, sleep problems and worries for infection, for friends and their future, among youth aged 12–19 years during weeks 7 to 9 of the COVID-19 lockdown in Norway. We examine variations by age, gender, socioeconomic status and country of birth. Methods: Youth within the municipality of Bergen were invited via SMS to participate in a 15-minute online survey. A total of 2997 (40%) youths participated. The mean age was 17 years (standard deviation 1.7). Results: Overall, 28% reported feeling somewhat to a lot impacted by schools closing, 63% reported learning less. In total, 62% reported improvement of everyday life. The youth’s situation in their family was worse for 13%. Regarding sleep problems, 19% reported difficulties initiating and maintaining sleep, 12% had more nightmares, while 90% reported later bedtime and rise time. Seven per cent worried about getting infected, while 53% worried about infection among family members. A total of 19% worried that the outbreak would lead to a more difficult future, and 32%worried that friends were facing a difficult situation at home. Perceived consequences and worries related to the lockdown varied across sociodemographic groups. Conclusions: The perceived consequences and degree of worries varied by age, gender, socioeconomic status and to a certain degree country of birth. Girls, older youth, youth with lower socioeconomic status and with a migrant background from developing countries seemed to experience the lockdown as more difficult, and thereby possibly accentuating the need for services in these groups.publishedVersio

Parental stress during the COVID-19 pandemic: A one-year follow-up

Objective This two-wave longitudinal study aimed at increasing knowledge about levels of parental stressors and rewards among mothers and fathers of children aged 1–18 during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway. Background The COVID-19 pandemic and infection-control measures have caused changes to family life. Managing homeschooling or caring for younger children while working from home may have posed significant strain on parental stress, negatively impacting the quality of parent-child relationships and parents’ sensitivity to their children’s needs. Method We employed data collected in April 2020 and April 2021 from the longitudinal population-based survey in Bergen/Norway (Bergen in ChangE-study). 7424 parents participated (58.6% mothers and 41.5% fathers). Results The overall levels of parental stressors and rewards did not change significantly. Over the two time points, the factors associated with decreased parental stressors were being male, aged 40–49 years, having a relatively high income, and reporting initial difficulties with closed kindergartens or schools. For parents aged 18–29 years, the level of parental stressors increased. Conclusion The study suggests that the overall levels of parental stress remained unchanged during the first year of the pandemic. Even so, the study also uncovered that younger parents represented a vulnerable subgroup.publishedVersio

The association between psychological distress and alcohol consumption and physical activity: a population-based cohort study

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic and infection control measures caused changes to daily life for most people. Heavy alcohol consumption and physical inactivity are two important behavioral risk factors for noncommunicable diseases worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic, with its social distancing measures, home office policies, isolation, and quarantine requirements may have an impact on these factors. This three-wave longitudinal study aims to investigate if psychological distress and worries related to health and economy were associated with levels and changes in alcohol consumption and physical activity during the two first years of the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway. Methods: We used data collected in April 2020, January 2021, and January 2022 from an online longitudinal population-based survey. Alcohol consumption and physical activity status were assessed at all three measuring points via the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT-C) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). COVID-19-related worries, home office/study, occupational situation, age, gender, children below 18 years living at home, and psychological distress (measured with the Symptom Checklist (SCL-10)) were included as independent variables in the model. A mixed model regression was used and presented with coefficients with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Analysis of data from 25,708 participants demonstrates that participants with substantial symptoms of psychological distress more often reported higher alcohol consumption (1.86 units/week, CI 1.48–2.24) and lower levels of physical activity [−1,043 Metabolic Equivalents of Task (METs) per week, CI −1,257;−828] at baseline. Working/studying from home (0.37 units/week, CI 0.24–0.50) and being male (1.57 units/week, CI 1.45–1.69) were associated with higher alcohol consumption. Working/studying from home (−536 METs/week, CI −609;−463), and being older than 70 years (−503 METs/week, CI −650;−355) were related to lower levels of physical activity. The differences in activity levels between those with the highest and lowest levels of psychological distress reduced over time (239 METs/week, CI 67;412), and similarly the differences in alcohol intake reduced over time among those having and not having children < 18 years (0.10 units/week, CI 0.01–0.19). Conclusion: These findings highlight the substantial increases in risks related to inactivity and alcohol consumption among those with high levels of psychological distress symptoms, and particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and increase the understanding of factors associated with worries and health behavior.publishedVersio

Between promise and fulfilment:

This dissertation addresses the discrepancy between the Colombian national legislation for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the actual realization of rights. Colombia possesses one of the world’s most advanced IDP laws, covering all stages of displacement, and the authorities have developed a complex set of institutions responsible to enforce the law. However, the implementation of the legislation has proven highly complicated. The Colombian government has been able to achieve important improvements in providing emergency humanitarian assistance to the IDP population, but significantly less in terms of prevention, resettlement and return. This thesis argues that the challenge of internal displacement in Colombia is perceived by the IDP regime as a technical rather than a political problem, which detaches the displacement from its structural and underlying causes and complicates prevention and resettlement. The causes of the failure of complying with the IDP law are highly complex and must be analysed in relation to political, historical and cultural structures in the Colombian society. The ownership of territory is vital in terms of power and extensive income generating activities, which imply strong interests in access to land, and complicating the prevention of displacement and protection of abandoned land. The relationship between the land owning elite and policy-makers on the one hand and the poor, rural and displaced population on the other hand is characterized by mutual distrust due to historical patterns of oppression and exploitation. The political structures are analysed in light of the current government’s discourse on the political situation, which argues that there is no longer a conflict going on in Colombia, but rather isolated terrorist acts. The government claims to have achieved a complete demobilization of the right-wing paramilitary groups, in spite of continued denouncements from displaced persons demonstrating the existence of these groups. In light of James Ferguson’s thesis of how a development intervention is depoliticized by focusing on technical solutions, is it here argued that the underlying political causes of internal displacement in Colombia are largely overlooked because of the focus on concrete and measurable solutions. Liisa Malkki’s theoretical concepts of depoliticizing and dehistoricizing are applied to show how the emphasis on humanitarian assistance portrays the displaced population as a ‘universalized mass of victims’ unable to voice their claims. This further contributes to illustrate how displacement becomes detached from its political and historical context, and hence renders it impossible to grasp the underlying causes of displacement. Anthony Giddens’ theory of structuration contributes to explain how these structures limit the possibilities for manoeuvrability, but simultaneously how the same structures may enable a level of power and choice. The actors are furthermore perceived to be capable of influencing the structures, as it is the actors themselves how have defined these structures. Through legal mechanisms ensured by the 1991constitutional reform and increased organization within the displaced population, the IDPs have improved their possibility to voice their claims and create spaces for communicating with the authorities. This thesis argues that small improvements are made because of an increased space for agency among the displaced population, but that the implementation of crucial sections of the IDP law are still highly complicated because of the emphasis on technical measures which removes the focus away from the underlying political causes of displacement

Quality of life among young people in Norway during the COVID‑19 pandemic. A longitudinal study

In this study, we aimed to examine health-related quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic among a general sample of young people in Norway aged 11–19 years. More specifically, we examine: (1) Change over 2 time-points in five health-related quality of life dimensions, (2) Whether sociodemographic- and COVID-19-related factors contributed to change in these five dimensions, (3) Whether parental stress and socioeconomic status at T1 interacted with change in health-related quality of life across T1 and T2. Data collection lasted from April 27th to May 11th, 2020 (T1), and from December 16th, 2020, to January 10th, 2021 (T2). Youth aged 11–19 years (N = 2997) completed the KIDSCREEN-27, COVID-19 related and sociodemographic items. Parents (N = 744) of youth aged 15 years and younger completed the parental stress scale and sociodemographic items. Physical and psychological wellbeing declined significantly from March to December 2020. Subscale scores for social support and peers increased. Controlling for a broad number of sociodemographic and COVID-19-related factors did not make an overall impact on the estimates. Those worried about infection, older aged, girls, and youth born outside Norway had a steeper decline in health-related quality of life subdimensions from T1 to T2. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we warrant special attention to the recovery of youth's physical and psychological wellbeing