Center on the Developing Child-Harvard University
Global gathering in Moscow Put Spotlight on Early Childhood Issues
In 2000 world governments set a goal for the year 2015, in this goal three issues were presented.
1. To end extreme poverty and hunger
2. All children would receive at least a primary education
3. To reduce mortality rates by two thirds.
We are very close to the year 2015, and some progress has been made but there is still a long way to go. I look at the first goal to end extreme poverty and hunger. Today there is a higher poverty rate than in 2000. In reading goal number two I have to wonder if “all children” means the financially well off, average intelligence, and no physical disabilities’ or if any child regardless of sex, ability, race, culture, religion, and disability are going to get a primary education.
Another interesting fact I read about from the Global gathering in Moscow was that only one half of the world’s governments have formal policies or coordination mechanism in place related to Early Childhood Development. “According to a UNICEF report in 2006, more than 30 governments had established national early childhood development policies, and over 70 countries had some type of national commission to coordinate such programs across ministries and sectors.” (Center on the Developing Child)
World Forum Foundation
World Forum Foundation Video-by Tori Hogan
Early Childhood professionals get together every two years to exchange ideas and learn from each other. Over 80 countries gather to discuss issues relating to children and families and the issues impacting delivery of services. As one professional, Sue Sterling-Aboriginal Supported Child Development from Canada stated “We are all equal, people with limited education working and leaning alongside people with PHD’s.”
Mental Health-this is an area that is severely under addressed. Mental health is just as important to the welfare of a child as anything.
Harvard is launching a project to study mental health services. They are to address the gaps in knowledge and services available. They are working in three main areas:
1. In China they will be assessing mental health services for children
2. In Rwanda they will be looking at family-bases strategies to prevent mental health issues in children affected by HIV/AIDS.
3. In Barbados, Republic of Trinidad, and Tobago, and Suriname the team will be addressing child maltreatment and mental health outcomes (Center on the Developing Child).
Reference:
Center on the Developing Child-Harvard University. Global gathering in Moscow Put Spotlight on Early Childhood Issues. Retrieved July 30, 2011, from http://developingchild.harvard.edu
Center on the Developing Child-Harvard University. Global Children’s Initiative: Activities. Retrieved July 30, 2011, from http://developingchild.harvard.edu
World Forum Foundation Video. World Forum Foundation. Retrieved July 30, 2011, from http://worldforumfoundation.org
Leslie,
ReplyDeleteI remember in a previous course reading about India's millenium goal for 2015 was to reduce poverty and malnutrition. In India, nearly half of all the children are undernourished and that accounts for one-third of the world’s 150 million malnourished children under the age of five (Anonymous, 2010). With astonishing numbers like this, it's important that we have initiatives like the Global Children's Initiative to help those around the world.
Anonymous, .Nutrition tied to more than one-third of child deaths. (2008, March).
The Nation's Health, 38(2), 12. Retrieved November 13, 2010, from ProQuest Central. (Document ID: 1445994101).
Understanding mental health concerns and issues for children around the world is a key to building resilience. Some things can not be easily changed but equipping children with the coping skills and support systems can enable them to succeed despite their circumstances.
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