Countries urged to invest in young children who risk being left behind

Every child in the world deserves a great start in life.聽With 80% of the brain grown by the age of three, it’s crucial they get access to quality early care to survive and thrive.

But more than 40% of young children in developing countries are at risk of not fulfilling their potential because of poverty and neglect.

Major international organisations teamed up yesterday to launch the聽Nurturing Care Framework for Early Childhood Development. They called for action to help those communities where children are most at risk of being left behind.

国产视频淭he period from pregnancy to age three is key for a child国产视频檚 development. That国产视频檚 when the brain grows fastest,国产视频� said World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.聽

国产视频淭hat国产视频檚 why young children need a safe, secure and loving environment, with the right nutrition and stimulation from their parents or caregivers.国产视频澛�

The Nurturing Care Framework was described as an “evidence-based roadmap for action”. It is part of a growing movement to ensure early childhood development (ECD) and pre-primary education are prioritised across the world.

It is made up of聽the WHO, UNICEF and the World Bank Group, in collaboration with the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, the Early Childhood Development Action Network and many other partners.

Launched at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, its members said investing in ECD is one of the best things any country can do to boost economic growth, promote peaceful and sustainable societies, and eliminate extreme poverty and inequality.

The framework said that to reach their full potential children need nurturing care 国产视频� the conditions that promote health, nutrition, security and safety, responsive caregiving and opportunities for early learning.

It called for聽effective national programmes, driven by sustained political commitment and a determination to reduce inequity, poverty and social injustice.

Countries will now take the lead in working towards national milestones to 2023, supported by the members of the Nurturing Care Framework.

UNICEF Deputy Programme Director Vidhya Ganesh said:聽国产视频淎 child国产视频檚 early environment and experiences have a direct and long-term impact on the way the brain is structured 国产视频� influencing their present and future cognitive, emotional and social development, and their overall health and wellbeing.

“When we invest in the earliest years of children国产视频檚 lives 国产视频� through health, social and education programmes that help parents provide their young with nurturing care 国产视频� we all benefit.国产视频�

Annette Dixon, Vice President for Human Development at the World Bank Group, said:聽国产视频淚nvesting in quality ECD interventions also makes economic sense – every $1 invested in it can yield between $6 and $17 in returns.”

国产视频’s #5for5 campaign and our work on early childhood development is supported by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.