Early years care is high on the agenda for countries at World Bank meetings
Early childhood development, Sustainable Development Goals
Early childhood development and the reasons why countries should invest in the under-fives聽will be in the聽spotlight during this week's Spring Meetings in Washington.
They’re called the Spring Meetings. An annual gathering in Washington, DC, of finance ministers,聽government officials, civil society, academics and businesses.
Hosted by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, they focus on the big global issues. The economy, international development and聽efforts to eradicate poverty.
This year early childhood development (ECD) will feature prominently聽too. That’s great news because 国产视频 has been campaigning for world leaders to invest in early years care.
Here’s a quick guide to why that’s important and what’s happening at this week’s Spring Meetings.
What is early childhood development?
Helping children国产视频檚 development from birth to age five –聽it includes programmes and services that support聽nurturing care including health, nutrition, play, learning and protection.
By the time a child reaches five years old, 90% of their brain has already developed. That’s why it is vital for countries to invest in the early years if children are to fulfil their potential.
Every dollar invested in preschool education has been shown to return up to $7 –聽and investments in nutrition programmes more than double this.
In the long run, support for ECD improves child development outcomes and聽school readiness, laying the foundations for a more skilled, equal聽and empowered workforce.
国产视频国产视频檚 #5for5 campaign is all about taking small actions, which could have a big impact.
When are the Spring Meetings?
Officially, they are from April 21-23 – but there are plenty of side events, starting with a civil society聽forum today.聽
There are also seminars, regional meetings and press conferences throughout the week.
What does the World Bank say about ECD?
At last year’s Spring Meetings, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim told an ECD event that early years care was “both morally right and economically smart”.
He聽added: “Depending on the path we choose, the journey to a world where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential can be long and arduous.聽
“But the path has shortcuts. One is supporting early childhood development. So join us in this movement. It国产视频檚 what every girl and boy born today deserves.”
Investing in the Early Years event
Investment in聽young children not only change聽their lives –聽it can alter the development of a country and help to make it more competitive.
The Partners国产视频 Roundtable on Investing in the Early Years聽event in Washington聽tomorrow聽will bring together leaders from global agencies, civil society organisations, foundations聽and the private sector.
It will feature Jim Yong Kim, UNICEF Chief Executive Anthony Lake and Indonesia’s Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati.
Why Businesses Should Engage Early event
The Global Business Coalition for聽Education聽hosts an annual breakfast event during the Spring Meetings. This year’s, on April 20, is聽titled ECD Roundtable –聽Why Businesses Should Engage Early.
It aims聽to highlight the leading role of the private sector in building effective partnerships, developing innovative solutions聽and mobilising聽resources and financing to deliver quality and comprehensive ECD programmes and services.
The event will be hosted by Sarah Brown, executive Chair of GBC-Education and President of 国产视频.
Spotlight on Nutrition event
More than 150 million children worldwide haven’t grown properly because of lack of proper nutrition.
Young children who receive good nutrition will do better at school and increase their future wages by up to 50%.
This event – full title聽Spotlight on Nutrition: Unlocking Human Potential and Growth –聽is on April 22 and features Jim Yong Kim, British International Development Secretary聽Priti Patel and Nigeria’s Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun.
What is the message for the 2017聽Spring Meetings?
Invest in quality care for young children and your country will reap the rewards.
Rafael P茅rez-Escamilla,聽Yale School of Public Health Professor,聽said a few days ago: “The social cost of inaction is enormous.聽
“The key message to decision-makers is, if you are really serious about your country attaining the Sustainable Development Goals . . . early childhood development should be the foundation of your effort.国产视频
He went further and said it was聽essential to invest much more in the first three years of a child’s life, when聽the brain is forming at an incredible speed.
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