Saturday, June 16, 2012

Internation Contacts- part 3/ ALTERNATIVE


This week, I investigated UNESCO’s Early Childhood Care and Education webpage, which can be found at http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/.   Three things I learned through this webpage are as follows:

1.       1. I found out that UNESCO organized the first World Conference on ECCE in September of 2010.  Through this conference, a global action agenda known as Moscow Framework for Action and Cooperation: Harnessing the Wealth of Nations was put into place.  Since the World Conference, UNESCO has been working with Member States, partners, and other stakeholders to follow through and make sure the Moscow Framework is being implemented as planned.  

2.       2. I learned that April 22nd through 28th was Global Action Week.  The Global Campaign for Education organized this event as a way to raise awareness on the importance of education for all children on a global level.  The slogan for this week was “Rights from the start!  Early Childhood Care and education now!”.  The focus was on one of the goals of Education for All, which is “expanding and improving comprehensive early childhood care and education, especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children”.

3.       3. The last thing I looked at was an article that talked about 10 reasons to invest in early childhood education.  Some of these reasons were 1) it is a right, 2) it is crucial to children’s brain development, 3) it encourages values in children, and 4) it yields higher investment returns.

I learned a lot through my investigation but the one thing that sticks out to me the most was the article about investing in early childhood education.  Throughout this class, we have been talking about different issues and trends in early childhood.  Until this class, I never really looked at early childhood as an investment in terms of an economical standpoint.  Since that portion of this class, I seem to be finding this information everywhere.

3 comments:

  1. Dear Melinda,

    I also have been seeing the advocacy for investing in early childhood education... It seems though it's more wishful thinking as wages and steady funding seem to be a dream more than a reality. Thanks for sharing information about UNESCO. It appears globally there is a need for better resources for children.

    Until final week!
    Angie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Melinda, I agree that by expanding and improving early childcare and education, we can reach the disadvantage children and their families. Eespecially by improving the knowledge of the parents, that will help them to understand that their children can get and education a.s well as the fortune ones

    ReplyDelete
  3. Melinda,
    Good information !
    I believe empowering parents which in turn they can advocate for their children , just as Gloria has mentioned, is just as important as the educators are empowered to do what they have been trained and have a passion for.
    I am encouraged to have learned there is more and more professionals and organizations jumping on the advocacy band wagon and with high hopes to improving family friendly public policies, education opportunities/availabilities, and the lives of children and families through the world.

    ReplyDelete