I looked up the Harvard University’s website about the “Global Children’s Initiative” and learned that Chile is doing something about their early childhood programs. An organization called Un Buen Comienzo, or A Good Start, plans to help teachers and childhood workers further their “professional development” (Harvard University, 2011) They plan on doing a study of 60 early childhood programs that involve children from ages four to six. The most interesting part is that Chile is the first South American country to start something like this. This could really revolutionize a start to improving early childhood programs throughout Latin America.
There was also a conference in Moscow around this time last year, where a goal of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization was revisited. The goal was “In 2000, the world’s governments established a set of ambitious international goals—such as ending extreme poverty and hunger, ensuring that every child worldwide completes at least a primary education, and reducing child mortality by two-thirds—to be achieved by 2015” (Harvard University, 2011) To me these goals are great but we all know how fast 2015 is approaching. How can the UN possibly fulfill them all now? It will however, be great to see how far they have come in 15 years.
From reading through this website it is hard to take in all that is happening in the huge world around us. It is also hard not to want to jump in and help. What seems to be the best remedy for this is to find a place locally that I can volunteer or donate to. At least starting somewhere has its advantages because the help grows and grows from that point on and a little help goes a long way to providing a safer and healthier life for a child.
Harvard University. (2011). Un Buen Comienzo. Global Children’s Initiative. Online article retrieved from http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/activities/global_initiative/ubc/
Harvard University. (2011). Global Gathering in Moscow Put Spotlight on Early Childhood Issues. Global Child Development. Online article retrieved from http://developingchild.harvard.edu/topics/global_child_development/moscow-conference/#
Disappointing to hear that you haven't gotten any responses to your requests for communication. However, there's clearly much to learn from exploring various websites. It's encouraging to hear that Chile is recognizing the need to improve early education through teacher development. It would be great if Chile was to set the stage for other Latin American countries to take action.
ReplyDeleteI'm not even sure how to respond to the 15-year plan to accomplish such significant goals. I hate to be the nay-sayer, but it's not looking good! However, I wonder how they thought they would be able to keep their "eye on the ball" with so much going on in the world. It's such a huge under-taking and I, too, am interested to hear about just how much progress they were able to make.
Thank you for sharing information about Chile! I explored this website as well because I haven't had success making contact with international professionals. But I did not see this great story about the endeavor Chile is taking in studying 60 early childhood programs. It's great that we are able to explore these websites through our graduate school studies!
ReplyDeleteCaitlyn