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Early Childhood Development as Entry Point for Social Inclusion of Roma Children

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Early Childhood Development as Entry Point for Social Inclusion of Roma Children. Gordon Alexander Senior Advisor Economic and Social Policy UNICEF CEE/ CIS – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Early Childhood Development as Entry Point for Social Inclusion of Roma Children


1
Early Childhood Development as Entry Point for
Social Inclusion of Roma Children
  • Gordon Alexander Senior Advisor Economic and
    Social Policy UNICEF CEE/ CIS
  • Zagreb, 30 November 2010

2
By way of Preface in times of budget austerity.
  • a commitment to fairness ( the worse off
    shouldnt be further disadvantaged)
  • Children who are at risk of falling behind
  • No child growing up in a family that has less
    than living wage
  • Challenge the rise in xenophobia

3
Key messages
  • Core concept We need good policies for all
    children - plus additional support for
    marginalised children
  • Access to education for Roma critical but often
    too late
  • ECD spans 0-8 years (not just to pre-school)
  • ECD an essential but not sufficient condition
    for social inclusion

4
Latest science on Early Childhood The most rapid
period of growth and change in human lifespan
Language
Sensing
Pathways
Higher
Cognitive Function
(vision, hearing)
9
0
1
4
8
12
16
3
6
-3
-6
Months
Years
AGE OF CHILD
Source C. Nelson, in From Neurons to
Neighborhoods, 2000
5
CRC Committee General Comment 7 on Young Child
  • states failing on obligations to this age-group
  • children have rights from very beginning of
    their lives
  • special vulnerability of very young to poverty
    and discrimination, undermining capacities and
    well being
  • call for integrated approaches supporting
    parents as well as children

6
Components of an inclusive early childhood system
Early care and education opportunities in
stimulating environments where children are
supported to develop confidence, self-esteem,
language skills what they need to succeed in
school and life
Source adapted from ECD Systems Working Group,
Minnesota, 2007
7
There are successes and good practice(Partnershi
p REF, OSI, ISSA, UNICEF, WB, RRC.EU..)
  • Health and education mediators (Romania)
  • Parenting readiness for school (BH)
  • CIP Pre-schoool (Serbia)
  • Reform of teacher training KG ..
  • Yet mostly fragments of good practice, .. Some
    guidelines here training material there. No
    comprehensive approaches that address child
    wellbeing in full , or have gone to scale

8
Elements of a comprehensive strategy
  • a broad approach Pre- and post-delivery, 0- 3
    age group,
  • at least 2 years high quality pre-school or ECD
    for all Roma children
  • Community based initiatives ( especially engaging
    Roma women)
  • With special attention the 2 transitions
    family to preschool/ECD, from these to school

9
Supported by other critical interventions
  • Setting bold targets for reduction of child
    poverty
  • Strong links with equity in education supporting
    disadvantaged children through the system
  • Links to employment/ housing (remembering ECD
    creates jobs)
  • Not only services that will need to
    develop, but new familylife/behaviors and
    activities will need to emerge. Communities must
    be ready to address some rather large issues
    (e.g. status of women)

10
How much can be put in place in our settings?
For Roma children?
  • Start where services are in place (eg outreach
    from health system to families)
  • Make certain all elements are in place, in the
    same place .
  • Remains responsive and flexible

11
What will determine success?
  • ECD as integral part Social Inclusion strategies
  • Accountability in addressing discrimination in
    social services
  • Openness to experimentation and learning
  • Gathering and sharing evidence ( DG Employment
    intiative with UNICEF)
  • State Champions
  • Money.

12
Need for a sense of urgency
  • Progress is not fast enough
  • Shift incentives A Fund for ECD?
  • Advantages of a big bang approach
  • will also have a major impact on other equity
    issues plaguing the EU migrants, minorities,
    the disabled and intolerance.

13
New benchmarks results for Early Childhood
Development of marginalised children
  • Roma children
  • Mainstream ECD (Report Card 8)
  • Policies,
  • Community outreach
  • Access to quality services,
  • Investments
  • General context

14
Belgian EU Presidency Roma Platform meeting
December 13th 2011 focusing on ECD
15
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