Title: Early Childhood Development as Entry Point for Social Inclusion of Roma Children
1Early 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
2By 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
3Key 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
4Latest 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
5CRC 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
6Components 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
7There 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
8Elements 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 -
9Supported 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)
10How 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.
12Need 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.
13New benchmarks results for Early Childhood
Development of marginalised children
- Mainstream ECD (Report Card 8)
- Policies,
- Community outreach
- Access to quality services,
- Investments
- General context
14Belgian EU Presidency Roma Platform meeting
December 13th 2011 focusing on ECD
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