International Contacts Part 2

            Since I have not heard back from any of the international contact attempts, I listened to a podcast on the World Forum Radio.  This week, I chose to listen to Maysoun Chehab discuss her work as a Regional Early Childhood Care and Development Program Coordinator at the Arab Resource Collective in Beirut, Lebanon.  Her work there is non-government related.  She works with early childhood practitioners, policymakers, and the community to give information regarding children’s rights, best practices, and other relevant information.  Much of the information is in Arabic and seeks to target communities about issues in ECE. 

            Maysoun Chehab has been with this organization since 2005.  After the 33 day war on Lebanon, she worked on a project (beginning July 2006) that would give psychosocial support to children.  She related that many were affected by this war, as 126 primary schools were completely destroyed.  She said that families and children needed support post war to work on the emotional and social reactions the war had aroused.  Her work began with families first, because she felt if the adults did not have support, they could not adequately support the children.  After six days of intensive training, the adults were better equipped to help the children. 

            I also visited Harvard’s “Global Children’s Initiative” website (http://developingchild.harvard.edu/activities/global_initiative/).  As we know, the first, earliest years of life are some of the most important in the development of children.  The Center at Harvard is promoting the mission of the importance of ECE all across the globe.  To do this, research is key, coupled with education.

            In Brazil, the Center is collaborating with Brazilian experts and beginning a program called “Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância.”  This seeks to take knowledge about child development and health and create better policies for children.  Policymakers, politicians, and leaders came together to discuss early childhood development.  I found this interesting as they all wanted to learn more to advance early childhood education.

            I found the biography of Gunther Fink to be inspiring.  He was a professor of international health economics at Harvard and began assessing the effect that malaria had in the country of Zambia.  There is no malaria vaccine available, and this and HIV is the leading cause of death in children under the age of five.  He began to ponder ways that this could be changed.  With measures such as treated bed mosquito nets, mosquito spray, and anti-malaria medication, the effects have been positive.  The death rate has declined.

            I was surprised at the global work of the Harvard based Center.  I learned the importance of advocating for children globally!