Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 2

This week I was unable to connect with my professional contact. She was busy and did not respond to my questions. I  have decided instead to share the insights that I have garnered from the Harvard University’s Global Children’s Initiative website this week.                                  
 The  Harvard University’s Global Children’s Initiative website provides much information on the work that is being done all over the world to address issues of equity and excellence. I was able to gain insights on the purpose of the Global Children's Initiative Program, their objectives and the work that they are doing around the world globe.The Center on the Developing Child has launched the Global Children’s Initiative as the centerpiece of its global child health and development agenda, in an explicit effort to build an integrated international approach to child survival, health, and development in the earliest years of life. However the insight that I found most interesting was the article by  Jack Shonkoff. He states that "Achieving sustained prosperity in any society depends on building a strong foundation in all children in order to help them fulfill many roles: successful learners, healthy and productive workers, contributing members of their community, and effective parents of the next generation. Early childhood policies and programs contribute to these goals by providing enhanced learning experiences for children living in poverty, as well as parenting education and supports for their families. But while these policies and programs have produced long-term benefits for individuals and society, the quality of implementation and magnitude of impacts have been inconsistent at best. If we want to do better for our children, we must aim higher" (Shonkoff, 2013).

 I do agree that more needs to be done at the implementation level in order to magnify the impacts programs and policies have on their intended target. In my country I have seen investment of millions of dollars in projects and programs. However, the implementation of these programs were not as impacting thus many times the magnitude of impact  on the target was missed. I believe greater monitoring at the implementation level is needed. This will help to ensure maximum quality out.

Harvard University’s “Global Children’s Initiative” website (http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative/),