Summary

Early childhood development is a critical investment to achieve sustainable development and peace. Accessible early childhood development services are needed to create a culture of peace, respect for diversity, social cohesion, and reduction of conflict and violence in communities worldwide.

Description

As the theme of this year’s General Debate is “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all,” a focus on young children’s contribution to the agenda is imperative and timely. 

The event will present scientific evidence around early childhood development and social cohesion/peacebuilding and showcase best practices from around the world over the last 25 years.

The panel discussion will aim to galvanize commitment for investment, advocate for stronger normative frameworks that support early childhood development, and promote meaningful collaboration for building peaceful societies through early childhood development investments among other means.

78TH SESSION UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY HIGH-LEVEL SESSION

Early Childhood Development: Pathways to Sustainable Peace

Thursday 28 September 2023

Morning Programme

10:00 am to 12:00 pm ET

UNITED NATIONS HQ SECRETARIAT BUILDING, 405 EAST 42ND STREET, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10017

CONFERENCE ROOM #5

Welcome

Master of Ceremony: Mr. Mark Feeney—Representing Early Years, the organization for young children (Northern Ireland)

Opening Remarks

“Celebrating 25 Years of Global Impact. Why Early Childhood Development is a vital opportunity to promote a Culture of Peace”

Dr. Rima Salah—Chairperson, Early Childhood Peace Consortium (ECPC)

Overview of ECPCs Work Divisions

Research

“What Science Says: Overview of ECPCs Early Childhood and Peacebuilding Research and Practice”

Dr. James F. Leckman—Neison Harris Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychology, and Pediatrics in the Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine; Co-chairperson, ECPC Research Division

Dr. Sascha Hein—Professor of Education and Psychology, Free University of Berlin; Co-chairperson, ECPC Research Division

Policy

“Policy Briefing: Why Early Childhood Development is a Promise for Peace”

Mrs. Suna Hanöz-Penney—International Programs Director, Mother-Child Education Foundation (AÇEV) (Istanbul, Turkey); Chairperson, ECPC Policy and Advocacy Division

Practice

Launch of volume “Foundations for a Peaceful World”

Dr. Joshua Feder—Medical Director at Positive Development

Dr. Ali Shaar—Director of the Palestinian Child Institute, An-Najah National University; Member, ECPC Advisory Board

Panel Discussion

“Lessons Learned: Key messages and Points of Action”

Facilitator: Dr. Catherine Panter-Brick—Bruce A. and Davi-Ellen Chabner Professor of Anthropology, Health, and Global Affairs, Yale University; Member, ECPC Research Working Group

Distinguished Panelists:

• H.E. Ambassador Paula Narvaez Ojeda—Permanent Representative of Chile to the United Nations
• H.E. Ambassador Arlene Tickner—Deputy Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations
• Dr. Najat Maalla M’Jid—Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children; Member, ECPC Executive Committee
• H.E. Ambassador Fergal Mythen—Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations
• Ms. Gina McIntyre—CEO Special European Union Programmes Body
• Sherrie Westin—President, Sesame Workshop; Member, ECPC Advisory Board

Video Presentation

“Ahlan Simsim” by Sesame Street

Sherrie Westin—President, Sesame Workshop; Member, ECPC Advisory Board

Call to Action/ Closing Remarks

Dr. Siobhán Fitzpatrick—Director International Network on Peace Building for Young Children (INPB); Regional Vice Co-chairperson for the Early Childhood Peace Consortium (ECPC); Chairperson, ECPC Programmatic Division

Overview & Prelude

“Seeds of Peace”

Dr. Erinna Dia—Associate Director and Early Childhood Development Global Lead, UNICEF