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At the 2007 World Forum in Kuala Lumpur, a group of individuals from Indonesia, South Africa, Belize, and other parts of the world, all of whom work in orphanages, decided to take some steps to show that residential care for babies doesn’t necessarily lead to long-term harmful effects. Working with representatives of the Pikler/Loczy Fund USA, the International Step by Step Association, and Community Playthings, this group planned a training program for caregivers in orphanages around the world. In October, 15 individuals working in orphanages will have the opportunity to study the research that a pediatrician by the name of Dr. Emmi Pikler started and her colleagues have continued for more than 60 years at the Pikler Institute. They will learn about how to raise infants and toddlers in residential settings so they grow up to be whole, healthy, productive adults able to create lasting relationships.

From the training at the Pikler Institute in Budapest in October participants will gain:

• a vision of excellent training of caregivers — what it looks like and how to do it
• an understanding of an integrated approach to infant-toddler residential care that really works
• knowledge about the importance of a close relationship between the infant and one primary caregiver plus several secondary caregivers
• skills related to creating a special kind of relationship between adult and child in a group setting
• an understanding of how to ensure that each baby comes to see herself as a competent and capable learner
• an understanding of how babies relate to each other, see themselves as part of their group, and still have an awareness of themselves as unique individuals.

At this point there are still a few openings in this training for individuals working in orphanages. The training will take place in Budapest, Hungary on October 1 – 5, 2007. The cost of this training is $2,200 per person. This fee covers five days of training, all materials, two meals a day, seven nights' accommodation, and local transportation.

We are also appealing for tax-deductible donations to underwrite the attendance of caregivers from areas of the world with limited financial resources.

If you want to learn more about attending or sponsoring this event, contact the World Forum Foundation at [email protected].

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