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"Those who make the worst use of their time are the first to complain of its brevity." - La Bruyere in Characters

The Power of ECE as a Healing Force

"Different Drums of Ireland" provided a symbolic and dramatic opening to Working Forum Belfast. This musical group unites the traditional drums of both the Nationalist and Unionist cultures of Northern Ireland, as well as instruments from other world cultures, to demonstrate that out of diversity can come harmony. This theme was the focus as 240 early childhood professionals from 22 nations gathered in Belfast to explore how early childhood programs can be a positive force in bringing communities together after conflict. Working Forum Belfast was a joint venture of the World Forum Foundation and NIPPA �" the Early Years Organisation.

A full report on the proceedings of Working Forum Belfast is being prepared. Here are a few highlights:

* Delegates were treated to outstanding hospitality and political respect and attention in Belfast. They were welcomed by Lord Mayor Tom Egan at a reception at City Hall and addressed by Minister of Education, Barry Gardner and Chief Executive for Special EU Programmes, Pat Colgan in opening presentations. They attended a banquet at Stormont, the home of the closed Northern Ireland Parliament, hosted by Dominic Bradley, MLA. Closing ceremonies included Nigel Williams, Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, and Dr. Paul Geddis, Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister. Delegates were welcomed throughout Northern Ireland to see how communities are working through early childhood programs to provide a more hopeful future. They witnessed history in the making as Members of Parliament from the two key opposing parties, Bairbre de Brun, Sinn Fein, and James Allister, Democratic Unionist Party, appeared on the same stage for the first time ever.

* Hope was raised by the sharing of strategies and solutions that are making a difference: media initiatives and cross cultural early childhood programs in Northern Ireland are demonstrating one way to reverse the vestiges of hatred; in Colombia early childhood programs in communities ravaged by conflict are empowering families, children and communities by providing education and support; in Israel a nursery school for Israeli and Palestinian children is demonstrating that people of different faiths can live in harmony.

* The nature of conflicts impacting children were explored, including: in Nepal families are threatened by both the Maoist rebels and the Nepalize military forces; in Albania blood feuds result in the killing of all male members of families; in Papua New Guinea the collision of traditional village life and the pressures of the global economy are resulting in ever-increasing poverty and violence.

* The impact of conflict on children was presented:  in central Africa thousands of children are being orphaned and displaced by war; in Northern Ireland children as young as three are picking up the sensitivities and symbols that set up factions and as young people many still live in fear of being violently attacked; in the Philippines children and women are caught in the crossfire of the battle between military and rebels.

* The first meeting of the IBM-funded Global Leaders took place at Working Forum Belfast. Emerging leaders from South Africa, Mexico, and Hungary, mentored by Joan Lombardi and Abby Shapiro, planned advocacy projects and participated in Working Forum Belfast.

The process of exploring early childhood as a healing force and the Global Leaders project will be continued at the World Forum on Early Care and Education in Montreal from May 17 - 20, 2005 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. For information on the 2005 World Forum and updates on Working Forum Belfast and the Global Leaders Project, go to www.WorldForum2005.com.

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