The AIDS Crisis and Early Childhood Education

06/06/2005

The AIDS Crisis and Early Childhood Education

"Too often we give our children answers to remember rather than problems to solve." - Roger Lewin

The AIDS Crisis and Early Childhood Education

At the 2005 World Forum, Michael Kelly gave one of the most moving presentations in the history of the World Forum when he addressed "The Power of Early Childhood as a Healing Force in the AIDS Crisis." He prefaced his remarks by observing that as tragic as the recent Tsunami was, with nearly 300,000 deaths, the AIDS epidemic results in the equivalent number of deaths every five weeks, year after year!

In concluding his remarks, Kelly addressed the potential role of early child development in addressing the AIDS Crisis:

"Perversely, although HIV/AIDS has worsened the situation for very young children, it has also underscored the urgency of making greater short-term and long-term commitments to catering for needs in these early years. The earliest years are crucial for development. Historically they have not received adequate attention or funding, particularly in resource poor settings. But the AIDS crisis has brought the early years into greater prominence. The focus that HIV/AIDS throws on child development in infancy and early childhood has shown that continuing the current neglect will place the future of individuals, families, communities and countries in jeopardy. Other research has shown that investing in ECD programmes brings numerous social and economic returns. Such benefits are desperately needed in the world’s poorest countries—the countries where millions of children are poor, malnourished and at risk, the countries where the child population is expanding at a rapid rate, and very often the countries where HIV/AIDS is most prevalent.

"Undoubtedly, HIV/AIDS and its impacts are calamitous. But they do not necessarily lead into a developmental cul-de-sac. The crisis presents a special opportunity for growth, reform and development. It underlines the crucial importance of ECD and other all-too-frequently-neglected areas. It presents the challenge of strengthening policy and practical approaches to ECD. It underscores the need to have the vision and will to do so, even while responses are being made to the pandemic and its impacts.

"And one final tantalisingly desirable benefit: focusing on early childhood in response to the many negative impacts of HIV and AIDS offers some hope that the AIDS pandemic itself might be more quickly overcome. It has long been acknowledged that the way to halt HIV/AIDS is to focus on young people. This is an admirable strategy, but it has not yet yielded the expected returns. Part of the reason may lie in the fact that the focus on young people has not extended to those aged 0–8. Building the physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, social and health competencies of very young children, in the context of the multitudinous attacks that HIV/AIDS makes on their well-being, might well be the key that the world needs to unlock the door to greater success in the global struggle against HIV/AIDS. If this were to happen, then early childhood would indeed prove itself a powerful healing force in the AIDS crisis."

To read Michael Kelly's complete presentation, go to: http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/wf/presentations/index.php

In response to Michael Kelly's presentation, the World Forum Foundation has pledged $5,000 to the agency designated by Kelly as his recipient of donations, Family Health International. To support AIDS efforts in Kelly's nation, Zambia, you can mail a check, in US$, to the address below. Note that the contribution is for the "Michael Kelly AIDS Fund." All funds received will be dedicated to AIDS efforts in Zambia.

If it is difficult for you to send a check in US$, send a message to Marie Porter at [email protected] and she can work with you on alternatives. To learn more about Family Health International, go to www.fhi.org.

Family Health International
Attn: Marie Porter
PO Box 13950
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
USA

Telephone: 1 (919) 544 7040
Fax: 1 (919) 544 7261

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