Adding an International Perspective

Adding an International Perspective

                When I began this journey for my Master’s Degree, I thought about where I have been during my 20 plus years in the field and wondered how much more could there be to learn.  The new knowledge I have gained through our coursework during   Issues and Trends in Early Childhood expanded my understanding of the many issues young children face around the world.  I was not able to make a connection with an early childhood professional somewhere else in the world after several attempts but I don’t think that hindered my learning.

                Over the past seven weeks, I became familiar with valuable resources that comprehensively addressed many important issues that affect children in different parts of the world.  The podcasts made available on the World Forum provided a wealth of information.  Several of the podcasts I viewed touched me deeply as I was reminded of some of the horrible conditions families live in.  The work of the government in Tanzania to increase the level of protection for children in terms of abuse was heart wrenching (Smith, A., 2011). I also learned about the positive efforts being made  by government in some of the poorest countries to provide appropriate child care so parents can work.  I found it very interesting that many of the countries of the world place a tremendous value on educating the youngest in their community. It seems to go fare beyond what we do in our country.  There was also a sense of importance given to including parents in their child’s learning on all levels.  Gaining additional knowledge about UNESCO and its services to many countries was important as I continue to become more aware of the issues in the world.

                Personally, this new knowledge has provided me with a different context to understand the importance  of general safety and rights for all children.  A goal for our field related to international issues should be tied to supporting  a level equity for all children to be safe and be given opportunities to learn.

                As we move on to the next course, I want  my classmates know how much hearing about the challenges each of them face within their communities helped me realize it is not just my community that is struggling and that we need to band together to be a strong voice  for the importance of educating  young children. I appreciated everyone’s feedback each week as we discussed the various issues.  The value in what has been shared is immeasurable.  I also want to express my gratitude for the wealth of information that everyone brought to the group each week from their own experiences.    I wish each one of you  many opportunities to continue making a difference in the lives of children and their families.

Reference

Smith A., (2011) Global Development/ the guardian. Retrieved from http://guardian.co.uk/global-                   development/audioslideshow/2011/aug/09/violence-against -children.

International Contacts

International contacts

                Unfortunately, I have not been able to establish any international contacts.  Through my research however, I have found some excellent resources on the effects of poverty on young children throughout the world. I listened to a podcast of a recent symposium titled “Tackling Child Poverty in the Twenty –first Century “took place at the New School in New York City.  Two of the participants included Dr. Jo Boyden, Director of Young Lives at the University of Oxford, England and Professor Alberto Minujin from Equity for Children project at the New School addressed critical issues worldwide related to the effects of poverty on children.  Dr. Boyden opened the podcast by reviewing general issues we think of most often in terms of poverty and its effects on young children. She spoke from a world perspective stating that we have made strides in the areas of health and education that have been addressed in a straight forward manor. She noted that while gaps still exist, some progress has been made to address them. s.  She then went on to talk about those serious issues that are not presently in the forefront but are extremely damaging to children. Dr. Boyden used the term “child protection issues” which include child trafficking, violence in the home and exploitation of children through child labor (equality for children, 2012). I found her perspective very interesting.  She pointed out how complex these issues are because they are influenced by many things including cultural norms and belief systems.   Professor  Minujin  discussed the Young Lives project which is a longitudinal study conducted collaboratively by several major universities over a 15 year period in four countries- India , Viet Nam, Ethiopia and Peru. The purpose of the study is to effect policy by transforming the way we think about its effects on children (equalityforchildren, 20102).

                I found the discussion on the podcast very informative.  It presented a perspective on the underlying effects of poverty that I hadn’t thought about before.  It expanded my view on poverty and has made me more aware of the complex nature of understanding all of the effects instead of those factors that are in the forefront.  I realized how easy it is to become focused on the aspects of poverty in my community rather than taking a world view.  As an early childhood professional, I also realize how important it is take the next step outside of my own community and gain a world view.

Boydon, J & Minujin, A., (2012). Young Lives panel discussion at the New School. Retrieved from                      http://www.equalityforchildren.org/young-lives-panel-discussion-at -the-new-school