Promoting social cohesion and peacebuilding through investment in early childhood development programs

Dunne, Laura and Brennan-Wilson, Aoibheann and Craig, Nicole and Miller, Sarah and Connolly, Paul and Leckman, James and Aber, J. Lawrence and Yoshikawa, Hirokazu and Fitzpatrick, Siobhan and Pham, Phuong and Vinck, Patrick and Walmsley, Pauline (2021) Promoting social cohesion and peacebuilding through investment in early childhood development programs. In: Transitioning to Peace. Peace Psychology Book Series . Springer, Cham, pp. 305-322. ISBN 9783030776879

Abstract

Millions of children worldwide will not reach their potential in terms of education and development. However, it is widely known that investment in high-quality early childhood development (ECD) pays rich dividends throughout the lifespan of an individual, impacting their own lives, families, and communities in a positive way. Further evidence points to the importance of ECD in delivering the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The multi-sectoral, integrated provision of ECD services is ideally placed to facilitate holistic positive change and enhance social cohesion in some of the most inequitable and vulnerable contexts. The LINKS project brings together an international network of researchers, who work in strategic partnership with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Early Years the Organisation for Young Children in Northern Ireland to support the development, implementation, and evaluation of ECD programs in low- and middle-income countries impacted by divisions and conflict. The project is designed to contribute to the international evidence base on ECD for social cohesion and sustaining peace to make a real difference in the lives of children, caregivers, and communities.