Early Childhood Matters is now online! Read, discuss and share individual articles on a new dedicated website.
Community violence: The new edition of Early Childhood Matters, on the subject of Community violence and young children: making space for hope, looks at the effects on young children of growing up in a violent community, and explores interventions from around the world which are offering practical solutions.
Healthy environments: The latest in the Early Childhood in Focus series of briefing notes, co-published with the Open University, shows the importance of physical environment as intimately linked to the process of growth and development of skills and identity of the child.
The Bernard van Leer Foundation is an international grantmaking foundation based in The Hague.
Our mission is to improve opportunities for children up to age 8 who are growing up in socially and economically difficult circumstances. We see this both as a valuable end in itself and as a long-term means to promoting more cohesive, considerate and creative societies with equal opportunities and rights for all.
Latest news from the Bernard van Leer Foundation
Adam Institute: The First Steps in Democracy
03-02-2009
The Adam Institute for Peace and Democracy have produced, with foundation support, a film entitled "The First Steps in Democracy".
Jewish and Arab children together after the war
03-02-2009
"The most important fact is that we still manage to keep an atmosphere for discussion and debate." Read an open letter from Orly Almi, development director of Hagar: Jewish-Arab Education for Equality, on the experience of Jewish and Arab children returning to preschool after the war in Gaza.
Report on Kinderschapsvorming seminar
02-02-2009
The book Kinderschapsvorming was presented last November at a seminar hosted by our partner Stichting Child Care International, reported on in this article (in Dutch) in Beleid Bestuur Managements Pedagogiek in de Kinderopvang. The book focuses on young children and democratic citizenship.
Hand in Hand January newsletter
02-02-2009
Read the latest from Hand in Hand, including the impact of the war in Gaza on pupils in the Arab-Jewish schools, and a visit by UK foreign secretary David Miliband.
Foundation publications on Search4Dev
21-01-2009
The Bernard van Leer Foundation's publications are now available through Search4Dev, an online library for digital publications of Dutch organizations in the international development cooperation sector. Funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Search4Dev is a collaborative venture that aims to reduce the gap between science, policy and development practice.
War time is the opportunity to talk
15-01-2009
Read reflections from the Differences and Multicultural Institute on a project facilitator's role amid the war in Gaza.
Music as a common denominator
12-01-2009
"The current events in Gaza are heartbreaking. Nevertheless, we believe that, especially in extremely difficult times as the present one, it is crucial to show the determination and good will of Jews and Palestinians committed to dialogue - we do this through music rather than words, through culture rather than politics and through a deep appreciation for music as a common denominator while appreciating differences as an enriching element." Read more about the Beit Al-Musica initiative, a foundation grantee, here (pdf).
Reflections from the battlefront
06-01-2009
"These are days of trial, of pain, of violence and of war..." - read foundation partner NISPED's reflections on the current escalation of violence in Gaza. For brighter news from the region, watch this story of hope from Israel Broadcasting Corporation on another of NISPED's projects, the Arab-Bedouin Women's Catering Enterprise in Hura.
Resilience manual in English and Arabic
23-12-2008
We are pleased to share the manual Building Resilience in Preschool Children, published by our partner the Israel Centre for the Treatment of Psychotrauma, in English and Arabic (pdf files). It includes general information about resilience and five chapters of suggested classroom activities.
Young children, HIV/AIDS and gender: Working Paper available in Nepali
18-12-2008
A Nepali translation of the foundation's Working Paper number 39 - Young children, HIV/AIDS and gender: A summary review - has been produced by Sakriya Sath. Download it here (pdf, 0.5mb).
