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
VBJK presents film and brochure
08-11-2006
On Thursday 16 November in Ghent, Belgium, VBJK (Research and Resource Centre for Early Childhood Care and Education) will present a film, Childcare stories: Multiple perspectives of parents about education, employment and childcare, and a brochure - Ouderpartcipatie, ook voor vaders (parent participation, also for fathers) - on how to involve fathers in childcare. These products were developed with support from the foundation and others.
Multicultural education in early childhood
27-10-2006
Foundation partner The Venezia Institite is holding a conference entitled "Multicultural education in early childhood" in Tel Aviv on 15 November. Also, check out a new page on the Venezia Institute's website for more details - with video clips - of their foundation-funded work on promoting multiculturalism among young children in Israel.
Education for All report on early childhood
26-10-2006
UNESCO's Education for All Global Monitoring Report 2007 is published on October 26 on the theme of early childhood. The Bernard van Leer Foundation was delighted to have had the opportunity to provide input into this latest GMR. We believe the report will make 2007 the year of early childhood in EFA, and consider that it sheds important light on our activities to raise early childhood issues on the international agenda. Read more
UNESCO Courier features foundation projects
26-10-2006
The Roving Caregivers Programme in Jamaica, Community Mothers Programme in Ireland and "Loipi" projects with Kenyan pastoralists are among the foundation-funded projects deatured in the October 2006 edition of the UNESCO Courier.
Legion d'Honneur for foundation partner
25-10-2006
Nebahat Akkoç, President of Turkish women's organisation and foundation partner KA-MER, has been awarded France's highest honour, the Legion d'Honneur medal. KA-MER implements the Life for Children project, which aims to challenge cultural, traditional or educational practices which are harmful to women and children.
Young children, HIV/AIDS and gender
02-10-2006
Attitudes towards gender that are inculcated in early childhood can play a significant role in creating adult behaviours that lead to the spread of HIV/AIDS. This new working paper, Young children, HIV/AIDS and gender: A summary review, explores how to use the early years to lay the foundations for HIV/AIDS prevention.
Working with children in radio broadcasting
02-10-2006
The foundation-funded publication "Bua Fela - Just Talk", published by ABC Ulwazi in South Africa, is now at the printers and will be available for distribution soon. This practical guide to working with children in radio broadcasting is based on the experiences gained by ABC Ulwazi during the Speak Free Project, funded by the foundation since 2003. If you are interested in a copy, email info@abculwazi.org.za.
KCDF's new logo, forum and funds
26-09-2006
Kenya Community Development Foundation, which implements the Capacity Building and Early Childhood Development project, has launched a new logo together with a sponsors' forum and new funds for food security and girl children. Read more on KCDF's website.
Literacy project wins White House recognition
08-09-2006
Following on from its recent award (see news item below), South Africa's Family Literacy Project has been selected as one of the nine programmes to be highlighted in the White House Conference on Global Literacy (press release, pdf, 28kb). Hosted by Mrs Laura Bush, the conference will be held in New York this month.
Family Literacy Project wins award
06-09-2006
Foundation partner the Family Literacy Project, which implements the Masifunde Njengomndeni project in KwaZulu Natal province of South Africa, has won an award for best adult literacy project in KwaZulu Natal. The award, from the Adult Learning Network, complements awards in previous years for best adult learner, adult educator and adult literacy group.
