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
Report on care for Tanzanian pastoralist children
13-03-2006
The Monduli Pastoralist Development Initiative collaborates with families, communities and service providers in improving care for young pastoralist children in Tanzania. Read more about the context, methodology and challenges of their work in this report (pdf, 1.6mb) - summary (pdf, 799kb), prepared for BvLF by AMANI.
Mothers Centres campaign gathers pace
10-03-2006
The first questionnaire results are coming in from around the world in response to the first stage of the international campaign: "How do we want to raise our children?", run by the Mothers Centre International Network for Empowerment (MINE) and the Union of Slovak Mothers Centres. For further information aboput the campaign and how you can join the debate, see the campaign website.
ACEPP protests against delinquency tracking
09-03-2006
BvLF partner ACEPP (Association des Collectifs Enfants Parents Professionnels) asks you to join them in a campaign against proposals in France to create a national register tracking behaviour in young children which could be considered as indicators of future delinquency. Further information (in French) from ACEPP's website.
Children without parental care
03-03-2006
A new issue of the Bernard van Leer Foundation's journal, Early Childhood Matters, is now available. Guest-edited by Nigel Cantwell, this edition of ECM looks at the issue of children without parental care, with articles from Canada, Cambodia, Thailand, Guatemala, Tunisia and South Africa.
EUROCHIPS conference on imprisoned parents
03-03-2006
In Paris on May 12-13, the European Committee for Children of Imprisoned Parents (EUROCHIPS) is hosting a conference on "Children of Imprisoned Parents: European Perspectives", in collaboration with Fédération des Relais Enfants Parents and the Bernard van Leer Foundation. The conference, to be held in English and French, is aimed at early childhood professionals and practitioners, prison and probation services, justice ministry representatives, magistrates, international institutions and NGOs and associations. Download the conference programme (pdf, 120kb) and registration form (pdf, 830kb).
Eduquer nos enfants à la diversité
23-01-2006
The result of a collaboration between BvLF partners Les Amis du Furet, l'Ecole Santé Social du Sud Est, l'Association des Collectifs Enfants Parents Professionnels and author Michel Vandenbroeck, French-language publication Eduquer nos enfants à la diversité - about bringing up children to accept and cherish diversity - is now available to be ordered.
Working Paper: Globalisation and privatisation
18-01-2006
Our latest working paper is now available to order or download. In Globalisation and privatisation: The impact on childcare policy and practice, Michel Vandenbroeck of Ghent University looks at how our views about children, parents and public services have changed as a result of globalisation and privatisation in the last two decades, both globally and with particular reference to the example of Belgium.
ELRU recognised in Christmas fundraiser
06-01-2006
South African partner Early Learning Resource Unit (ELRU) was chosen by GreaterGood SA as one of its five official poverty eradication organisations for the "Make Christmas Matter" campaign. The campaign raised over ZAR 30,000 (EUR 4,000) for ELRU and is still open for donations.
BvLF announces new issue areas, eligible countries
02-01-2006
The Bernard van Leer Foundation is changing the way it approaches grantmaking in early childhood. For the coming years, the foundation will focus on three issue areas: strengthening the care environment, successful transitions and social inclusion/respect for diversity. Read more
Third PSS workshop held in Abuja
20-12-2005
The third of four BvLF-funded workshops on psychosocial support for young children living in communities affected by HIV/AIDS was held in Abuja, Nigeria, this month. The workshop, on findings and field applications, is part of an effort to raise young children up the international HIV/AIDS agenda ahead of the XVI International AIDS conference in Toronto in 2006. Read more
