CCF Hosts International Conference on Children

Christian Children's Fund
Thursday, 23 October 2003

CCF Hosts International Conference on Children "Transforming Communities for Young Children" Conference: November 16-21, 2003

Christian Children's Fund, an international child development organization which is a recognized leader in early childhood development and child protection, will host an international conference focusing on Transforming Communities for Young Children, on November 16-21, in Washington, DC. The conference, which will feature national and international experts, is designed to facilitate the exchange of experiences and ideas among child development researchers, scholars, policy makers, organizational leaders and practitioners on child-focused community transformation.

The tone for the conference will be set by Malidoma Patrice Some„S, an African storyteller from Burkina Faso, West Africa, who will present an original work, "The Gift," written for CCF and accompanied by native instruments. "The Gift," starring a boy named Jopando, focuses on the resilience of children and the hidden reserves they have for surviving and thriving in spite of their environment.

A multimedia presentation, featuring children from developing countries, will reflect children's views on their lives and the communities in which they live, "The Children's Voices."

Key speakers for the conference include; Fraser Mustard, The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIAR); Robert Myers, Author of 'The Twelve Who Survive,' and Mark Malloch Brown, Administrator of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Invited participants from Africa, Asia, Central America, North America, South America, the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe will discuss recent research findings on poverty and ways that children cope with poverty and adversity. Innovative approaches that create opportunities for children's development in adverse living conditions will also be shared by noted experts in the field of Early Childhood, Poverty and Child Protection during key sessions throughout the conference.

Conference highlights will include: Recent findings on brain development and implications for child development; New evidence on the positive outcomes from investments in early childhood development; Understanding of how poverty affects young children and how they cope with adversity; Protecting children in adverse situations through synergetic, multi-sector programming; Children, families and communities as assets for societal transformation and development; Balancing traditional and modern views in child development programs; Challenges and opportunities for civil society participation in child development support; and Ways of measuring child-focused program results and impact.

"This conference will provide a platform for an exciting exchange of ideas with child development experts from all over the world," said John F. Schultz, President of CCF.
"It will focus on the latest, most comprehensive and innovative approaches to early child hood development. We also want to look at how a focus on young children can aid in the transformation of local communities," said Schultz.

The conference will be held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, 2260 Woodley Road NW in Washington, DC, (202) 328-2000. Conference registration should be made with CCF's Washington office at (202) 955-7951.

For more information, or to contact Christian Children's Fund, see their website at: www.christianchildrensfund.org