Over the past decade, the humanitarian sector has
increasingly recognized the critical importance of Early Childhood Development
in Emergencies (ECDiE). However, despite this growing awareness, there remains
a significant gap in support for caregivers and educators who play pivotal
roles in children's lives during crises. These key figures often find
themselves overwhelmed and under-resourced, struggling to provide the necessary
care and education that children desperately need in challenging circumstances.
We recognize that
children's holistic development is intrinsically linked to the wellbeing and
capacity of their caregivers and educators. Yet, in emergency contexts, these
essential support systems are frequently strained or disrupted, potentially
leading to long-term negative impacts on children's growth and development. To
address this critical issue, there is an urgent need to develop and implement
innovative strategies that strengthen the support network around children in
emergencies. This includes not only immediate interventions but also
sustainable approaches that build resilience and capacity within communities.
The objectives of this session are:
- Understand the Importance of
Supporting Caregivers and Educators in Emergencies
- Highlight the critical role caregivers
and educators play in fostering children's holistic development,
particularly in crisis settings, and how their well-being directly
impacts outcomes for children
- Recognize the link between caregiver
well-being and child development
- Discuss how caregiver mental health,
economic empowerment, and preparedness enhance their ability to support
children effectively during emergencies
- Discover Best Practices for Advocacy
and Implementation
- Share insights from Moving Minds
Alliance’s advocacy efforts, Tiny Totos’ implementation strategies, and
Geneva Cluster’s guidance to strengthen caregiver support systems in
diverse contexts.
- Understand the Role of Partnerships
- Emphasize the importance of
collaborative approaches among innovators, caregivers, educators, and
community organizations to scale impactful solutions
- Encourage Cross-Sector Collaboration
- Learn how we can integrate advocacy,
implementation, and policy guidance to address gaps in caregiver support
systems during emergencies
- Learn About Grand Challenges
Canada’s Play Learn Thrive Portfolio
- Provide an overview of the portfolio’s
focus on creating robust support systems for children in complex crisis
settings, emphasizing unserved and underserved populations.
By bringing together diverse perspectives and experiences we
aim to catalyze action toward creating more robust and effective support
systems for children in emergencies.
Speakers:
Host and Moderator:
Charlotte Stemmer, Head of Geneva Office, Plan
International
Michelle Cruickshank, Portfolio Lead, Child Development,
Grand Challenges Canada
Panel Speakers:
Emma Caddy, CEO and Founder, Tiny Totos Kenya
Friedrich Affolter, Global Education Cluster
Coordinator
Tricia Young, Director, Moving Minds Alliance
