78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

The ECPC presents “Early Childhood Development: Pathways to Sustainable Peace”

It gives us great pleasure to welcome you all to this UNGA High-level Session “Early Childhood Development: Pathways to Sustainable Peace”. We express our gratitude and  appreciation to the Missions of Ireland, Chile, and Colombia for sponsoring this timely event.

This high-level session will feature eminent and renowned speakers who will demonstrate by science and practice the importance of investing in Early Childhood Development (ECD) as a sustainable pathway to peace. We will call for the elevation of young children and families on the United Nations’ New Agenda for Peace.

► See the Full Program (presentations, Call to Action, speaker biographies)

► Watch on UN Web TV

Welcome 

• Mr. Mark Feeney (Master of Ceremony)—Representing Early Years, the organization for young children (Northern Ireland)

Opening Remarks  “Heralding a New Era for a Culture of Peace”

• Dr. Rima Salah—Chairperson, Early Childhood Peace Consortium (ECPC)

Overview of ECPCs Work Divisions

Research. “What Science Says: Overview of ECPCs Early Childhood and Peacebuilding Research and Practice”

• Dr. James F. Leckman—Neison Harris Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychology, and Pediatrics in the Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine; Co-chairperson, ECPC Research Division
• Dr. Sascha Hein—Professor of Education and Psychology, Free University of Berlin; Co-chairperson, ECPC Research Division, 

Policy  “Policy Briefing: Why Early Childhood Development is a Promise for Peace”

• Mrs. Suna Hanöz-Penney—International Programs Director, Mother-Child Education Foundation (AÇEV) (Istanbul, Turkey); Chairperson, ECPC Policy and Advocacy Division

Practice  Launch of volume “Foundations for a Peaceful World”

• Dr. Joshua Feder—Medical Director at Positive Development 
• Dr. Ali Shaar—Director of the Palestinian Child Institute, An-Najah National University; Member, ECPC Advisory Board

Panel Discussion “Lessons Learned: Key messages and Points of Action”

• Dr. Catherine Panter-Brick—Bruce A. and Davi-Ellen Chabner Professor of Anthropology, Health, and Global Affairs (Anthropology, Jacksoon School of Global Affairs); Member ECPC Expert Support & Research Working Group

• H.E. Ambassador Paula Narvaez Ojeda—Permanent Representative of Chile to the United Nations
• H.E. Ambassador Arlene Tickner—Deputy Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations
• Dr. Najat Maalla M’Jid—Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children; Member, ECPC Executive Committee
• H.E. Ambassador Fergal Mythen—Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations
• Ms. Gina McIntyre—CEO Special European Union Programmes Body
• Sherrie Westin—President, Sesame Workshop; Member, ECPC Advisory Board

Video Presentation “Ahlan Simsim” by Sesame Street 

• Sherrie Westin—President, Sesame Workshop; Member, ECPC Advisory Board

Call to Action & Closing Remarks

• Dr. Siobhán Fitzpatrick—Director International Network on Peace Building for Young Children (INPB); Regional Vice Co-chairperson for the Early Childhood Peace Consortium (ECPC); Chairperson, ECPC Programmatic Division

Overview & Prelude to “Seeds of Peace”

• Dr.  Erinna Dia—Associate Director and Early Childhood Development Global Lead, UNICEF

An in-person reception will follow (invitation only)