Abstract
This chapter makes a case for investing in early childhood development (ECD) programs and services as a key mechanism to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and contributing to peacebuilding efforts in the global context. The links among early childhood development, sustainable development and peacebuilding are discussed from macroeconomic, biodevelopmental and social perspectives. We use the Global Peace Index (formulated by the Institute of Economics and Peace to measure progress towards peace across countries) to illustrate links between ECD program outcomes and peacebuilding-relevant indicators. Drawing from this analysis, we frame a theory of change that includes overarching inputs, activities, outputs and outcomes of the ‘peacebuilding through ECD’ agenda. The chapter outlines research gaps and priorities to bolster the evidence-base of peacebuilding through ECD in multiple contexts. We put forth a call to action for interdisciplinary research and multi-sectoral partnerships to effectively leverage peacebuilding through ECD as a strategy for sustainable development.
The information contained in this document expresses the authors’ personal views and opinions and does not necessarily represent positions of the organizations they are currently employed with.
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Notes
- 1.
In this chapter we make use of the word peacebuilding and use it interchangeably with sustaining peace.
- 2.
Ban Ki-Moon, “United Nations General Assembly, side event Meeting of the Minds” (New York, NY, September 22, 2015)
- 3.
The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) provides measurable domains as part of the Global Peace Index that are used to quantify each country’s progress toward peace. The specific indicators are detailed subsequently in this chapter.
- 4.
The Resolution is now formally numbered as A/RES/72/137, was adopted in 2017, and can be accessed in the following link: http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/72/137.
- 5.
Experts included members and technical advisors of the Early Childhood Peacebuilding Consortium.
- 6.
This theory of change was jointly formulated in a participatory Early Childhood Development Peace Consortium workshop, held in February 2017. For more information on the Consortium: http://www.ecdpeace.org.
- 7.
Peace-promoting elements in this context refer to leveraging social services in ways that they mitigate drivers and triggers of conflict. For example, UNICEF’s Peacebuiling, Education and Advocacy Programme pursued this strategy in 14 post-conflict countries.
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Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the funding support of the Jacobs Foundation, Alex and Ani, and the H&M Foundation for the completion of this chapter and the editorial contributions of Majd Al-Soleiti.
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Angelica Ponguta, L. et al. (2018). Early Childhood Development Programs, Peacebuilding, and the Sustainable Development Goals: Opportunities for Interdisciplinary Research and Multisectoral Partnerships. In: Verma, S., Petersen, A. (eds) Developmental Science and Sustainable Development Goals for Children and Youth. Social Indicators Research Series, vol 74. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96592-5_4
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