The early years, particularly the first 1,000 days, are a critical period in a child’s development, with lifelong impacts. Evidence shows that one of the most effective strategies for economic growth is investing in the developmental growth of at-risk young children. However, early childhood development (ECD) programmes are severely challenged by the sheer scale of need in the face of early childhood care and education losses due to COVID-19 measures, growing global food insecurity, and low budget allocations for ECD during austerity. This brief makes a case for greater multisectoral investments in ECD (such as health education, nutrition, and child protection) and coherent policy responses. It uses India as a proof of concept with global potential by (1) understanding multidimensional deprivations among children under six; (2) tracking investments in ECD; and (3) ensuring sustainable access to nutrition and early learning opportunities in a ‘business not as usual’ manner.
Register for Updates
Would you like to receive updates on the Global Solutions Initiative, upcoming events, G7 and G20-related developments and the future of multilateralism? Then subscribe here!
1 You hereby agree that the personal data provided may be used for the purpose of updates on the Global Solutions Initiative by the Global Solutions Initiative Foundation gemeinnützige GmbH. Your consent is revocable at any time (by e-mail to contact@global-solutions-initiative.org or to the contact data given in the imprint). The update is sent in accordance with the privacy policy and to advertise the Global Solutions Initiative’s own products and services.