Getting to Know Your International Contacts-Part 3

                                    I still have had no success in contacting international early childhood professionals and will be completing the podcast alternative for this week’s assignment.  The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (n.d.) is an international organization that has focused upon the advancement of Early Childhood Care and Education as well as several other areas of research, study, policy and advocacy.  They support the holistic approach to child development and lead an international push for integration of early childhood care and education systems.  I have explored the UNESCO Early Childhood Care and Education website and found a few areas of interest related to the professional goals I formed in the Foundations course and several that are related to issues and trends we have discussed within this course.  My goals from the Foundations course are as follows:

Goal 1:  I will continue my master’s degree and upon completion move onto the next level of education.  I will strive to be a life-long learner.  This process will include exposure to relevant research and the thoughts and ideas of diverse children, families, and professionals.  I will continue to grow and learn through the practice of self-reflection and observation.

Goal2:  I will become a more powerful advocate for children by adding to and staying current with my knowledge of policy, funding, and early childhood issues.  I will refine my communication skills through education and practice.  I will take advantage of any and all opportunities to advocate for children, their families, and the field of early childhood.

Goal 3:  I will continue to contribute to and enhance the lives of children, their families, and the field of early childhood in whatever position I hold as a professional in the field.  I will not be deterred by doubt, negativity, or criticism of others (Ferguson, 2012).

            Within the UNESCO website there are sections that address the subjects of access and equity, quality, investment and financing, and coordination and integration.  They call for higher levels of education of the providers in order to assure quality services to children.  Equity of care is addressed.  As within the United States, this is also a problem in many other nations that children from affluent families are receiving higher quality services and those who are in the most need, cannot afford them and are receiving lower quality care.  There is a push for coordinated and comprehensive systems that serve from an early age through the school years.  There is a move toward alignment of programs.  They still have no universal system of standards and policy for early childhood as yet either.  UNESCO strives to educate, advocate, inform policy makers, and overall positively impact the lives of children and families.  My efforts and goals are of a similar nature, but on a much smaller scale. 

References

Ferguson, C. (2012). Foundations in early childhood. EDUC 6005. Week 8      Assignment 1.

United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. (n.d.).  Early childhood care and education. Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/ .