Act for Early Years: Why You Should Sign the Theirworld Petition Before the G20 Meeting
The early years of a child’s life are crucial for their overall development and future success. Research has shown that early childhood education and care can improve children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development; leading to better academic achievement and higher earnings in adulthood. However, millions of children around the world are missing out on this essential foundation for their future.
The COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened the situation, with school closures and economic hardships exacerbating existing inequalities. According to a report by UNESCO, the pandemic has affected over 1.6 billion learners in more than 190 countries, with the most vulnerable children being the hardest hit. In our programmes in Tanzania and Ethiopia, we are witnessing this first hand while we ensure the youngest and most vulnerable children receive the foundation they need to thrive
Theirworld, a global children’s charity, has launched the Act for Early Years campaign. The campaign aims to put early childhood education and care on the global agenda and urge G20 leaders to invest in this critical area.
Theirworld’s campaign calls on G20 leaders to commit to three key actions:
- Invest in quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) to ensure access for all children, especially the most vulnerable.
- Address the gender gap in early childhood education and care by supporting female educators and caregivers and promoting gender equality in ECEC.
- Improve data collection and monitoring to track progress and ensure accountability for early childhood education and care investments.
Theirworld has created a petition for people to sign in support of the campaign. The petition has already garnered over 47,000 signatures from around the world, including from high-profile individuals such as former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Malala Yousafzai, and British actress Emma Thompson. Children in Crossfire fully support this campaign and we have signed the petition because we believe that the early years present a unique window of opportunity to alter the lives of children and their families.
So why should you sign the petition before the G20 meeting?
The G20 is a group of the world’s largest economies, representing 80% of the world’s GDP and two-thirds of its population. The decisions made by the G20 leaders can have a significant impact on global policies and funding for early childhood education and care. By signing the petition, you can add your voice to the call for investment in early childhood education and care, urging G20 leaders to prioritise this critical area.
By signing the petition leading up to the G20 meeting, which will be held in New Dehli in September 2023, you can help raise awareness about the importance of early childhood education and care. Many people may not realise the long-term benefits of investing in the early years, and by sharing the petition with your friends and family, you can help spread the word and encourage others to join the movement.
SIGN THE PETITION HERE
