A research forum to increase an understanding of ECDiE at scale - emergent lessons learned

• In Event: Part 2: A systems approach to equity at scale in early childhood development in emergencies: challenges, opportunities, and new directions

Proposal

This paper will highlight vision and approach to strengthening ECD research approaches in humanitarian settings.
The paper will highlight emergent lessons learned from a research forum which aims to increase the understanding of the impact of emergencies on the developing children, highlight promising solutions, network researchers around the world and encourage innovative research methodologies that respond more directly to the needs of those most impacted.
This paper will provide an overview of the research forum’s recent activities, highlighting promising trends in research on young children and emergencies; current issues facing the research community; and new directions.
Promising trends include:
A focus on dual-generation approach, targeting both children and their parents and caregivers, reflected in both interventions and research (see framework);
A call for more interventions and research on mental health and psychosocial well-being reflecting the reality of the adversity experienced humanitarian contexts;
The development of new tools to measure child outcomes, the quality program implementation and environments for young children;
An increasing use of technology in interventions and research, including mobile phone delivered programming; and
Prioritizing the voices of parents, caregivers, and local community members as a core part of the research methodology.

Lastly, the panelists will highlight how the Research Forum considers themes presented by the other three panelists and related implications for the future.

Author

• Joan Lombardi, Stanford and Georgetown