Actions Recently Taken by
ACEI To Benefit Children
Childhood Education Volume 84, No 4, P. 222 C
ACEI continues to be actively involved in various projects for the benefit of children, both nationally and internationally, and we have some exciting news to share. One of our members, Rolf Grafwallner, represented ACEI at a seminar on early childhood education titled "Welcome to Preschool-The First Step in Education," at the House of Sweden in Washington, D.C., October 22, 2007. The seminar addressed the critical role that education plays in early childhood development. Representatives from the Swedish Ministry of Education and Research presented the Swedish model for early childhood education and care. The Ministry of Education and Research, the National Agency for School Improvement, the Embassy of Sweden, and Georgetown Children's House Endowment all collaborated to plan this event. ACEI appreciates the opportunity to engage with other organizations to promote the best in early and middle childhood education.
ACEI supported an increase in funding for Child Care and Head Start in fiscal year 2008. The National Women's Law Center (NWLC), in Washington, D.C., spearheaded a letter-writing campaign that resulted in President Bush signing into law the "Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007" on December 12, 2007. ACEI participated in the passage of this important legislation by endorsing the letter. ACEI strives to improve educational opportunities for children, and the Head Start reauthorization bill does just that. It increases resources for Early Head Start, the nationwide program for infants and toddlers, and allows Head Start to serve more families that are just above the poverty line.
In addition, ACEI endorsed the NGO Committee on UNICEF Statement for the World Fit for Children + 5 (WFFC) on December 6, 2007. Nancy Brown and Judit Szente, our ACEI representatives to the United Nations, attended the WFFC + 5 plenary meetings, held December 11 and 12, 2007. Nancy and Judit are committed to their work on behalf of children throughout the world, and they both contributed important ideas and language to the finalized document. Look for their "Advocacy in Action: Perspectives From the UN" columns in the ACEI Exchange, where you can learn more about their outstanding contributions for children. You can see the official statement on the World Fit for Children + 5 at www.ngocomunicef.org/WorldFitforChildren5.htm; click on NGO Committee on UNICEF Statement. Let's continue the great work!