Getting to Know Your International Contacts - Part 2

              Since I have not yet received response from an international contact, I researched Global Children’s Initiative (GCI), launched by Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child. One essential commitment of the center is to work collaboratively across disciplines and institutions, drawing together the best and most creative expertise available to achieve the Initiative’s goals. Three main goals of the center are 1) early childhood development; 2) child mental health; and 3) children in crisis and conflict situations.

GCI has developed several strategic plans to create an atmosphere of equity and excellence for all children around the world, particularly by supporting innovative, multi-disciplinary research and demonstration projects. They purposefully tend to expand global understanding of how healthy development happens, how it can be derailed, and how to get it back on track.

In collaboration with local experts, the program aims to use the science of child health and development to guide stronger policies and larger investments to benefit young children and their families in Brazil. This is very meaningful to me, by nature I am a fixer. I work hard to put back together, what is broken; strengthen areas of weaknesses, and when things go wrong-do my level best to make it right.

 Though, I have not yet experienced missions in other countries; I am inspired to look on every individual as a beautiful and unique creation, complete with needs and desires that are specific to his/her own life. For the children and families I serve, my professional goal is to offer them a sense of belonging, worth, and competence. I will begin-right where I am and start by brightening the community in which I live with genuine concern for the well-being of children, their families, and all who I work with to get the job done.

 

Reference

 

Center of the Developing Child. (2013). Global Children’s Initiative. The President and Fellows of Harvard College. Retrieved from http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiative