CIESPI is completing four years of study in the international project “Participative and Inclusive Early Childhood” and is taking its findings to key decision-making bodies. We report here two meetings with the Municipal Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents in Rio de Janeiro, a body established for all municipalities and states by federal law with the task of setting children’s policies and certain children’s budgets in their jurisdictions.
The project, coordinated by professor Kay Tisdall of the Moray House School of Education at the University of Edinburgh (Scotland) involved children’s research organizations from Brazil, Eswatini, South Africa and Palestine. The Brazil research was coordinated by professor Irene Rizzini, professor at PUC-Rio University and CIESPI’s Director. Through data and legal analysis and interviews with children, parents, teachers, and community leaders in the Rio community of Rocinha, CIESPI conducted action research on how to improve the context of early childhood education and expand opportunities for the development of young children in low-income communities, often affected d by violence.
On December 4th 2023 CIESPI researcher Carolina Terra met with the directors of the Rio Council and representatives of various children’s organizations to outline the main findings of the research including the community’s priorities for early childhood.
On December 11, CIESPI early childhood consultant Cristina Porto presented the research to the General Assembly of the Council.
This is a crucial time to be engaging with the Council since it is currently engaged in a revision of its mandated Municipal Plan for Children first passed in 2013 with major support from CIESPI.
CIESPI at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro has dedicated many years to the theme of early childhood developing studies and social actions on and for children living in contexts of high vulnerability. This work has involved children growing up in low-income communities, favelas and young mothers living on the streets. The Center also invests time in political initiatives especially in partnerships with the National Coalition on Early Childhood so engaging in dialogue with about 270 organizations throughout the country.