MORE KIDS AT RISK THAN EVER

In 2004 the importance of a positive early childhood is becoming even more apparent as research shows that the new generation of children may be facing more problems than the previous generation.

In Victoria, Australia, the venue for the 2004 World Organisation for Early Childhood Education (OMEP) Congress ‘ One World:Many Childhoods' , general studies suggest that children today are experiencing higher rates of school learning difficulties, behavioural problems, child and sexual abuse, and obesity, than their predecessors.

In child care circles there is growing concern over the level of early childhood experiences in today's world and the pathways to potential dangers in later life.

It is now recognized that the adult social problems existing in Australia and numerous other countries such as suicide, crime, welfare dependency, obesity, and heart disease may have their beginnings in early childhood.

The Moderator of the first forum on child health and social services at the OMEP congress, to be held in Melbourne from 21-24 July 2004, is Melbourne 's Professor Frank Oberklaid, an international expert in child health and early childhood development. He has expressed his concerns publicly over the past year on these issues for children today and will chair this key discussion. Other key contributors in this forum will be Professor Fiona Stanley, Australian of the Year in 2003, Dr.Eddie Mhlanga, of the National Department of Health, South Africa , and Dr.Kathryn Taaffe McLearn, of the National Center for Children in Poverty , USA .

Child care experts in Victoria believe there are fundamental principles for service delivery which have application for all countries keen to improve their standards in 2004. These include having services organized to meet today's needs for children and families rather than relying on a service system structure that worked five years ago.

Services needed to be coordinated at a local community level as the same time as key Government departments – such as health and education – worked together on policy and service delivery for children to integrate the Government's performance. There should be flexibility when required and emphasis placed on outcomes with the best result possible for children rather than focusing on departmental processes.

The Victorian experts believe that effective reforms will carry short term benefits in a three to five year period including increased family cohesion, improved literacy and school readiness, decreased child abuse, and less pre-school language and behaviour problems.

In the longer term of five to twenty years it is expected that effective reforms can lead to reduction in adolescence substance abuse and adolescent and adult mental health problems, increased school retention rates, higher levels of literacy and academic achievement through primary and secondary school, decreased levels of crime and violent behaviour, and less pressure on hospitals, prisons, remedial classes, and mental health professionals.

The National President of OMEP Australia, Sue Harper , said that in a rapidly changing technological world the learning and personal pressures faced by children in 2004 were often remarkably different from pressures which existed even a decade ago.

“It's the ongoing role of progressive governments to examine the changing early childhood environment and make intelligent decisions. At the 2004 OMEP conference in Melbourne we will be examining the specific issues facing the children of today and we all hope to come up with some answers which will benefit child care workers everywhere”, Ms Harper said.

Innovative children's services on display at Melbourne International Early Childhood Conference

Innovative children's services inspections , with an emphasis on multicultural diversity and indigenous culture, as well as the world famous Royal Children's Hospital, are highlights of the Educational program on offer at as part of the One World: Many Childhoods International Conference in Melbourne from 21 -24 July 2004.

Australia has pioneered many forms of children's services to meet the social, cultural, family and health needs of its young children, and both international and interstate delegates will be interested in and learn from visiting these centres and services. The tours will showcase:

• Royal Children's Hospital

World renowned specialist children's hospital, includes ‘school in hospital' program, ‘play therapy' programs for young children, the TV studio and other innovative programs improving health and wellbeing of children whilst in hospital.

• Community playgrounds- indigenous culture and art

Playgrounds for families with children with disability. Also the Mia Mia Aboriginal Gallery.

• All about books

Lady Gowrie Resource Centre's specialised bookshop and library, Dromkeen Children's Literature College - original art work, garden, sculptures and bookshop.

• Bilingual and bicultural early childhood programs and family supports
• Outdoor environments as places for learning

Royal Botanic Gardens early childhood program where colour, textures, smell, shape and pattern senses are stimulated.

• Early Childhood and bilingual and bicultural services

A selection of flexible innovative community based childhood services including long day care, preschool /kindergarten, occasional care, after-care and maternal and child health services, and quality developmental bilingual child care programs.

• Early Learning Centres

Schools which have incorporated early learning centres as part of their overall school environment. Includes Reggio Emilia philosophy of early childhood learning

• Early childhood programs at the Museum
• Koori open door education including kindergarten program
• Maternal and child health – community well being

A Pram Walkers group for mothers and young children in the outer metropolitan suburbs that meets weekly and walks along the local river track.

Congress Organising Committee

• Sue Harper, Chairman – National President
• Carlene Bolden – National Secretary
• Carol Allen – Sponsorship
• Fred Ebbeck – Program
• Anne Holloway - Volunteers
• Dawn Hore – Art Exhibition
• Gilda Howard – Congress Treasurer
• Sue Lancaster – Education Tours
• Fiona Lynch – Marketing
• Marie Peevers - Social
• Joy Williams – Social
• Karen Williams – Sponsorship
  

Congress Venue

The Congress will be held at The Carlton Crest Hotel, Melbourne Australia. The Carlton Crest Hotel overlooks Albert Park Lake, home of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix. The venue is only 4 km or 15 minutes by public transport from Melbourne's Central Business District. It provides easy access to all areas of Melbourne and is only five minutes by car from Port Phillip Bay.


Visit The Carlton Crest Hotel, Melbourne Australia Centre website at www.carltonhotels.com.au

For further information please contact the Congress Secretariat:

The Meeting Planners Pty Ltd
91 - 97 Islington Street
Collingwood, Victoria, Australia, 3066
Telephone: +61 3 9417 0888
Facsimile: +61 3 9417 0899
Email: omep@meetingplanners.com.au