ICDI - International Child Development Initiatives

ICDI joined the in Malta!

During the two-day conference, participants from all over Europe shared their knowledge of good practices and strengthened their commitment to children’s rights and combating child poverty. The event brought together a diverse group: Representatives of the European Commission and the Maltese Government, grassroots organisations, regional and international networks, and the children of the Eurochild Children’s Council.

Children are important in building resilient societies since they hold the key to shaping the future. As such, children played a central role in this event, presenting their visions and hopes, hosting workshops, and interviewing participants.

Some topics discussed in depth during the workshops included children's rights online, the importance of the mental health of children and workers, and embedding child participation in institutions.

We thank Eurochild and The Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society for hosting this inspiring event.

Great to see children’s and parents’ views about the power of bringing young children and older adults together in . Well done Dr. Anne Fitzpatrick, Together Old and Young - TOY co-founder on sharing important insights about children’s rights and in practice.

Intergenerational learning: When the wisdom of age meets the wonder of childhood An innovative pedagogic move brings the young and old together in a win-win for everyone

Afgelopen weekend stond in het teken van onthullingen door Zembla en platform Investico. Opnieuw zijn er adoptiemisstanden geconstateerd, dit keer in Bulgarije en Hongarije. Kinderen worden hier, door discriminatie, onnodig en tegen de wil van hun ouders gescheiden. Een ingrijpende en onomkeerbare maatregel als interlandelijke adoptie zou dan nooit mogen plaatsvinden. Ook blijkt dat er grote vraagtekens te plaatsen zijn bij de selectie van adoptielanden die Nederland als ‘veilig’ bestempelde. Dit is precies waar ICDI al geruime tijd voor waarschuwt. Hoewel in mei een stop is op nieuwe adopties is afgekondigd, mogen de 500 lopende procedures nog worden afgerond.

Daarnaast kwam demissionair minister Weerwind vorige week op verzoek van de Tweede Kamer met voorstellen om geadopeerden beter te ondersteunen. Deze voorstellen zijn teleurstellend en voorzien niet in de belangrijkste behoeften die leven onder geadopteerden: ondersteuning bij herstel van identiteit en een betere rechtspositie.

Met een brede groep van kinderrechtenorganisaties, deskundigen, wetenschappers en maar liefst 20 belangenorganisaties voelen we de noodzaak onze krachten te bundelen en gezamenlijk onze stem te laten horen, omdat het debat over interlandelijke adoptie een cruciaal kantelpunt heeft bereikt.

Dit statement is een initiatief van ICDI - International Child Development Initiatives, Defence for Children Nederland en CoMensha Coördinatiecentrum Tegen Mensenhandel

Mocht je het statement als ngo of (belangen)organisatie, wetenschapper of deskundige willen ook willen ondertekenen, neem dan contact met ons op.

Breed gedragen oproep tot stop op alle adoptieprocedures en betere steun geadopteerden - ICDI Sinds 21 mei mogen er geen nieuwe interlandelijke adoptieprocedures meer worden gestart. Na een jarenlange strijd van geadopteerden, organisaties en

Kijktip!

Zembla besteed vanavond aandacht aan de interlandelijke adopties die vandaag de dag nog plaatsvinden, o.a. uit Bulgarije. Onderzocht wordt of deze adopties nog wel verantwoord kunnen plaatsvinden.

Ook ICDI droeg bij aan deze aflevering. Programmanager Sarah De Vos (zelf geadopteerd uit Sri Lanka) zal onze visie op interlandelijke adoptie en de grote risico’s die eraan kleven toelichten.

Ook D**g Hee Stephanie Kim van de Stichting ARAN, die zich inzet voor de rechten van geadopteerden, komt aan bod. Daarnaast leverden o.a. Defence for Children Nederland, Bep Van Sloten en Shila de Vries belangrijke bijdragen. Al zitten helaas niet alle opgenomen interviews in de uiteindelijke uitzending, we hadden een vruchtbaar overleg op het kantoor van ICDI (zie foto), waar een concreet initiatief uit is ontstaan (hierover morgen meer).

Veel dank aan Evelien Vehof (een radio-interview met haar over de uitzending staat in de link in de comments) en haar team voor het uitgebreide onderzoek en het mooie resultaat, een belangrijke bijdrage op een cruciaal kantelpunt in het adoptiedebat.

👉 Vanavond: Zembla - Adoptiebedrog, het einde?, om 22:07 bij NPO 2@

Happy ! This year, ICDI is celebrating its ! “Thirty years of play: for all children, everywhere" is the theme that guides this celebration.

To celebrate, ICDI is supporting ten mini-projects focused on climate action, led by children and young people. Read about these projects in our latest news item and join us in celebrating this milestone and supporting these amazing projects throughout 2024!

We'll be highlighting each project throughout the year, so be sure to check back often...

Oh, and by the way, don't forget to play today!

Ten new children-led projects to celebrate ICDI’s 30th anniversary! - ICDI This year, ICDI is celebrating an important milestone – its 30th anniversary! To celebrate this special occasion, ICDI is supporting ten mini-projects

Deadline is approaching! Want to join out team? Apply now!

We're a international knowledge organisation dedicated to ensuring children grow up in safe, nurturing environments. We're hiring a Programme Manager in Leiden. Enjoy flexibility, growth potential, and a positive, inclusive work culture. Passionate about child development and protection? Apply now!

Vacancies - ICDI Working with us We believe in the power of children and young people, supporting their rights and addressing the underlying causes of the problems they

ICDI and Defence for Children Nederland recently had the pleasure of facilitating a training session for Kinderpostzegels on the newly developed Meaningful Youth Participation Toolkit.

Read about the and the here: https://icdi.nl/training-on-new-meaningful-youth-participation-toolkit-by-icdi-and-dci/

Training on New ‘Meaningful Youth Participation Toolkit’ by ICDI and DCI - ICDI ICDI and DCI recently had the pleasure of facilitating a training session for KPZ on the newly developed Meaningful Youth Participation (MYP) Toolkit.

Exciting news! We welcome Hannah and Patrick, our new Research and Learning volunteers in the W2W Project in Kenya. They are now working closely with our local consultant, Barret Kamunzu, to document and enhance the learning process of the W2W project.

Read our latest news item to get to know them better.

Meet Our New Volunteers - 'From Waste to Work Project'! - ICDI In April, we welcomed Patrick and Hannah as Research and Learning (R&L) volunteers to join the Waste to Work (W2W) project team! They are now working

🌟 Join ICDI!
We're a international knowledge organisation dedicated to ensuring children grow up in safe, nurturing environments. We're hiring a Programme Manager in Leiden. Enjoy flexibility, growth potential, and a positive, inclusive work culture.

Passionate about child development and protection? Apply now!

Vacancies - ICDI Working with us We believe in the power of children and young people, supporting their rights and addressing the underlying causes of the problems they

Join us on April 30, from 10:00 – 11:30 CEST, where we’ll explore the power of intergenerational connections! ICDI - International Child Development Initiatives will be facilitating an online learning event to introduce IGL to ECEC practitioners and NGO staff who are new to intergenerational learning. Register using the link below.

⭐️ Event alert ⭐️

🗓️ Tue, Apr 30, 10:00 - 11:30 CET
📍 Online via Zoom

Discover how to incorporate intergenerational learning into your work! Meet Giulia Cortellesi and Margaret Kernan from ICDI - International Child Development Initiatives, international coordinators of TOY for Inclusion. Gain insights from the new Handbook ‘Generations Growing Together’.

Open to all
📩 More info and registration: bit.ly/4cWKrCU

Join us on April 30th for Global Intergenerational Week ! From 10:00 to 11:30 AM CEST, ICDI will be facilitating an online learning event to introduce Intergenerational Learning to ECEC practitioners. Sign up using the link below to reserve your spot and be part of this collective learning event.

TOY webinar for Global Intergenerational Week - ICDI ICDI and TOY are delighted to support the Global Intergenerational Week. On 30 April, 10.00 to 11.30 CEST we are facilitating an online learning event to

TOY for Inclusion promotes the power of playful parenting by setting up Play Hubs, where families can engage in fun, educational activities together. These provide a space for parents and grandparents to learn about playful activities that can support their child's learning and development while also connecting with other families.

Thank you, ISSA - International Step by Step Association, for sharing this video, where you can discover how communities can be empowered to support

Creating inclusive spaces for children & families to play: TOY for Inclusion Play Hubs TOY for Inclusion Play Hubs are non-formal services that organize play-based activities designed to help children develop the necessary skills and knowledge ...

Since celebrating International Women's Day last Friday, we wanted to shed light on the dire situation for women and girls in Gaza.
https://icdi.nl/international-womens-day-2024-women-and-girls-in-gaza/

ICDI stands with millions of organisations and individuals worldwide asking for an immediate and permanent ceasefire as well as the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid to meet the needs of people in Gaza.

International Women’s Day 2024 – Women and girls in Gaza - ICDI Since October 7th, Gazans have faced ongoing bombardment, forced displacement and an increasing risk of famine. Women and girls bear the brunt of these

Join us tomorrow for our next Places to Grow online event where we will explore our latest publication, Compendium of Inspiring Practices which highlights over a dozen Early Childhood Education and Care programmes from , and .

Registration closes today at 17:00 CET: bit.ly/3wxZJ08

Holis Schola Empirica

🛎 Event alert 🛎 Join us for our next Places to Grow online event with ICDI - International Child Development Initiatives and Schola Empirica where we will explore our latest publication, Compendium of Inspiring Practices which highlights over a dozen Early Childhood Education and Care programmes from , and .

📩 Register by March 11th, 17:00 CET: bit.ly/3wxZJ08

Don’t miss the chance to learn about the , and main of this compendium applicable to the broader local and regional context!

On 13th to 16th February 2024, ICDI - International Child Development Initiatives was in Mombasa, Kenya together with our partners VSO and TakaTaka Solutions for the second round of Learning Spaces in the Waste to Work Project.

Read more about the workshop and the field visit, which allowed us to hear two inspiring stories of waste pickers about how the project is changing the way they work. https://icdi.nl/learning-what-works-best-for-vulnerable-youth-in-the-waste-sector/ VSO Nederland

Learning what works best for vulnerable youth in the waste sector - ICDI On 13th to 16th February 2024, ICDI’s Luisa Tesch and Margaret Kernan were in Mombasa, Kenya together with our partners Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO)

Last week, ICDI delivered a half-day Training of Trainers on the newly developed ‘Fostering Resilience in Young People in Times of Adversity’ Toolkit for Kinderpostzegels

Read more about the training and the toolkit here: https://icdi.nl/training-of-trainers-fostering-resilience-in-young-people-in-times-of-adversity-toolkit-by-icdi/

Training of Trainers ‘Fostering Resilience in Young People in Times of Adversity Toolkit’ by ICDI - ICDI Last week, ICDI delivered a half-day Training of Trainers on the newly developed ‘Fostering Resilience in Young People in Times of Adversity’ for

This week, we got together with our partner Nascent RDO Uganda to kick-off the “Foundations for the Future: A strong start for every child from birth to school-age” project. This collaboration aims to bring our innovative community-based approach that supports playful learning and responsive parenting activities, piloted and implemented in Ethiopia to Uganda.

Read more about it here:

Kick-off "Foundations for the Future" project to support young children in Uganda - ICDI This week, ICDI and Nascent (NRDO-U) got together to launch the "Foundations for the Future: A strong start for every child from birth to school-age"

The third instalment of our Series: ‘How Children’s Lives Are Being Affected By Climate Change‘ comes from the southwest coastal region of Bangladesh. This is a very climate sensitive and vulnerable part of the world. A lack of fresh water, water-borne diseases and the regular destruction of homes and schools are recurring problems. This is devastating for the almost 4 million Dalits living in the area.

Swapon Kumar Das, Executive Director of DALIT, in conversation with ICDI’s Margaret Kernan, provides a vivid picture of how climate change is affecting young Dalit children and their families today and how their basic human rights are being violated.

Climate Action: Dalit children struggle to access basic rights in Bangladesh - ICDI The third instalment of our Series: ‘How Children’s Lives Are Being Affected By Climate Change‘ comes from the southwest coastal region of Bangladesh.

On behalf of all of us at ICDI, we wish you a peaceful holiday season 🕊

As begins today, world leaders are under pressure to take action against climate change. It is likely that this will be in the news in the coming days. But what is the best way to talk to children about the climate crisis?

An important part of ICDI’s work is to advise professionals working with children about issues that impact on their lives. In the second article in the ‘How Children’s Lives Are Being Affected By Climate Change Series‘ you can read about why it is important to talk about climate changes with children of all ages and how we might go about having these conversations.

Climate Action: Talking to children about climate change - ICDI As COP28 begins today in Dubai, world leaders are under pressure to take action against climate change. It is likely that this will be in the news in the

On this , we continue to call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Israel to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and further loss of innocent lives. Every child has an undeniable right to protection, good health, adequate nutrition, safety, and security.

The theme for World Children's Day 2023 is 'For Every Child, Every Right!' The day serves as an important reminder of the unyielding commitment to ensuring that all children, regardless of their background or circumstances, are given the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.

Sign the Petition : Open Call for an Immediate Ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Israel

Children and hospitals are not a target! Join us in calling for the protection of children and civilians in Gaza and Israel RIGHT NOW.

https://www.change.org/p/sign-and-share-this-urgent-petition-calling-for-a-ceasefirenow-in-gaza-and-israel?recruiter=1319534707&recruited_by_id=f2078ce0-6dea-11ee-8856-5b15557ca7b6&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_content=cl_sharecopy_37700646_en-GB%3A4

ICDI is excited to present the first article in our series about how children’s lives are being affected by climate change. Dive into the UN's General Comment No. 26 on Children’s Rights and the Environment, offering key insights for NGOs working with and for children. Learn about the powerful voices of children advocating for a cleaner and healthier environment. Read the full article here: https://icdi.nl/climate-action-series-launch-and-march-for-climate-justice/

Climate Action: Series Launch and March for Climate & Justice - ICDI Climate change is undoubtedly one of the main challenges affecting our world. It also has profound affect on children's lives and well-being.

Children deserve a future in which they can thrive, and it is the duty of current generations, including governments, to ensure this. This is why we are marching for the Climate.

Join us on Sunday November 12th! We will gather at 12.30 on Dam Square near the Krasnapolski hotel. The Children’s Block can be recognized by Gerda the (inflatable) Giraffe.

The climate crisis is a children's crisis - ICDI De klimaatcrisis is een kindercrisis Approximately 1 billion children, nearly half of the world's children, live in countries facing extreme climate

It is a collective responsibility to speak out. Silence is not an option. https://icdi.nl/gaza-the-cycle-of-violence-against-innocent-people-needs-to-stop-now/

Gaza: the cycle of violence against innocent people needs to stop. NOW! - ICDI One month has already passed since Hamas terrorist attacks that killed at least 1300 Israelis and the beginning of the latest conflict between Israel and

The Climate Crisis is a Children’s Crisis! Walk with us on 12 November 2023 - March for Climate & Justice.

Would you like to make your voice heard? Join us on Sunday. Children of all ages are particularly welcome! https://icdi.nl/walk-with-us-march-for-climate-justice-12-november-2023/

Walk with us: March for Climate & Justice – 12 November 2023 - ICDI The Climate Crisis is a Children’s Crisis Almost every child on the planet faces risks such as flooding, heat waves, tropical storms, drought, air

Join our team! Are you a Masters’ student passionate about making a difference in Early Childhood Development, child protection, youth participation, gender equity, and social inclusion? We are looking for you!https://icdi.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Intern-Vacancy.pdf

icdi.nl

In September 2023, members from the first Play Hub in Kyiv, Ukraine visited Slovakia for a 3-day learning exchange. They visited the Play and Learning Hubs which are based on the TOY for Inclusion approach, that promotes the integration of refugee children and families. Read more about the visit here: https://icdi.nl/workers-from-the-first-play-hub-in-ukraine-participate-in-a-learning-exchange-in-slovakia/

Workers from the first Play Hub in Ukraine participate in a learning exchange in Slovakia - ICDI The Play Hub staff and Local Action Team (LAT) members from the first Play Hub in Kyiv, Ukraine, participated in a 3-day learning exchange in Slovakia

From Croatia to Nepal, all the way to Kenya! ICDI is in 3 continents at once 🎉

For the past week, ICDI has been in Nairobi for the 'From Waste to Work' project. We had the opportunity to witness firsthand the progress of the project and talking to primary actors in the waste management industry and visiting the field.

ICDI’s role in this project is the Research and Learning Agenda and together with our partners VSO Kenya and TakaTaka Solutions, we conducted our first learning space which allowed us to develop a common vision and plan for improvements and innovations. For more information about this project please go to our website.