Learning For Well-Being Institute

The 2024 International Day of the Girl Child theme conveys both the need for urgent action and persistent hope, driven by the power of girls' voices. 🌍 Today's generation of girls faces enormous challenges: climate change, conflict, poverty, and threats to their fundamental rights. Too many girls are still denied the opportunities they deserve, limiting their potential. But girls are visionaries. Every day, they take bold steps to create a future where all children are protected, respected, and empowered. But they can't do it alone. Girls need allies who listen and take action. Our latest brief with UNICEF highlights that investing in girls' education is key to transforming their futures. Education helps build the confidence and skills to thrive, strengthening families, communities, and economies. When girls lead, the impact is felt everywhere: stronger families, more vibrant communities, and brighter futures for all. 🌟 🔗 Check out the full brief: https://lnkd.in/dFfK2_PA #InternationalDayOfTheGirlChild #GirlsEducation #EducationForAll #ForEveryChild #SocialProtection #ChildWellBeing

On this World Mental Health Day, we must recognize the unmet mental health needs of children and young people across Europe. 🌍 The Statement on Child and Youth Mental Health in Europe highlights key data and recommendations to address these challenges. Poor mental health in childhood leads to long-term impacts on physical health, education, employment, and relationships—creating costly consequences for families and communities. The European Commission’s commitment to mental health is encouraging, but success requires greater awareness, reduced stigma, and ensuring no child is isolated from needed support. We recommend prioritizing proactive, preventative mental health initiatives across Europe. 📄 Read the full statement here: https://lnkd.in/eAkAPwEG This brief was produced in 2023 in collaboration with the Alliance for Childhood - European Network Group, supported by StArt, EMDR Europe Association, and the Learning for Well-being Foundation. Let’s ensure every child gets the mental health support they deserve. #WorldMentalHealthDay #ChildWellbeing #YouthMentalHealth #MentalHealthMatters #WhereEvidencePowersWellBeing

📕 Take a look at our latest publication: "Fit for the Future: How a Rethink of the Human Capital Model is Needed in Africa to Optimise the Return on Social Spending"

Together with UNICEF, we have unveiled new data that underscores a critical imbalance in public spending across Africa. Governments are spending 16 times more on a 15-year-old than on a one-year-old, leaving the youngest, most vulnerable children without the support they need to thrive. 🌍 According to Dominic Richardson, Managing Director of the Learning for Well-being Institute, "Countries need to map and manage the child policy portfolio across the life course, from pregnancy to preschool and beyond. Knowing where the money is going empowers governments to make evidence-informed decisions regarding future spending and the complementarity of multi-sectoral policy efforts for children." It's time for governments to rethink their spending priorities and invest in early childhood to build a strong foundation for future generations. 🚀 🔗https://lnkd.in/e4DZGVjT #EarlyChildhood #Africa #ForEveryChild #WhereEvidencePowersWellBeing

The Learning for Well-being Institute is proud to collaborate with UNICEF on new research revealing significant gaps in social spending for children across Africa. In a compelling interview with CNBC Africa, Sarah Hague, UNICEF's Social Policy Expert for Eastern & Southern Africa, discusses why investing in early childhood is crucial for developing human capital and fostering long-term economic growth. The findings show that African governments allocate 16 times more resources to older children than the youngest, aged 0-5. Sarah highlights how this imbalance needs to be addressed to unlock every child's full potential and drive sustainable development on the continent. We encourage policymakers, stakeholders, and anyone invested in the future of Africa's children to read the Policy Note and join the conversation on how we can reshape social spending to benefit all children from day one. 🔗 Watch the interview: https://shorturl.at/GqGlf 🔗 Read the Policy Note: https://lnkd.in/e4DZGVjT #ForEveryChild #EarlyChildhood #L4WB

Every child deserves the best start in life—through good nutrition, early learning, responsive care, health, and a safe environment. 🌱 These essentials are the building blocks for children to grow, thrive, and lay the foundation for stronger communities and a sustainable future. 🌍✨ Our latest policy brief with UNICEF underscores the urgency of scaling up critical policies to unlock children's full potential. At the launch of the brief, Sidsel Marie Kristensen, CEO of The LEGO Foundation, stated: "80% of brain development happens early. We need to develop children's holistic well-being. Work with governments, the private sector, and partners like UNICEF to raise awareness of these issues." We fully agree—joint efforts are vital to ensuring children's well-being and future success. 🔗 Explore the full report: https://lnkd.in/dFfK2_PA #ForEveryChild #SocialProtection #SDGs #ChildWellBeing #WhereEvidencePowersWellbeing

📢 119 million girls—many of them adolescents—are out of school worldwide. 🌍 As girls reach secondary school age, poverty, gender norms, and societal pressures often push them towards work or early marriage, diverting them from education. Even those who complete school face barriers to transitioning into safe and meaningful employment. 💼 We are inspired by advocates like Tamilore Omojola from the Malala Fund , who are fighting to guarantee access to education for all girls. At the launch of our policy brief, Tamilore powerfully stated: "Girls' education is the foundation of achieving all the SDGs. We still live in a world where girls are denied education because of their gender. The solutions must come from girls because they see themselves as changemakers." Our latest policy brief with UNICEF highlights how investing in girls' education can transform their futures—helping them build the confidence and skills they need to thrive. By protecting their right to education, we create a ripple effect that benefits societies as a whole. 🌟 🔗 Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/dFfK2_PA #ForEveryChild #SocialProtection #SDGs #ChildWellBeing #L4WB #WhereEvidencePowersWellbeing

📢 We celebrate the global launch of the World Social Protection Report 2024-26! Our latest policy brief contributed to the report and advocates investing in cash transfers and care services. This 'cash plus' model addresses immediate poverty while building long-term resilience, empowering families to navigate life's challenges and climate shocks. 🌍 We are proud to be part of this global call to action, closing protection gaps and fostering a just, resilient future for all. Watch the recording of the event and listen to inspiring discussions! 🔍 Explore the Learning for Well-being Institute's brief: https://lnkd.in/ePAnamGs #SocialJustice #UNGA79 #L4WB #WhereEvidencePowersWellbeing

We are grateful to have participated in the "Act for Early Years Symposium," engaging in insightful discussions with so many high-profile speakers and contributors. Our Director, Dominic Richardson, presented on public spending by age, highlighting that younger children receive the lowest share of public spending across most countries. In low-income countries, for example, children under 6 represent around 33% of the population but receive just 6.7% of total public spending on childhood. It's time to change this. Governments must prioritize investing in the #EarlyYears to ensure every child gets the best start in life. 🌍 A special thank you to Theirworld and the event's co-hosts for organizing such an important discussion. #EarlyChildhood #PublicSpending #L4WB #ChildWellbeing #WhereEvidencePowersWellbeing

A productive discussion on parenting at #UNGA, facilitated by Shekufeh Z. Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN) and Sabine Rakotomalala World Health Organization on behalf of GISP partners. This meeting brought together diverse perspectives from civil society, researchers, parent voices, and social protection, alongside a panel on the role of business in parenting support. We were honored to have representatives from Deloitte, the LEGO Group, Doris Duke Foundation, WARRIOR MOMS, NYU Global TIES for Children, University of Oxford, Government of Nigeria, Learning For Well-Being Institute, and Jeremiah Program join the conversation. They also received a copy of the GISP magazine. GISP is coordinated by World Health Organization UNICEF Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN) Parenting for Lifelong Health International Rescue Committee Read the GISP magazine to learn more: ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dTZDhBax