Yesterday in New York during UNGA, early childhood development and business leaders came together to explore the powerful returns on investment that parenting programs provide and how businesses can play a crucial role in supporting parents and caregivers.
Business insights were shared by leaders such as Diana Ringe Krogh from the LEGO Group Group, who emphasized family-friendly policies such as global parental leave, and Emma Franklin from Deloitte, who encouraged companies to start conversations about how best to support employees who are parents and caregivers. Sarah Hesz from The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood stressed that investing in parents is a down payment for our collective future.
The conversation also featured valuable insights from parents, researchers, and advocates. Bhavreen Kandhari of Warrior Moms shared creative ways to engage children in outdoor activities during cooking hours to protect them from harmful indoor fuels. Hirokazu Yoshikawa from New York University presented national-scale evidence on parenting interventions, while Chastity Lord, President & CEO of Jeremiah Program, highlighted the critical need for coordinated support systems for single mothers and their children.
Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, a minister of the Women Affairs Secretariat for Nigeria, shared a touching letter from a child, reflecting hopes and dreams. Panelists covered essential topics such as evidence on parenting interventions, social protection, and direct family support.
Organized by the Global Initiative to Support Parents (GISP), we extend our deepest thanks to all the speakers and participants for their valuable contributions:
Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Women Affairs Secretariat, Nigeria
Bhavreen Kandhari, WARRIOR MOMS
Chastity Lord, Jeremiah Program
Diana Ringe Krogh, the LEGO Group
Dominic Richardson, Learning for Well-being Foundation
Elizabeth Lule, ECDAN
Emma Franklin, Deloitte
Hirokazu Yoshikawa, New York University
Lucie Cluver, University of Oxford
Sabine Rakotomalala, World Health Organization
Sarah Hesz, The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood
Shekufeh Z., Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN)
GISP is coordinated by ECDAN, International Rescue Committee, Parenting for Lifelong Health, World Health Organization, and UNICEF.
#UNGA #ParentingSupport #InvestInParents #FamilyFriendlyWorkplaces #ECDFinance