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Scientific evidence supporting the well-being of children and families as an agent of change for peace

Science says "Peace is possible"

Young children and their families are progressively being exposed to greater violence in homes, schools and communities, and among nations. In our search for solutions we turn to science that shows that peace (social cohesion) is possible. Evidence from the field of early childhood development (ECD) clearly demonstrates that lasting and intergenerational change can occur through interventions early in life. To change the tide of violence and promote peaceful societies, the developmental needs of young children must be the primary focus.

Child and adult hands holding new plant with soil

About US

We are a multi-disciplinary team of researchers at Yale University, who with UNICEF, AÇEV Foundation, the John E. Fetzer Institute and other global partners, have embarked upon a joint project to achieve the common objective of analyzing the linkages between early childhood development (ECD) and peace building through scientific research. We aim to translate and disseminate this knowledge to support better policies on global platforms in order to help prevent violence and build new generations of reconciliation. We invite you to explore this site and join this global movement.

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Video Gallery

Pathways to Peace: The Transformative Power of Children and Families (Prof. James Leckman)

31 May 2017 | Prof. James Leckman, Yale University, sets out the science underpinning the links between early childhood development and the promotion of sustainable development and peace building. Queen's University Belfast, N. Ireland.

Early Childhood Development and Peace Building (Dr Rima Salah)

31 May 2017 | Dr Rima Salah, Chair of the Early Childhood Peace Consortium, provides an overview of the international political and policy context for early childhood development and its role in promoting sustainable development, social cohesion and peace building. Queen's University Belfast, N. Ireland.

Webinar | Primary Prevention in Child Psychiatry—The Transformative Power of Children and Families

Pub. 10 May 2016 | Webinar hosted by the Brain & Behavior Research FDN, featuring Dr. James Leckman, Yale University

Dr. Rima Salah | Universal Peace Fed. World Summit 2015

Sept. 2015 | Yale faculty, Rima Salah, PhD, speaks to global audience at the UFP World Summit on behalf of the United Nations High-level Panel on Peace Operations of which she is an appointed member. She presents key findings from Panel's comprehensive review of the U.N. Peace Operations.

The MacMillan Report with Guest, Catherine Panter-Brick

November 18, 2015 / Marilyn Wilkes of the MacMillan Report talks with Dr. Catherine Panter-Brick, professor of anthropology, health, and global affairs at the Jackson Institute at Yale University, about her new book, “Medical Humanitarianism: Ethnographies of Practice” co-edited by Jackson faculty member Sharon Abramowitz.

Published on Feb 3, 2016

Rima Salah, PhD, assistant clinical professor at the Yale Child Study Center and former Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, talks with host, Marilyn Wilkes, about the pioneering book, "Pathways to Peace: The Transformative Power of Children and Families" that she co-edited with Yale Profs. James Leckman and Catherine Panter-Brick.

Refugee Crisis: Call to Action, "Yale's Role in the Global Child Refugee Crisis"

5 Oct 2015 / Unni Karunakara, Former Int'l President of Doctor's Without Borders (MFA) joins an expert panel of some of the world’s largest development/relief agencies convened to inform an action plan to mobilize the Yale community around the global child refugee crisis.

MacMillan Report / Catherine Panter-Brick: The Role Fathers Play in Parenting

Marilyn Wilkes talks with Yale Professor Panter-Brick about research she’s done on the role fathers play in parenting.

Setting the Stage for a More Peaceful World through Early Childhood Development

25 Aug 2015 | Yale professor, James F. Leckman, MD, PhD, hosts a discussion w intl. notables, Shafiq Masalha, MD (Israel) & Prof. Ernesto Caffo (Italy) to address the transformative power of early childhood development and how it can set the stage for a more peaceful world.

James F. Leckman, MD: The Transformative Power of Responsive Parenting

_{Amman, Jordan / 4 Dec 2014 / James F. Leckman, MD, PhD; Yale Child Study Center / Presentation for the Founding Forum of the Arab Network for Early Childhood}

Children and Conflict: Leveraging Research to Inform Policy | Guest Prof. Theresa Betancourt

Dr. Theresa Betancourt, Associate Professor of Child Health and Human Rights, Harvard University, joins host Yale student, Frank Boudon. Dr. Betancourt discusses how she became involved in research on children and conflict, expounds upon the successes and challenges of her work, and offers insights about the policy and research goals we should prioritize in the future.