NEWS

RIL Brazil was invited to join the 13th cohort of the Executive Leadership Program in Early Childhood Development, held at Harvard by the Science for Early Childhood Center (Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância), with the support of the Bernard van Leer Foundation and the Maria Cecilia Souto Vidigal Foundation.

Our Executive Director in Brazil, Helena Wajnman, represented RIL in this program, which brought together public officials, social leaders, and experts in early childhood development, governance, and caregiving to explore strategies for translating scientific evidence into effective public policies that reach children and cities.

The program addressed some of the key challenges governments face in promoting child development through a comprehensive approach. Topics included the impact of early experiences on brain development, the importance of strengthening executive functions from the earliest years of life, the central role of caregivers, and the need to advance cross-sectoral policies that integrate health, nutrition, protection, learning, and responsive caregiving.

Discussions also focused on how factors such as poverty, the mental health of mothers and caregivers, social inequalities, and the effects of climate change can influence the well-being and development opportunities of young children.

Participation in this program strengthens RIL Brazil’s capacity to bring evidence, international learnings, and management tools closer to local governments, contributing to the design of public policies that support the development of future generations and promote more inclusive and sustainable cities.