From early child development to human development: Investing in our children's future

Excerpt from foreword: In April 2000, the World Bank hosted a global conference which addressed the benefits and challenges of investing in early child development (ECD). This landmark conference brought together the world's leading experts, academicians, practitioners, and policymakers to focus on various aspects of ECD. They represented nongovernmental organizations and other private-sector groups, government agencies, and multilateral and bilateral organizations. This volume contains the proceedings of the conference. With its publication, the World Bank hopes to encourage countries to adopt policies that target early child development, especially for children and families living in poverty, and to spark other groups and organizations to invest in ECD programs.