Join us on the 14th of July at 7.30PM AEST for a discussion with the Hon Jay Weatherill on early childhood policy in Australia.
Zoom link for the event us02web.zoom.us/j/89188232122
Overview
There is overwhelming evidence that physical, emotional and cognitive development between birth and eight years occurs at a greater rate than at any other period of human life. Moreover, experts agree that investing in early childhood results in tangible economic benefits. Economic analysis conducted by Nobel Laureate Dr James Heckman and colleagues found that a dollar invested in early childhood (0–6 years) yields three times as much as for school aged children (6–18 years) and eight times as much as for adult education (over 18 years). Among other things, these savings manifest in reduced demand for health services and reduced need for remedial education in schools. These benefits are felt well past the early years, with early childhood investment also reducing rates of substance abuse and unemployment across a lifetime.
Join the NSW Fabians on the 14th of July to hear from Jay Weatherill about how early childhood policy is being developed in Australia by governments and non-profits, what the top progressive policy priorities should be, and the unique opportunities and challenges that Covid-19 has created for this area.
Bio
Mr. Weatherill is currently the CEO of the Minderoo Foundation's Thrive by Five initiative, which aims to ensure all Australian children have the best start to life by investing in and advocating for effective early childhood development outcomes. He also leads the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) 10-year 'Great to Eight' research project. He served as the 45th Premier of South Australia, leading a Labor state government from October 2011 to March 2018.
