ICDP WORKSHOP IN DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA

This training was offered as a follow-up from an expert meeting on early child development convened by CYFSD in Durban, in May 2006.  The purpose of the meeting was to examine both available materials for promoting the development of young children, and available platforms in which the materials could be inserted with appropriate networking, advocacy and training.  Key issues highlighted included a commitment to developing a greater recognition of the importance of relationships, in particular the caregiver-child relationship.

ICDP training is practical, in addition to underlying theory it has to be put into practice through active participation in sensitization exercises and direct fieldwork in order to become accredited as an ICDP promoter.  The objective of the training is to prepare to implement the ICDP Program in practice in the community.  This means training groups of local caregivers and promoters working with children either in homes or in institutions, with the quality that is essential for the program’s impact and sustainability. 

The training is split into two parts.  The first part took place in Durban from the 24 – 27 October 2006, funded by the International Child Development Programmes (ICDP) and The Bernard van Leer Foundation (BvLF), with technical and financial support from the Child Youth Family and Social Development Programme (CYFSD).   The course was held in English and professionals from southern African countries were invited to participate. As there were a limited number of places available, priority was given to those who represented organizations working with children at disadvantage and to individuals who were both committed to implementing the program in practice, and in training others. 

The training was conducted by Professor Karsten Hundeide (ICDP, Norway) and Irina Mendes (ICDP, Mozambique), and attended by local and national participants, including paediatricians and representatives from Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

   

             Karsten Hundeide                                              Irina Mendes

The second part of the training will be an additional two day course in March 2007, where the focus will be on follow-up of fieldwork, training of caregivers and community work with certification, of those who have fulfilled the fieldwork and the required exercises.

 

ICDP FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN, NORWAY

There are new developments in the town of Bergen related to a pilot project targeting  parents of special needs children, led by Hilde Tornes and Henning Rye. A group of 15 professionals are in process of being trained as ICDP facilitators.  This new group of facilitators is represented by professionals from  the "PPT" language centre,  the "Statped" pedagogy centre and personnel from health stations. They plan to start working with parents in the early months of the coming year, 2007.

In addition, in the Bergen areas training of pre-school teachers started in November. In Ytrebygdahere training developments are planned to take place after the Christmas holidays.