2013-2014

News Release

REF NO.: 42

SUBJECT: Public lecture at Memorial University explores possibility of early childhood education in Newfoundland and Labrador

DATE: October 31, 2013

An upcoming public event at Memorial University will explore the benefits and challenges of initiating more widespread early childhood education programs.
The event will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 5, in the D.F. Cook Recital Hall at the School of Music on the St. John’s campus at 7:30 p.m. The event will also be webcast live from the Harris Centre’s website, www.mun.ca/harriscentre.
The lecture, Successful Kids, Successful Country: Why Strong Public Policy Needs to Include Early Childhood Education, with Margaret Norrie McCain, is part of Canada’s Public Policy Forum’s 2013 National Lecture Series. As former lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick and current chair of the Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation, Ms. McCain has a long history of working with governments across Canada to support the initiation of early childhood care and education reforms. In her lecture, she will discuss why investing in quality pre-school education is crucial for Canada's long-term economic and social health. The lecture will include a conversation with the audience.
The public event is being held the day before a workshop that will bring together early childhood education stakeholders in the province to discuss the state of early childhood care and education in Newfoundland and Labrador. The workshop is part of a larger initiative to foster discussion about the benefits and challenges of early childhood education being led by the Newfoundland and Labrador-based Jimmy Pratt Foundation, in partnership with the Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation, and Memorial’s Harris Centre.
“Children who consistently attend quality early learning programs are shown to have improved self-confidence and self-esteem, better health, creativity and social skills,” said Dr. David Philpot, professor with Memorial’s Faculty of Education and Jimmy Pratt Foundation board member. “It also has a significant impact on families and communities – it allows more parents to return to the workforce and alleviates worker shortages. The increased tax revenue for government more than pays for the increased expense.”
For more information about the lecture on Nov. 5, please visit www.mun.ca/harriscentre. If you’re interested in attending the full-day workshop on Nov. 6, please contact info@jimmyprattfoundation.org.
 
About Canada’s Public Policy Forum:
Based in Ottawa, Canada’s Public Policy Forum is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of government in Canada through enhanced dialogue among the public, private and voluntary sectors. Since 1987, the Public Policy Forum has recognized inspirational leaders who have helped advance public policy and good governance in Canada. Each year, the forum honours public servants, business leaders, elected representatives and journalists at our Testimonial Dinner and Awards, Western Dinner, Atlantic Dinner and Awards and Gordon Osbaldeston Lecture. The 2013-14 lecture series builds on this tradition, bringing prominent speakers to campuses across Canada for lively conversations about challenging policy topics.
 
The forum thanks the partners for this event: Cisco Canada, Memorial University and The Telegram.
 
About the Jimmy Pratt Foundation:
The Jimmy Pratt Foundation, a private family foundation, was established in 2010 to contribute toward projects and programs that support a healthy, inclusive and resilient society while helping youth at risk. In keeping with the foundation's mission, it encourages the advancement of the health, education and security of children from birth to 18 years of age, and their families.
 

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