Position Paper: Investing in childhood development research and innovation

Childhood development deserves a more prominent place in Horizon 2020 calls. In a position paper supported by CID Principal Investigators, Program Chair Chantal Kemner argues that we need to recognize that our children deserve every chance to develop and thrive and become constructive, engaged citizens, contributing to society.  

Most children develop well and find their way in society without major problems, but too many do not. A combination of children’s disposition and the environment in which they are raised underlies these developmental differences. When childhood development is not optimal due to, for example, prenatal threats, illness or abuse, huge consequences in adult life result, negatively contributing to many of the societal challenges Horizon 2020 wishes to address.

It is therefore striking that childhood development does not have a much more prominent place in the Horizon 2020 Work Programme. The CID position paper wishes to argue that we need to recognize that our children deserve every chance to develop and thrive and become constructive, engaged citizens, contributing to society. By gaining insight into children’s development and by creating evidence-based responses to risks and threats, we may truly contribute to providing a healthy, inclusive, and secure society for current and future generations. Only by integrating science and policy regarding children’s wellbeing will we achieve impact.

Download the position paper and spread the word!