“Modern charity has largely failed to produce real, lasting change.” In Alliance Magazine, I explored how the framework of charity has failed to achieve lasting, systemic change or a shift towards equality despite the good intentions of funders and the billions of dollars that have been spent. I explore how solidarity offers a different framework, … Continue reading
Tagged with policy and practice …
Rethinking impact, change, professionalism, and organizational effectiveness (panel at New Frontiers conference)
I was so pleased to join the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in July to speak at their conference on the New Frontiers in Funding, Philanthropy and Investment. In this panel, and indeed throughout the conference, we discussed the ways in which traditional philanthropy has perpetuated White supremacy, neocolonialism, Global North imperialism, racism, and inequitable systems that … Continue reading
Community-driven system change, a catalyst for sustainable development – a conversation with Philanthropy Circuit
I recently joined Philanthropy Circuit and Mr. Jones Mwalwanda, Executive Director of Foundation for Community, Livelihood and Development (FOCOLD), to discuss key insights highlighted in the Firelight Foundation Report – Community-Driven System Change. Continue reading
Reflections on the 2016 US Elections (including some thoughts on parenting in this context)
Note 1: As some of you may know, I am a Canadian Muslim, of Pakistani heritage, living with my family in California, USA at this time. Note 2: While this post is not explicitly about early childhood development, which is the general focus of my blog, there are very real implications for those who are parenting … Continue reading
Noteworthy ECD resources (v4): Prenatal learning and brain development
[This post is part of my Noteworthy Early Childhood Development (ECD) Resources series, which rounds up and highlights key resources on particular topics.] Early childhood development is often defined as the period from birth to eight years of age (some define it as birth to six years of age). However, prenatal development – the development that … Continue reading
Noteworthy ECD resources (v3): Building resilience
[This post is part of my Noteworthy Early Childhood Development (ECD) Resources series, which rounds up and highlights key resources on particular topics.] Resilience – the capacity to adapt to and cope with change and stress – is fundamental to well-being. Building resilience in early childhood lays the foundation for long-term academic and social success. In … Continue reading
Noteworthy ECD resources (v2): Research and data
[This post is part of my Noteworthy Early Childhood Development (ECD) Resources series, which rounds up and highlights key resources on particular topics.] Research and data are important matters in the field of early childhood – enabling us to better understand contexts and perspectives, develop better-informed approaches and programmes, and assess impact and outcomes. In today’s edition, … Continue reading
Noteworthy ECD resources (v1): International resources
[This post is part of my Noteworthy Early Childhood Development (ECD) Resources series, which rounds up and highlights key resources on particular topics.] In today’s edition, I’d like to share with you four important international resources in early childhood development that I have come across in the last few weeks: a digital children’s library, two books, … Continue reading
Social work: What does it mean to me?
I completed my Masters in Social Work (MSW) degree at the University of Toronto almost eight years ago. Although since then I have had a range of academic, professional, and personal experiences that have affected me, I want to share a bit today about the influences of my training and background in social work on my … Continue reading
Effects of an early childhood intervention on classroom quality and child outcomes in Pakistan
Earlier I posted about the ‘Investing in Mothers and Children’ international symposium held about ten days ago to mark the official launch of the inter-disciplinary Fraser Mustard Institute for Human Development at the University of Toronto. I was fortunate to be able to present some of my research work from Pakistan at the poster session held at … Continue reading