ECDVU Community 

There are several groups that are critical to the success of each ECDVU initiative, including: learners, faculty, advisors and funders. Although the groups are listed separately, their participation and involvement is overlapping. As the ECDVU evolves, other groups and individuals will be asked to become partners in this unique undertaking.

SSA-1	SSA-2
African Learners	African Learners
Faculty	Faculty
Core Staff	Core Staff
Advisors	Advisors
Funders	Funders

African Learners SSA-1

The first cohort of Africa-ECDVU learners consisted of a cadre of 27 committed ECD professionals from across Sub-Saharan Africa ( Eritrea, The Gambia, Ghana, Lesotho, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia). Inclusion in ECDVU was not based solely on a self-identification application process typical of graduate level educational programs. Instead, in most cases, the names of ECDVU candidates emerged from an in-country process that brought together an inter-sectoral ECD country committee to identify significant early childhood goals for the country in the years ahead. In light of these goals, the committee members then selected, from among interested applicants, the most suitable ECD leaders and forwarded their applications as their "national candidates" for participation in the ECDVU.

Why was the ECDVU selection process structured in this way? Even though individual aptitude and sustained commitment are critical factors in candidates' success, the ECDVU is not primarily about individual learning and development. It is primarily concerned with advancing ECD within each participating country, and across sub-Saharan Africa, through a "flow-through" of information and involvement in the candidate's learning by the larger ECD "community" within his or her country. For more detailed information about each country, including the country team objectives, short biographies and pictures of the participants, and country reports prepared by the ECDVU learners as part of their first course requirements, click on the country of interest below.

The first SSA cohort completed the program in August, 2004; graduation was formally acknowledged at the University of Victoria Convocation ceremony on November 10, 2004. A recent evaluation by the World bank was very positive and lists a large number of positive outcomes and activities (click here to review the World Bank Impact Evaluation). The ECDVU graduates remain fully engaged as leaders of ECD capacity-building initiatives supporting child, family and community well-being and broader social and economic development.

African Learners SSA-2

Faculty

ECDVU participants work with a number of highly respected ECD faculty. Distributed globally, and representing diverse sectors of the ECD world, these eminent individuals engage in face-to-face and distance learning with each participant. In turn, with the support of their Sub-Saharan African cohort colleagues and the ECDVU faculty, each participant is required to facilitate the sharing of new ideas and skills through interacting with his/her country-based ECD network.

Course Instructors SSA-1:

Regional Seminar Faculty SSA-1

Course Instructors SSA-2:

Regional Seminar Faculty SSA-2

Core ECDVU Staff for SSA-1

Core ECDVU Staff for SSA-2

African-Based ECD Advisors SSA-1

Preparation for the SSA-1 delivery included consultation and discussions with a broad rane of African ECD leaders in the years before and during the program. As with the International Advisors, most of these individuals have lengthy experience in ECD in developing countries and substantial teaching/training experience. In general, members of the International and the African ECD Advisors form the body from which ECDVU course instructors, seminar presenters and M.A. supervisory committee members were drawn.

African-Based ECD Advisors SSA-2

Funders

The ECDVU gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the following organizations:

Funders SSA-1

World Bank
Norwegian Educational Trust Fund
UNICEF
UNESCO
CIDA
Bernard van Leer Foundation
Consultative Group on ECCD
BC HELP Project
Local Employers of ECDVU Participants

Funders SSA-2

Dutch Government
World Bank
UNICEF
UNESCO
Bernard van Leer Foundation
Local Employers of ECDVU Participants

 

Home | About SSA | SSA Publications | SSA Communities | SSA Learners| ECDVU | MENA

Top