1. Apropos the recent discussion on futurework about the
design of the workplace, try substituting "the workplace
environment" for "early childhood" in the following
statement. Discuss (for 40 points).
" Recent progress toward improving outcomes for children
First, there has been a rediscovery, in the policy world, of
the role of early childhood as a lifelong determinant of
health, well-being and competence. This has occurred because
issues of early childhood development began to be expressed
in a credible vocabulary for modern society -- the
vocabulary of science. Recent insights from neurobiology,
developmental psychology and longitudinal studies ... give
credibility to notions long held as common sense." (Clyde
Hertzman, "The Case for an Early Childhood Development
Strategy," Isuma, Vol 1. No 2, p. 16.)
2. On another note but still with respect to the above
quotation, what is wrong with a "policy world" that cannot
hear the cry of a child until it is expressed in the
language of science? When did science become the gatekeeper
of policy rather than merely one viewpoint among a number
with respect to policy-making? Have we installed a discourse
of the deliberately selectively deaf between ourselves as
citizens and our elected representatives? How might we have
got ourselves into such a situation? Discuss (for 40
points).
20 points will be given for list participation
--
Let's hear it for improved workplace environments, but speak
in the language of science or "the policy world," on its
current form, will choose to play deaf.
As a longtime and now sometimes participant in the policy
world I found the above quotation made me want to convene a
conference. Has it really come to this? Have we so
thoroughly abdicated our responsibility to develop good
policy advice that, in a human world of many languages, we
will only listen to those who speak science?)
Gail Stewart
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
