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Thank you for joining us today to celebrate the launch of the Canadian Council for Learning’s Early Childhood Knowledge Centre, one of five knowledge centres that CCL is creating across Canada. In the last few weeks, CCL has launched the knowledge centres on adult learning, aboriginal learning and work and learning. The other knowledge centre focussing on aboriginal learning will be announced shortly
CCL was created following extensive nation-wide consultations that identified the importance of lifelong learning in today’s knowledge-based society and economy. Leaders from all walks of Canadian life —education, business, labour, government, aboriginal organizations and non-governmental organizations of many kinds — agreed that Canada must move beyond rhetoric about lifelong and life-broad learning. They called for better links among the various parts of our learning systems — a Canada-wide roadmap for learning throughout an individual’s lifespan, starting with early childhood learning.
People also wanted to know what educational models and practices work well, and which do not — in Canada and abroad — so that they could make informed choices about learning. That is why the task which drives us on at CCL is that of making a real difference to the learning lives of Canadians.
But learning is not just about innovation and productivity; learning plays a key role in personal development, social participation and social cohesion.
CCL will examine learning issues from a wide range of perspectives. Our approach is based on a model of collaboration. CCL will partner with all levels of government, learning institutions, non-governmental organisations and learners to enhance existing networks, skills and organizations.
We are also a proudly nation-wide organization. We will link residents of this country across regions, languages, cultures and generations in relation to one of the central dimensions of our collective value system: education. Our interest in Canada-wide perspectives comes from our belief that the learning progress of some depends largely on the progress of all: this country needs a nation-wide learning framework in order for its regions, provinces and territories to succeed.
Certainly, as we speak of the importance of lifelong learning, early childhood learning is the obvious place to start. And I certainly don’t need to convince the people in this room that a sound foundation in childhood is the key to the success of the individual, of the economy and of our society. Most of you have dedicated your careers to examining ways to help all children reach their full potential.
After all, it is in childhood that the capacity to learn is at its height. Thus, the quality of care that young children receive and the efforts made to stimulate a passion for learning during these years have a significant impact on their development throughout their lives. Multiple factors are at play – physical factors, such as ensuring proper nourishment and safety, social factors such as learning to interact with others, and psychological factors such as providing a supportive and encouraging environment. Economic factors are also at play – how can we help financially-disadvantaged children to enjoy equal opportunities?
The Canadian Council on Learning examines the learning experience from a broad context, following the four pillars identified by Jacques Delors, who headed UNESCO’s International Commission on Education for the Twenty-first Century – learning to be, learning to do, learning to know and learning to live together. This is the approach that we will apply to early childhood learning.
Clearly there is no shortage of issues to address; the challenge will be to identify and focus on a few key issues that will lead to better learning opportunities and outcomes for our children.
Today is the exhilarating day when we can say that we at last have the means at our disposal actually to do something about all that – and to do it in ways which will bring us all into close and fruitful working relationships.
I believe that the consortium that will lead the Early Childhood Learning Knowledge Centre is well situated to address those challenges.
I am delighted by the high calibre and dedication of the consortium members that have come together under the leadership of Richard Tremblay. Mr. Tremblay and his colleagues have worked tirelessly in building the consortium, in selling the promise of the knowledge centre, and in generating excitement, enthusiasm and support for its mandate.
With approximately 50 members who represent every facet of early childhood learning, from practitioners to educators to researchers focussing on health, the Centre of Excellence on Early Childhood Development has put together a powerful force that can be the much-needed catalyst to promote policies and practices that will allow every child to achieve his or her potential.
To create this Knowledge Centre, CCL initiated a process that called for the formation of a consortium of interested partners. Quebec was the obvious choice of the location of this centre, for it is home to many world-renowned experts in the field of early childhood learning. However, the centre will serve as a nation-wide resource, linking key players across the country and not just in Quebec.
And what an engaged, talented and diverse group you are, who have assembled to celebrate this moment with us. It is you and your colleagues from across the land who will provide the nation-wide leadership required to make the CCL’s Early Childhood Learning Knowledge Centre the indisputable nation-wide network of reference that is so badly needed, and I am confident that your work will have a profound impact on social policy and practice in this country.
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