Beyond Survival: The Case for Investing in Young Children Globally.

This paper calls on the United States government to lead and mobilize around a sensible and strategic global agenda for young children. It begins by explaining investing in young children globally is a primary means of achieving sustainable human, social, and economic development, all of which are vital to ensuring international peace and security. Information is then provided on: child fatalities; the success of evidence-based, results-oriented, coordinated, and effectively monitored international development assistance; U.S. funding of maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) initiatives around the world; the significance of early experiences on lifelong health and development and the findings of the From Neurons to Neighborhoods project; key components of coordinated, multifaceted, and evidence-based action that can help ensure that children in adversity benefit fully from policies and services and achieve better outcomes over the long run; strategies for preventing mortality in preschool children; and the importance of nutrition and early childhood care and education for child health and well-being. The impact of child abuse and neglect on child development is discussed, as well as services for supporting caregivers, developing family safety nets, and protecting the future through strategic investments. Numerous references.