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The June issue of the Australian Journal of Early Childhood (AJEC) heralds the launch of the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth' Commitment to Young Australians, which was held on 3 May 2007.
The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) is the driver behind this significant initiative. Established in 2002, ARACY is made up of a group of eminent experts and organisations with the principal purpose to advocate for the wellbeing of children and young people. The ARACY founders believed that more-effective solutions to issues could be established through translating research and evidence into practice by building new collaborations and sharing knowledge and expertise. With more than 300 member organisations across Australia in 2007, ARACY uses the latest communication technology to bring practitioners, policy-makers and researchers together to combine their knowledge to build a powerful evidence base to improve the life chances of Australia' future generations.
The seven principles of the Commitment to Young Australians were developed to guide the decision-making and actions of ARACY member organisations and to help them demonstrate their solid commitment to Australia' children and young people. As a member of ARACY, Early Childhood Australia has signed the document, along with more than 20 key organisations such as The Smith Family, the NSW Commission for Children and Young People and the Australian Childhood Foundation. All ARACY members are invited to sign. You can read the Commitment to Young Australians, its purpose, how it was developed and the list of early signatories on the ARACY website at www.aracy.org.au.
Translating research and evidence into practice to benefit children is one of ARACY' objectives. An example of a successful translation of research into action is the Western Australian Resource Unit for Children with Special Needs Inc. (RUCSN) which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The original service delivery model is structured on my research which collected data from parents of young children with disabilities, staff in children' services programs and policy representatives. Findings identified incentives and support systems required to offer inclusive child care for children with special needs. On a personal note, it is very rewarding to mark this milestone as I initially set up and directed RUCSN to translate the research evidence into a practical and effective means to provide support for children with special needs and their parents and carers.
Transferring evidence into action is a complex process in which journals such as AJEC have a role to play. Journal articles can be the genesis of a significant dialogue for learning and change. Articles and conference papers deliver ideas, experiences and analyses. But to have a real impact, they need to engage practitioners at every level in discussion and implementation of change. By being catalysts for the transfer of evidence into action, articles extend their life and value.
As a reader, how do you see your role in creating dialogue with others engaged in the field of early childhood development? If we are aiming to transfer evidence into action, we need to move from dialogue to the implementation of ideas. How does your organisation embrace new ways of working? Does it have an implementation model that empowers all sectors to work collaboratively?
The content of this edition reminds me of a film festival program. There is a wide scope from which to choose. Countries featured are Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Sweden. Settings include urban, rural and remote distance education; early childhood teacher training programs; and research highlighting play, intervention, cooperation between preschool and home, and the position of preschools in relation to schools.
This edition opens in Sweden with Sandberg and Vourinen' article. It describes a collaborative process involving parents, pre-school teachers, university lecturers, local politicians and pre-school children. From the perspective of their own practical experience, focus groups identify new topics for research in pre-school education.
Enjoy this edition' selection of articles. I hope their life will extend beyond this journal by sparking or renewing your motivation to look at new ways of working with others—either in your field or with other sectors—to find better solutions for children. The opening article' title reflects this well: 'he future is created by and within children' Working to enhance children' wellbeing is becoming more complex, but also more crucial and urgent in today' world. This is why the Commitment to Young Australians is such an important initiative.
Jenni Werner
Research Evidence Broker
Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY)
Australian Journal of Early Childhood Volume 32 No 2 June 2007, pp. ii.
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