ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Ely Harasawa, National Secretary for Early Childhood Attention and former Program Manager at the Maria Cecília Souto Vidigal Foundation, hugs Executive Leadership Program participant

HARVARD INTER-CENTER PARTNERSHIP

DRCLAS’s initiative on early childhood development in Brazil was born and raised in partnership with the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University (HCDC). HCDC’s thought leadership and collaborative spirit have created the favorable conditions that enabled DRCLAS to focus on this important topic.

BRAZILIAN INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS

Without the initial and ongoing partnership of Maria Cecília Souto Vidigal Foundation (FMCSV), Harvard’s engagement with early childhood development in Brazil could never have reached a comparible level of impact. FMCSV’s local leadership, extensive expertise, and significant investment of time and resources have ensured the stability and relevance of DRCLAS’s efforts.

Insper and the University of São Paulo Medical School (FMUSP) have provided the academic excellence and infrastructure from which the Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância (NCPI) and several key research, teaching and exchange projects could be built. Instituto PENSI bolstered NCPI’s scientific expertise in its critical second phase and plays a pivitol role in the major Early Institutionalization Impact Intervention (EI-3) project.

The Bernard van Leer Foundation (BvL) and Porticus have strengthened NCPI even further, contributing complementary intellectual, information and financial resources.

FUNDING OF THE INITIATIVE

Funding for Harvard’s ongoing collaboative initiative on early childhood development in Brazil has been generously provided by the Maria Cecília Souto Vidigal Foundation, Lemann Foundation, Haddad Foundation, José Luiz Egydio Setubal Foundation, Bernard van Leer Foundation and Porticus.

FUNDING OF PROJECTS AND EXCHANGE

An array of organizations internal and external to Harvard have provided funding to specific early childhood development research or exchange opportunities. In the annex of this report, we recognize the financial supporters of specific Harvard-Brazil collaborative research projects.

DRCLAS BRAZIL OFFICE

The entire Brazil Office team has contributed to this initiative’s success. In particular, past and current staff members Jason Dyett, Tomás Amorim, Tim Linden, Helena Monteiro and Larissa Leal have played pivotal roles over the last decade.

IN MEMORIUM

Anna Maria Chiesa, Professor of Nursing at the University of São Paulo, passed away in May 2022. A tireless and inspiring champion of early childhood, Anna’s expertise, passion, wisdom and dedication contributed immeasurably to NCPI and to several other facets of the Harvard-Brazil ECD initiative.

1