Early Childhood Development Intercultural Partnership

ECDIP is an ongoing program of community-engaged research and education about the wellness and quality of life of children and families. The program informs policies, contributes new knowledge, and strengthens practice addressing conditions affecting the health, development and success of children in Canada and around the world. The program focuses mainly on those who have been marginalized or abandoned by policies and mainstream institutions, including Indigenous children and families, and families in less developed countries.

Projects within ECDIP strengthen the capacity of families, communities and governments to innovate social, education and health policies and programs that promote equity and social justice. The projects build on diverse cultures, support retention of endangered languages and knowledge systems, and promote social inclusion.

The ECDIP team acknowledges Indigenous people who, since time immemorial, stewarded the lands on which our work in Canada takes place. For those of us at the University of Victoria, we are grateful to the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

This acknowledgement does not erase the ongoing legacy of colonization in Canada, the need to resolve disputes over unceded territories such as most of the land in the province of British Columbia, Canada, nor the need for ongoing inquiry about our collective responsibility for reparative action.