Why are the first 1,000 days important?

The first 1,000 days, from conception to a child’s second birthday, have a significant impact on a child’s development and wellbeing. In the early days, a baby’s genes interact with the environment to determine what kind of brain is needed for the rest of their life. Join this webinar to learn about the science, interventions and implications for public policy.

Webinar description

This Productivity Commission Koi Tū webinar is part of the A fair chance for all inquiry.

Sir Peter Gluckman, director of Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures, and Koi Tū Associates Prof Richie Poulton, Prof Mark Hansen and Dr Robyn Mildon will share the latest scientific evidence, why it’s economically sensible to develop robust policies that recognise the importance of helping all children develop optimal executive functions, and how it can be done.

Executive functions are the set of brain processes that enable us to achieve basic tasks such as learning, solving problems, controlling impulses, and interacting harmoniously with others.

There will be four short presentations followed by an audience Q&A.

Speakers

• Prof Mark Hanson, one of the UK’s leading researchers on the life course and intergenerational effects and advisor to WHO and the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health initiative will give an overview of the science and its economic implications.
• Sir Peter Gluckman, President of the International Science Council, will explore the essential skills needed to develop strong executive functions – the key building blocks of success in life.
• Prof Richie Poulton, Director of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit which conducts the world-famous Dunedin longitudinal study, will share research about interventions and its implications for public policy.
• Dr Robyn Mildon, Founding Executive Director of the Centre for Evidence and Implementation, will discuss the challenges of implementing good programmes and public policies to address intergenerational disadvantage.

Registration

Once registered, you will receive an email with a link to join via Microsoft Teams on the day.

This webinar is for the Productivity Commission's A fair chance for all inquiry, in association with Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures.