Emma Reynolds, Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East, has signed a cross-party petition, calling for early childhood development to be at the heart of a new development framework.The petition, spearheaded by Ivan Lewis and Tessa Jowell, asks UN general secretary Ban Ki-moon to put the youngest children in developing countries at the forefront of a new framework to replace the Millennium Development Goals, which will expire in 2015. It already has over a thousand signatures.

Speaking after signing the petition, Emma said, “I strongly support this initiative to give the most disadvantaged children the best possible start in life.  Building on the successes of Sure Start, which Labour introduced in the UK, we must give children in the developing world the same chances as we wish to give our own. This commitment will help address issues such as education, stunted growth and maternal wellbeing, and guarantee that the next generation is equipped to work towards a better future.”

To sign the petition go to http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/un-secretary-general-ban-ki-moon-and-un-member-states-put-early-childhood-development-at-the-heart-of-the-new-post-2015-development-framework-with-targets-that-promise-all-children-care-support-and-services-which-work-together-for-the-best-start-in-l

October 2013