United States Releases New Action Plan for Children in Adversity

Moderated by ABC News Political Correspondent Cokie Roberts, the event will feature USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, Co-Founder of Saddleback Church Kay Warren, Nobel Laureate Dr. James Heckman, Musician and Advocate Emmanuel Jal and more.

For Immediate Release

Monday, December 17, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On December 19 at the White House South Court Auditorium, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) along with representatives from seven government agencies and departments will launch the first-ever, whole-of-government strategic guidance on international assistance for children in adversity.  

Crafted in coordination with the Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Health and Human Services, Labor, and State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and Peace Corps—the goal of the U.S. Government Action Plan on Children in Adversity is to achieve a world where all children live and grow up within protective family care and free from deprivation, exploitation, and danger.                                          

Making a clear link between children’s wellbeing and a nation’s social and economic progress, the plan sets a bold new international assistance framework to ensure that more children have what they need most:  strong beginnings, family care, and protection from violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect.  By incorporating new science to address the age-old problems of poverty and inequality, the plan emphasizes that the roots of successful adulthood and productive communities are sown in the early years of life.

Rooted in science, this plan moves the United States towards coordinated and multifaceted action that helps ensure children in adversity survive and thrive.

A livestream of the event will be available at www.whitehouse.gov/live.

***To gain access to the White House, press must RSVP by 3:00pm Tuesday December 18th. See RSVP instructions below***

WHAT: Launch of the U.S. Government Action Plan on Children in Adversity’s
SPEAKERS:
  • Cokie Roberts, Political Commentator, ABC News
  • Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator, USAID
  • Emmanuel Jal, Musician and Advocate
  • Kay Warren, Co-founder, Saddleback Church
  • Dr. James J. Heckman, Henry Schultz Distinguished Service Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago and Nobel Laureate
  • Robert Block, Former President, The American Academy of Pediatrics
  • Kent Hill, Senior Vice President, World Vision
WHEN: Wednesday, December 19th, 2012; 1:30-3:00 p.m.
WHERE: The White House, South Court Auditorium (Please arrive early in order to get through security.  We will begin the program promptly at 1:30.)
RSVP:

  Press must RSVP to attend this event at USAIDPressOfficers@usaid.gov with the information requested below. Additional information will be provided upon RSVP.

First Name:  (no nicknames)
Middle Name:  (full middle name; if no middle name, put NMN)
Last Name: 
Gender:  (male / female)
Date of Birth:  (month / day / year)
Social Security Number:
U.S. Citizen:  (Yes / No)
Country of Birth:
City and State of Residence:  (Primary Residence)