UH Partners with Aprica to Launch First Childcare Summer Institute in August

In recognizing the importance of raising warmhearted children and furthering the cross-cultural understanding of childcare science and child nurturing, the University of Hawai'i and Aprica Childcare Institute will host the first Symposium on Early Childhood and Health Development through its new Childcare Summer Institute program at the East-West Center, Hawaii Imin International Conference Center, from August 13-16, 2001. Registration is $25 per day or $80 for four days of lectures and plenary sessions.

Though the 4-day symposium is primarily geared toward physicians and professionals specializing in pediatric or child care, the institute will close with a special public seminar featuring one of America's leading proponents of children's healthy development and school readiness, Michael Levine, executive director of "I Am Your Child Foundation," and Japan's preeminent physician in neonatal pediatric care, Dr. Hajime Nakamura, chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Kobe University School of Medicine.

"This Symposium provides an unprecedented opportunity for international exchange on the principles of raising children in a safe, nurturing and compassionate environment," proclaimed Joyce Tsunoda, Chancellor of UH Community Colleges. "We are grateful to Aprica chairman Kenzo Kassai for his commitment in promoting warmheartedness in early childhood."

Dr. Calvin Sia M.D., professor of pediatrics, John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii at Manoa, reports that this first conference will be "primarily pediatric-oriented with Hawaii's approach towards developing an integrated system of care in early childhood based on Carnegie's Starting Point. Ensuring good health and protection from violent and non-violent injuries will be emphasized in addition to responsible parenthood, quality child care choices, and mobilizing communities in support of early childhood."