The ICDP approach to training is based on the idea that the best way to help children is by helping the children’s caregivers. It is now well known that unless children have at least one caring adult to love them and teach them life skills, social behaviour and morals, their mental and emotional development will be impaired. Recent research suggests that normal physical development of the brain depends on proper interaction between a caring adult and the growing child. In normal circumstances such learning happens naturally. However when families are uprooted through social changes, migration, catastrophes, children losing their parents, or having been numbed by severe deprivation and emotional shock, this care often breaks down and has to be reactivated through skilled help. If children do not receive sufficient love and attention while they are young, the problem can perpetuate itself because they can themselves become inadequate parents. Therefore ICDP’s focus is on trying to break this cycle.

ICDP began developing its training program in 1985 but an organisation was not founded until 1992 when it was registered as a private foundation, in Oslo, Norway, with the objective of working for the development of children and young people. The ethos of ICDP is to provide for human care by activating empathy and education of both caregivers and their children.The work of ICDP is based on the principles that are laid down in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. ICDP may participate directly or indirectly in activities run by other humanitarian organisation having corresponding objectives.

Programme — ICDP has developed a simple and culturally adaptable programme, based on recent research in child development that sensitises and enriches the relationship between caregivers and their children. Local child rearing practices are identified and reactivated in order to stimulate development that is truly authentic and long lasting. The main aim of ICDP training is to build competence and confidence in the members of a community or an existing child caring system and to transfer the project to the local resource persons.

Implementation — The ICDP program was originally developed for parents/caregivers of very young children. Over the years it has proved to be relevant for caregivers of older children too. The program can be used in the area of prevention and rehabilitation in different contexts; to train staff in centres and institutions for children, to improve relational abilities of teachers in preschools and schools, or as a parenting programme working through networks, such as primary health care or social services. The ICDP programme can help develop standards for human care in emergency situations, when young children are placed in camps or institutions due to war, migration, catastrophes, abandonment or abuse.

Training — Workshops are given on 3 different levels, followed by practical application of ICDP in 2 ‘self-training projects’. At the first level of training participants implement the programme directly with families. The second level of training qualifies participants to train others. The final level of training authorizes participants to supervise the future developments of ICDP in their communities.

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ICDP is active in 15 countries.

For more information see http://www.icdp.info

Charity Registration No. 92/04227
Org. no. 971259906N

Contact:
ICDP, Head-office in Norway,
Anne Maries vei 14b ICDP, Oslo, Norway
Tel. +47 21 39 34 16
Email: icdp@icdp.no

ICDP Annual Report 2009
ICDP Financial Report 2009

ICDP Newsletter — June 2009

ICDP Annual Report 2008 (4.8 MB)