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Unicef and Red Cross boxes at the warehouse of Venezuelan Red Cross, in Caracas, Venezuela, on April 22, 2019.UESLEI MARCELINO/Reuters

Dr. Ed McCauley is president and vice-chancellor of the University of Calgary.

Imagine a world where every single child can thrive. We can now make it possible.

Friday, the Government of Canada announced a $125-million investment in the University of Calgary’s One Child Every Child. This bold child health and wellness research initiative earned the largest grant in the university’s history.

The size of the grant reflects the size of the need.

In 2020, UNICEF ranked Canada 30th out of 38 wealthy nations in child health and wellness outcomes. Our children deserve better.

The University of Calgary can’t help kids alone. This landmark government investment has already inspired unparalleled partnerships, bringing the total impact of research funding for One Child Every Child to $268- million … and counting.

So far, 132 organizations across 25 countries have come together through the University of Calgary to take child health research further. Global advocates like UNICEF, philanthropic supporters like the Azrieli Foundation, and provincial leaders like the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation are partnering with us to ensure all kids are healthy, empowered and flourishing.

The University of Calgary is sparking meaningful change.

We were the first Canadian university to make child health and wellness an institution-wide research priority. We have an impressive track record of conducting research that improves child health. And we have ground-breaking platforms, like the Azrieli Accelerator, which is advancing transdisciplinary research for neurodevelopmental disabilities including autism and ADHD.

One Child Every Child is about putting people first.

This global research project reflects the University of Calgary’s deep commitment to walking parallel paths with Indigenous communities. Indigenous scholars, Elders and leaders are walking side by side with non-Indigenous researchers so that the voices, priorities, and solutions of Indigenous people are acted upon.

Equity, diversity and inclusion are being embedded in every aspect of the research itself. We are collaborating with equity-deserving communities like the Islamic Family and Social Services Association, the Autism Alliance of Canada, the Black Opportunity Fund and so many more. We are working with and for these partners to understand their unique needs and how together, we can best help young people.

There’s much to be done.

Our work will focus on improving the health and wellbeing of pregnant women, infants and pre-schoolers to ensure better beginnings. It will investigate precision health and wellness, improving the journey from diagnosis through treatment for kids with complex medical needs. And, it will support children with neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions to help them go from vulnerable to thriving.

One Child Every Child demonstrates the important role great research universities have always played in society. University of Calgary’s mission is to discover new knowledge and translate those discoveries into applications that make our world healthier, fairer and safer for all. Data and breakthroughs from One Child Every Child research will be shared with policy makers to guide strategic decisions that help children and families where they need it most.

This is the latest example of how, thanks to government and community support, the University of Calgary is positioned to make a real, lasting positive impact on the world around us.

A generational shift benefiting all our children is within reach.

Kids across Canada need One Child Every Child.

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