Foundations: Reframing Child Wellbeing in Complex Global Realities

Builds on guiding theoretical and practice frameworks (including child rights, child and family welfare, child health, child protection, etc.) used currently, both nationally and internationally to shape interventions to protect children and youth, with a specific focus on working with families and communities to protect children. Drawing on knowledge and practices from the Global South and Indigenous ways of knowing, students are encouraged to think critically about systems of care and protection, applying new ways of thinking and deconstructing colonialist practices. Encourages understanding of the community and cultural systems of support for children and families that exist in many ways parallel to the formal governmental systems of services. Guides students to explore and navigate important tensions and relationships, such as between protection and wellbeing, immediate and long-term care, universal and local values, autonomy and safety through critical reflection and discourse. Questions and explores the frameworks applied to child protection and wellbeing and the impact these framings have on children, youth, and families.