Government, Scholars and Business Leaders Prepare for Early Education Summits

Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. will host two summits of Virgin Islands business leaders to discuss ways of involving the business community in investing in the Territory's early childhood programs. Such programs are vital to the future success of the private sector by ensuring tomorrow's workforce has the skills and abilities necessary to keep local businesses competitive and thriving. The summits will be held June 14, 2010 on St. Croix at the Carambola Hotel and June 15, 2010 on St. Thomas at the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Resort. Both events run from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. National presenters include speakers from the Federal Reserve Bank, the PEW Charitable Trust, the University of California, Davis and the First National Bank of Pennsylvania. 

A number of recent studies have shown that while the link between the welfare of young children and the health of the private sector is often overlooked, it is extremely significant. We now understand that these two vital, yet seemingly disparate elements of civil society, are inextricably linked. Often, business leaders presented with that information come to the conclusion that investing in high quality early childhood education is a sound investment in their companies' futures, and they have an important role to play in advocating for childhood programs, initiatives, and policy changes.

“The welfare of children, from infants to teenagers, is critical to ensuring the future success, stability and prosperity of our territory. For that reason, we must strive to provide our children with the education today that will give them the skills and abilities they need to thrive in tomorrow's workforce and attain rewarding careers in the private sector,” de Jongh said.

Presenters at both summits will explain why the nexus between education and business is just a matter of connecting the dots. Quality early childhood experiences prepare children to learn before they begin their schooling. These children are more likely to read at grade level by third grade, and kids who read at grade level are more likely to graduate from high school. High school graduates are more likely to go on to higher education, enter the job market and expand the government's tax base.

While these kinds of investments do not yield immediate results, they pay off great dividends in the long run. A sensible business community takes a long-term view, understanding the need to ensure the viability of their future workforce and not being unduly influenced by short-term profit cycles and the desire to see immediate results.

These summits are born from the recognition that government cannot accomplish a comprehensive early childhood agenda alone. For that reason, The Virgin Islands and many U.S. States have embarked on creative partnerships with the business community to invest in early childhood care and education in order to ensure a strong economy years down the road.

The Virgin Islands summits are sponsored through a partnership of the Children and Family Council, the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, the Economic Development Authority, the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce, the St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce and the Pew Charitable Trusts; and funded by a grant from the Edouard Foundation.

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