Dear ISSBD Colleagues,
It is indeed an honor to be your new ISSBD President. I am
both thrilled and awed to be elected to serve you.
We are living in challenging times. Many parts of the world
are experiencing war, conflict and political unrest. An unprecedented
number of children, adults and families live in unsettled
circumstances as immigrants, refugees or under siege. There are
children who have never lived in a permanent safe home or
attended school on a regular basis. Governments are making
decisions based on political or economic gain rather than what
will maximize child or human well-being. While personal politics
are indeed sensitive and private, as scientists we strive to
achieve optimal human development regardless of geography
or political opinions.
The International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development
(ISSBD) is committed to promoting scholarly research
and the application of knowledge to maximize well-being at
every point in the life span. We are served by the multidisciplinary
field of developmental science. Developmental science aims
to describe, explain and, where appropriate, intervene to optimize
developmental outcomes. Because of this, developmental science
provides insights relevant for all human service fields including
education, health, and social services. Therefore, to ensure that
policies and professional practice in these fields are effective and
efficient, it is important that they are informed by rigorous
research in developmental science, supported by effective knowledge
translation and applied in ways guided by implementation
science.
Developmental science has gained an understanding of the
wide range of life course trajectories that lead to adaptive or
adverse outcomes, the factors that precipitate these different
trajectories, and the developmental transition points at which
interventions are likely be most effective. We have learned the
importance of identifying and capitalizing on individual, family
and community strengths to maintain and advance positive
development among people of all ages.
Although we are living in challenging times, it is my hope
that we can work together to forge new pathways to address
these challenges in exciting ways, informed by science and
fueled by our mutual goal to improve the lives of all.
I look forward to working with you to achieve this goal.
Toni Antonucci
President of ISSBD