Infants may be the most vulnerable to the changes in proposed WHO funding by the United States government. SRCD has developed a statement that we at ICIS endorse.

Please click the link below to review the SRCD statement.

https://www.srcd.org/news/society-research-child-development-statement-us-government-withholding-funding-world-health

Dear Colleagues,

It is with deep sadness that we announce that the 2020 International Congress of Infant Studies will not be held in Glasgow July 6 – 9, 2020 as planned.

The Executive Committee has been closely monitoring the global situation with respect to COVID-19. With the increasing global spread of the coronavirus, consequent increased number of international travel restrictions along with changing public health measures globally, including the transition of our conference venue into a field hospital, we must cancel the in-person Biennial ICIS Meeting that was to be held July 6-9 in Glasgow.

We are considering several options for alternatives including a virtual meeting and rescheduling the 2020 meeting to be held in Scotland in 2021. We ask for your understanding as we finalize our plans in this currently changing environment.  Your patience is requested regarding reimbursements of registration fees as we will have further announcements in the coming weeks.

If you do require immediate reimbursement of your registration fee, please contact us to arrange for a refund.

For any travel booked, many airlines are offering cancellation fee waivers or credits due to the travel concerns and quarantines currently in effect. If you have already booked travel to attend ICIS, please check the terms and conditions with your travel provider directly.  Should you require a letter stating the cancelling due to COVID-19, please contact us via email to request the letter. Because we are exploring the option to meet in 2021 in Scotland, you may wish to wait until we have firm details and see if you can transfer your ticket to a future flight.

If you have booked your accommodation, please contact the hotel directly to cancel your booking.

For any questions or concerns regarding the postponement of the 2020 meeting, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Despite the cancellation of the meeting, we are planning to hold our elections and to determine award winners as previously announced. We look forward to recognizing leaders and outstanding researchers in our community in the coming months.

We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused and hope that you are taking care of yourself, your families and lab mates/colleagues.  We look forward to seeing you all soon, whether in a virtual or rescheduled live meeting!

Sincerely,

Lisa Oakes

President, International Congress of Infant Studies

We are working full time on preparations for ICIS Biennial Congress in Glasgow and with no current recommendations to restrict travel to Scotland or the United Kingdom, our plans for the upcoming event remain in place.

The International Congress of Infant Studies is paying close attention to new developments with the novel Coronavirus, COVID-19, and we’re following the guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)

We recommend that if you are planning to attend ICIS 2020 that you register for the conference before the April 6^th deadline to take advantage of the lowest rates.  In the event of travel bans issued by the World Health Organization or national government of the United Kingdom making it impossible to attend the meeting, we will fully refund registration fees to those directly impacted.

Should the situation change ICIS will advise all delegates, exhibitors and partners through social media, email communication and the website.

Further information regarding COVID-19 can be found on the World Health Organization site, including daily updates, tips on travel and ways to stay healthy.

The International Congress of Infant Studies (ICIS) provides a context for the dissemination of research methods and findings on psychological development during infancy and early childhood and supports open intellectual discussion about theory, research, and practice. The Congress is committed to serving the needs of all ICIS members, inclusive of career stage, theoretical orientation, methodological practice, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical appearance, ethnicity/race or country of origin, religion, and political views. ICIS expects all attendees at our meetings and events to treat each other with mutual respect.   The International Congress of Infant Studies (ICIS) provides a context for the dissemination of research methods and findings on psychological development during infancy and early childhood and supports open intellectual discussion about theory, research, and practice. The Congress is committed to serving the needs of all ICIS members, inclusive of career stage, theoretical orientation, methodological practice, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical appearance, ethnicity/race or country of origin, religion, and political views. ICIS expects all attendees at our meetings and events to treat each other with mutual respect.

        

Separation of Migrant Children

Scientific statement by ISDP and ICIS on U.S. government practice of separating migrant children from their parents at the border

Isolating children from their caregivers and families leads to abnormal development by creating physiological and psychological trauma. The scientific study of child development suggests that the newly announced policy of the Trump administration of separating children from parents is likely to have both negative immediate physiological effects on the developing stress system and long-term effects both psychological and physiological as well.  Decades of work on children separated from families and placed into institutions support this science.

On April 19, 2018 U.S. Attorney General Jeffrey Sessions announced a change in U.S. policy where all immigrants entering illegally would be held in detention centers, and in so doing, all children would be separated from parents because children cannot be held in adult detention centers. This change in policy is a response to discourage immigrants due to a stated 37% increase in illegal border crossings.

Separating children from caregivers and placing families in situations of extreme uncertainty with respect to reunification is a form of toxic stress. This is not only a psychological, but also a physiological response. An experience of chronic or prolonged stress may lead to the development of anxiety disorders or mood disorders, such as depression. Individuals suffering from stress may also experience an inability to sleep, a decreased or increased appetite, a propensity towards alcohol or drug consumption, and a decreased interest in social or physical activities.

Separating young children from their families also has significant effects on the developing brain, which is highly influenced by childhood experiences. There are specific regions of the brain that continue to mature throughout adolescence and that are affected more extremely by stress particularly in early life. It is intuitive that stressful experiences shape changing systems more than systems that are already developed. The critical role of nurturing relationships for children has been identified as fundamental to normal human development and resilience. Young children depend on stable, responsive caregiving from adults they know well. A strong caregiver relationship can prevent or lessen the activation of the stress response through a process known as social buffering. Without effective parental social buffering, the normal development of the brain can be altered, with enduring adverse effects on children’s cognitive and emotional development.

Placing children in detention centers will put children at very high risk for poor mental and physical health outcomes. As a developmental organization with a global scope, in order to enhance productive and adaptive lives of all global citizens, especially the youngest, we urge the cessation the current policy of separation.

Members of the International Congress of Infant Studies (ICIS) may wish to view and sign an open letter to US Secretary Nielsen at the Department of Homeland Security in regards to the separation of children from their parents at the US southern border.

A Take Action letter was created by members of the ICIS and other similar communities and can be found by clicking here

The link above will direct you to a Take Action page with information on how to continue to amplify the message and it will continue to be updated as things process.

ICIS has written the following letter to NIH regarding Clinical Trials.  Please read through the letter and let NIH know your thoughts regarding their change in policy.  Special thank you to Lisa Oakes for drafting the response.

Kathy Hirsch-Pasek, President
Karen Adolph, Past President
Lisa Oakes, President Elect