Every now and then you find an organisation of unsung heroes who bravely battle on to promote an idea. Recently the work of the Brainwaves Trust has been drawn to my attention. The Aim of the Brainwaves Trust is that:
"One day every child in New Zealand will get the best start in life because parents and the whole community understand and value the impact early experiences have on brain development, and ultimately on the healthy development of society."
Formally the group is a charitable trust which has the goal of raising awareness about new research on brain development. In particular the influence on a child's brain development of early experiences in the first three years of life. The Trust itself is comprised of doctors, educationalists, academic and business professionals who all work voluntarily. If you have a few spare minutes as you navigate the net drop into www.brainwaves.org.nz
If a healthy society is made up of healthy individuals and communities then Brainwaves could be pioneering the way forwards to good societal health. The implications for public policy and child development are significant.
Showing posts with label child development. Show all posts
Showing posts with label child development. Show all posts
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
New Parents Group Wants Income Splitting
Media Statement
Saturday 9 February 2008
New Group Wants Income Splitting For Parents
A new lobby group – Parents Choice '08 – has today announced that it will campaign this election year for tax reform to allow parents to split their incomes for tax purposes thereby recognising the contribution of the "at home" parent.
"Parents want their role to be recognised by society. They are tired of being undervalued simply because they work with children at home" says Parents Choice Chairman, Roger Ellis.
"Income Splitting would allow a parent at home to share their partner's income for tax purposes. This means that a parent earning $60,000 per year could split the income with their partner so that each was taxed on $30,000. This could save the couple up to $123 per fortnight in tax" said Mr Ellis.
"We should not underestimate the importance of children bonding with parents – especially during the early years of development. Families today are being taxed without any recognition of the contributions made by at home parents. If Income Splitting were introduced it would restore some measure of value to at home parenting" said Mr Ellis.
"The pressures pushing both parents to hurriedly rejoin the workforce need to be relieved. Our labour force participation rates are already among the highest in the OECD. Better economic performance will come from higher productivity and improved social cohesion. Income splitting could help make the difference for many families. Families choosing to look after their own children at home should be free to make their own choice as to when they rejoin the workforce. Income Splitting will help them do that" said Mr Ellis.
Parents can show their support for Parents Choice by emailing: parentschoice08@gmail.com or comment via the blog at www.parentschoice08.blogspot.com
ENDS
For information:
Roger Ellis, Chairman, Parents Choice '08
ph: 021 526 264
email: parentschoice08@gmail.com
www.parentschoice08.blogspot.com
Saturday 9 February 2008
New Group Wants Income Splitting For Parents
A new lobby group – Parents Choice '08 – has today announced that it will campaign this election year for tax reform to allow parents to split their incomes for tax purposes thereby recognising the contribution of the "at home" parent.
"Parents want their role to be recognised by society. They are tired of being undervalued simply because they work with children at home" says Parents Choice Chairman, Roger Ellis.
"Income Splitting would allow a parent at home to share their partner's income for tax purposes. This means that a parent earning $60,000 per year could split the income with their partner so that each was taxed on $30,000. This could save the couple up to $123 per fortnight in tax" said Mr Ellis.
"We should not underestimate the importance of children bonding with parents – especially during the early years of development. Families today are being taxed without any recognition of the contributions made by at home parents. If Income Splitting were introduced it would restore some measure of value to at home parenting" said Mr Ellis.
"The pressures pushing both parents to hurriedly rejoin the workforce need to be relieved. Our labour force participation rates are already among the highest in the OECD. Better economic performance will come from higher productivity and improved social cohesion. Income splitting could help make the difference for many families. Families choosing to look after their own children at home should be free to make their own choice as to when they rejoin the workforce. Income Splitting will help them do that" said Mr Ellis.
Parents can show their support for Parents Choice by emailing: parentschoice08@gmail.com or comment via the blog at www.parentschoice08.blogspot.com
ENDS
For information:
Roger Ellis, Chairman, Parents Choice '08
ph: 021 526 264
email: parentschoice08@gmail.com
www.parentschoice08.blogspot.com
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