Notre Dame’s Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child Releases Five-Year Review of Research, Learning, and Global Impact
The University of Notre Dame’s Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child (GC-DWC), part of the Institute for Educational Initiatives (IEI), has released its Five-Year Review, highlighting a half-decade of impact, innovation, and research in support of children and youth facing adversity around the world.
Since its inception in 2019, the GC-DWC has worked to improve the lives of children and youth in 25 countries, developing and testing evidence-based approaches that not only support academic achievement but also create safe, supportive, and equitable family, school, and community environments. Through close collaboration with partners across the research-practice-policy spectrum, the Global Center translates learning into scalable programs and policies that strengthen the systems children rely on to thrive.
From advancing mother-tongue literacy in Haiti and social and emotional learning (SEL) in India, to supporting curriculum reform in Sub-Saharan Africa and shaping global education policy, the Global Center’s work is grounded in implementation science and a commitment to “learning by doing.” This approach ensures that programs are context-responsive, evidence-driven, and sustainable. In India and Haiti alone, the GC-DWC has operated in over 770 schools, and an additional 100+ universities and colleges in India. Its research-to-action programs benefit a combined 540,000 students, over 35,000 teachers and school directors, and over 100 university faculty.
The report also recognizes the power of faith-based partnerships, the importance of local leadership, and the development of innovative tools to support child and teacher well-being in under-resourced and crisis-affected settings.
“This five-year review marks a significant milestone in our journey to advance the well-being and development of children worldwide,” said Neil Boothby, professor and director of the Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child. “While we celebrate the progress we've made, we remain clear-eyed about the challenges ahead—poverty, conflict, displacement, and inequality—and steadfast in our commitment to advancing child-centered solutions and empowering communities to better support the next generation.”
Matthew Kloser, Hackett Family Director of the Institute for Educational Initiatives, reflected on the Center’s alignment with Notre Dame’s broader mission:
“The University of Notre Dame seeks to be a force for good in the world. This mission is reflected in the daily work of the Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child. From pioneering play-based learning models to informing policy decisions that create sustainable change, this five-year review offers a compelling look at the Global Center’s contributions through research and direct impact to communities. As we look to the future, I am confident that the GC-DWC will continue to be a force for good, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive.”
As part of the University’s Institute for Educational Initiatives, the Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child stands at the intersection of academic research and real-world implementation—ensuring that insights gained through collaboration, faith, and science are translated into tangible improvements for children and youth worldwide.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to the researchers, educators, partners, advocates, and communities who have contributed to our work over the past five years,” added Boothby. “This review is a testament to their passion and dedication to creating a better world for every child.”
Read the full Five-Year Review: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:cc425135-1ddc-3a2f-a27a-74c71c8a36ef
About the Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child (GC-DWC)
The Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child (GC-DWC) at the Institute for Educational Initiatives at the University of Notre Dame, collaborates with researchers and practitioners to ensure the wellbeing—physical, emotional, social, and cognitive—of children and adolescents in low-resource and conflict-affected settings. Established to serve as a coherent platform for the Institute for Educational Initiative’s growing portfolio of global child development and learning programs, GC-DWC creates environments that foster resilience and encourage children and adolescents to thrive. Using an innovative whole child development approach tailored to context-specific needs, GC-DWC translates research into timely and thoughtful action, adapts research tools to improve the development of learning programs and policies, and activates systems (families, schools, communities) to lift children and adolescents out of adversity.
For more information about the GC-DWC and its initiatives, visit https://iei.nd.edu/gc-dwc/about.
About the Institute for Educational Initiatives
Founded in 1996, the Institute for Educational Initiatives (IEI) consists of more than two dozen initiatives that strive to improve education for all youth, particularly the disadvantaged, paying special, though not exclusive, attention to Catholic schools. Through research, the formation of teachers and leaders, and direct service to educational systems, the IEI’s scholars and practitioners pursue interdisciplinary collaborations to better understand and improve PK-12 education in the United States and around the world.
For more information about the IEI and its initiatives, visit iei.nd.edu.
