THE PARTNERSHIP / STRATEGIC APPROACH
A strategic path to results
Our strategy
To reach our ambitious goal, the founding partners have developed a strategic approach to creating a future free from lead exposure.
A - Mobilize collective action at the country level to prevent lead exposure in support of protecting every child’s potential.
High-level participation from national leaders is crucial in our mission to protect children from lead exposure.
- Promote national ownership and leadership to address lead exposure in children.
- Support the development of national plan(s) of action to address lead exposure, including support in mainstreaming existing national programs linked to WHO’s risk mitigation recommendations.
- Develop institutional capacity for preventing lead exposure, monitoring lead exposure, education and awareness building, and eliminating the unsafe use of lead.
- Promote community awareness of lead exposure and its impact on child health and well-being.
- Contribute and collaborate with existing global and country initiatives that address lead exposure.
B - Address the existing sources of exposure to lead in low- and middle-income countries.
By taking action in existing contaminated sites, we can significantly change the lives of the children living there.
- Determine where children are most affected and identify the relevant sources of exposure to lead.
- Identify, prioritize, and remediate contaminated sites to eliminate specific exposures to children.
- Raise societal awareness of the harm caused by informal smelting and implement interventions to halt the illicit use of lead in consumer products.
C - Assist governments to ensure responsible lead smelting and use.
Working with national bodies means vast reach for teaching and advocating sound practices and governmental continuation of our efforts.
- Support development and implementation of policies to prevent harmful informal and illegal smelting, as well as illicit use of lead in products.
- Advocate for the adoption and enforcement of standards that provide the same level of protection for all people in all countries.
- Facilitate best practice-sharing across governments, the private sector, and civil society.
D - Mobilize private sector action.
By education and collaboration with the private sector, we can engender action in those with the most power to effect rapid reduction in lead exposure.
- Require batteries are stewarded through safe, responsible, and approved collection and smelting systems.
- Ensure lead is appropriately used in a manner consistent with proven and safe practices and is obtained only from responsible sources.
How does the strategy play out in the field?
One in three children globally suffers the effects of lead poisoning each day. A lack of awareness and symptoms means that they continue to be unknowingly compromised. Children under five are particularly vulnerable to the neurotoxin, absorbing 4–5 times as much ingested lead as adults from a given source. This causes irreversible and lifelong physical, neurological and cognitive impairment, wreaking havoc in still-developing organs and systems. As lead exposure increases, the range and severity of symptoms also increases.
Learn about the partnership
The founding members of Protecting Every Child’s Potential share a vision for a future free from lead exposure that can be achieved by combining expertise in a first-of-its-kind partnership.
The Dangers of lead exposure
The symptoms of lead exposure are difficult to see, but the damage to developing minds and bodies is severe and irreversible, including lifelong physical, neurological and cognitive impairment.
