05/06/2026
Niels Peter Rygaard (Denmark) writes about intercultural cooperation in infant mental health through the global training work of the Fairstart Foundation, in partnership with organizations across 38 countries. The paper poses the dilemma of how extensive childcare research from Western countries can be integrated with the rich traditions of indigenous infant care on equal terms, in contexts shaped by historical and ongoing inequalities. It emphasizes the importance of traditional collective care practices in strengthening attachment and community resilience, and the need to adapt interventions in close collaboration with local caregivers, researchers, and governments.
Intro In the post-colonial era, many Indigenous communities, ethnic groups, and nations return to their roots by rekindling and preserving their traditional family and childcare practices. Escalating migration has intensified conflicts over cultural identity, adding to challenges in intercultural co...
