Statement Policy
The Cognitive Development Society (CDS) is committed to advancing scientific understanding of cognitive development and promoting evidence-based practices that support children’s growth and wellbeing worldwide. As our organization has evolved, we have carefully considered how to maximize our impact and best serve our mission. While current world events may deeply affect our members and the communities we study, we have determined that as a Society, we will not issue public statements about these events.
This decision reflects several key considerations: Our primary strength lies in conducting, synthesizing, and enhancing access to high-quality research; our membership spans many countries, cultures, and perspectives that cannot be adequately represented by any single statement; and we believe we can create more meaningful change through the advancement and translation of research for the public good rather than by issuing statements about individual events.
Toward this end, we reaffirm our commitment to proactive engagement through initiatives such as supporting early-career researchers from diverse backgrounds through specialized mentorship programs; facilitating interdisciplinary dialogue that bridges research and real-world application; creating, curating, and disseminating research-based educational resources that address critical societal challenges; and providing structured opportunities through conferences, publications, and working groups for researchers to present and discuss work on children’s wellbeing in relation to humanitarian crises and societal challenges.
We also encourage our members to continue their vital work advancing our understanding of cognitive development and engaging with their local communities and institutions in ways that align with their individual expertise and values.