City solutions for young children and families
Lessons from Detroit and Addis Ababa

Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. EST 
Online only: https://www.brookings.edu/events/city-solutions-for-young-children-and-families/ 

Cities play a critical role in shaping the conditions that allow young children and families to thrive. City-level policy decisions shape many of the conditions essential to healthy early childhood development, including access to food, water, and nutrition; safe and stable housing; caregiver safety and well-being; family economic stability; and opportunities for play and learning. As cities pursue goals such as poverty reduction, affordability, and job creation, investments in young children and families have emerged as a strategic approach to achieving broader social and economic outcomes. 

On February 10, the Center for Universal Education (CUE) at Brookings will convene city leaders and policy stakeholders for a conversation on how cities can design and implement policies to help young children and families thrive. Since 2019, CUE has worked with cities to support policies that benefit young children and families, initially through its Playful Learning Landscapes initiative. This event will spotlight the experiences of Detroit and Addis Ababa, two cities that have taken significant steps to improve the lives of young children and their families through holistic investments spanning critical sectors. Through a moderated discussion with city leaders, the audience will leave with practical takeaways on building political and community support for policies and their implementation, identifying creative ways to finance investments, and coordinating across sectors to deliver results. 

Viewers can submit questions via email at events@brookings.edu.