This release is available in French.
Montreal, November 18, 2008 – Richard E. Tremblay has received the prestigious René-Joseph Laufer Prize from the Académie des Sciences morales et politiques of the Institut de France.
A professor of pediatrics, psychiatry and psychology at the Université de Montréal, Dr. Tremblay received the honour for his book, Prévenir la violence dès la petite enfance (Preventing Violence in Early Childhood), recently published by publisher Odile Jacob.
The René-Joseph Laufer Prize is awarded every two years for a book that contributes to the prevention of social problems. In his book, Dr. Tremblay shows how violence often appears in infancy and can take root without appropriate interventions.
"I am very happy and honoured to receive this distinction from the Academy. In writing my book I wanted to educate both the general public and policy-makers about the importance of taking action in early childhood to prevent violence," says Dr. Tremblay. "This prize confirms that intervention in the early years is the most effective way to prevent physical and mental health problems, as well as social adjustment issues."
Dr. Tremblay's René-Joseph Laufer Prize comes on the heels of his being named Grand Officer of the Gabriela Mistral Order of Merit in Chile on November 4. He received the distinction from Chilean President Michèle Bachelet for his innovations in disseminating information about early childhood and for his contribution to policies on early childhood development.
A member of the Royal Society of Canada, Richard Tremblay is the director of the Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development (CEECD), the Early Childhood Learning Knowledge Centre (ECLKC), and the Research unit on children's psychosocial maladjustment (GRIP) at the Université de Montréal.
Because physical violence, particularly among the young, still plagues the developed world, Professor Tremblay has dedicated his career to the study of violent behaviour and has developed educational programs that promote moral and social development.
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About the Université de Montréal: www.umontreal.ca/english/index.htm
Media contacts:
Gabrielle Collu
Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development
Telelphone: 514 844-7338 or 514 943-6557
Email: collug@videotron.ca
Julie Gazaille
Université de Montréal
Telephone: 514 343-6796
Email : j.cordeau-gazaille@umontreal.ca