DURHAM, N.C. - A half-day conference at Duke University on Monday, March 29 will explore questions related to the economics of investing in children. The event also celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke.

The "Investing in Children" conference is from 1:45 to 6:30 p.m. at the Sanford School of Public Policy on Duke's West Campus. The event is free and open to the public, though registration is requested.

The activities begin with a forum on economic investments in children featuring panelists including former North Carolina Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., followed by an open house where attendees can learn more about the center's research and policy work.

The keynote speaker is Nobel Prize-winning economist James J. Heckman, Henry Schultz Distinguished Service Professor of Economics at The University of Chicago, who will talk about "The Economics of Investing in Children: The Role of Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Skills."

"In this challenging economic time we have to rethink, collectively, how we are spending our dollars and investing in our children, and be even more attentive than ever before to what works and to the economic returns of our investment ," said Kenneth Dodge, director of the Center for Child and Family Policy. He says the event marks the center's role as an active participant in these questions in Durham and North Carolina through programs including Durham Connects, which supports parents and newborn children, the Durham Family Initiative to help families at risk of child abuse, and a number of programs aimed at preventing substance abuse.

"The center produces research that's relevant and service that directly helps children, and we participate in and convene policy discussions. Organizing an event of this caliber and size is a marker of our success," Dodge says.

For a complete schedule and to register, visit www.childandfamilypolicy.duke.edu/events/10yr_anniversary.php.