Early Childhood Development in Timor takes a big step forward
Many groups have an interest in ECD in Timor, but they have different emphases and approaches. The forum aimed to bring all stakeholders together to develop a common ECD framework and system.
It attracted 130 participants and featured exhibitions from seven groups involved in ECD: World Vision, Plan, ChildFund, Fokupers, Alola Foundation, Mary MacKillop Institute and Ba Futuru.
Among the highlights over two days were the addresses from guest speakers including Divya Lata, Plan Asia Regional Office’s Early Learning and Education Advisor.
She explained how the latest scientific evidence is showing the crucial importance of pregnancy and the first six months in a child’s development. A newborn baby will recognise its mother tongue, can see colour and will respond to all interventions, good and bad.
Formal ECD often starts at 2-3 years of age but by then a child’s senses, and the brain cells responsible for those senses, are already well developed.
Dr. Fe Garcia, a US-based World Vision Senior Advisor on Child and Adolescent Health and Development, spoke on ‘The Evidence: Integrating ECD into MCH and Nutrition Programs’.
It is vital that health and nutrition programs are a full part of ECD, she says. ‘We are dealing with whole, very young children whose needs are interrelated and interdependent. Parents do not look after their children as sectors and nor must we.’
Speakers included (from left): World Vision's Fe Garcia, Plan's Divya Lata, Timor-Leste's Children's Rights Commissioner Sra Maria Barreto, and Sra Carmen da Cruz from the Ministry of Social and Solidarity.
Garcia often uses a quote from American social reformer Frederick Douglass: ‘It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men’.
Maria Barretto, the country's new National Commissioner for the Rights of the Child, looked at the situation of 0-6 year olds in Timor-Leste, especially children’s rights to survival, development, protection and participation.
Children’s rights are enshrined in Timor-Leste’s constitution, but protection starts with the family, Barreto said. ‘The family is the best partner in childcare. If we strengthen the parents, we strengthen the children.’ Communities are also important and sucos, which are close to communities, should take a lead role.
Forum participants discussed these ideas in several workshop sessions - their recommendations will be published soon on this site.
The forum, entitled ‘The First Six Years: The Most Important Time of Development in a Child’s Life’, was held at the João Paolo Centre in Comoro.
