Inclusive ECCD: - Consultative Group on Early Childhood Care and ...

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Activities of the Secretariat between NGOs in the region, and the formation of a loose e-mail discussion group among interested members of the consortium. The network has received strong regional support from UNICEF. In addition, several regionally-based <strong>ECCD</strong> specialists have contributed their time generously as faculty in the Regional Institute and in coordinating exchange training opportunities for <strong>ECCD</strong> practitioners in the region. Issues that have been addressed (and shared) within the region include: measurement/assessment of children, media and <strong>ECCD</strong>, parent education, and creating linkages between child labour and <strong>ECCD</strong>. Particular efforts within individual countries, such as an initiative in the Philippines to reach out to developmental pediatricians, have been communicated to others within the network. Members of the network have shared programme descriptions of interesting and effective efforts within the region (and within South Asia as well), and in a couple of cases, offered site visits as well. The following issues were identified for further attention in the near future: It was felt that parenting programmes (built on strengths and not deficit models) need to be more widely available. In addition, it was felt that <strong>ECCD</strong> practitioners need to know how to better link with Ministers of Finance, and with the business world in general, to gain wider acceptance of <strong>ECCD</strong>. The CG for Southeast Asia is convened by Feny de los Angeles Bautista in conjunction with a support team representing diverse countries in the region. A regional technical consultation was held in Manila from September 21–24, 1998 on Assessment Issues in <strong>ECCD</strong>. The meeting, supported by UNICEF, was attended by individuals from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, UNICEF Headquarters, Regional offices (EAPRO and ROSA) and the Philippines office, and the <strong>Consultative</strong> <strong>Group</strong> Secretariat. During the four days current instruments that are being used in the region were reviewed. In addition, there was considerable discussion of the kinds of outcomes that are desirable from <strong>ECCD</strong> programmes and of the kinds of strategies that could be used to measure those outcomes. Current instruments do not provide this kind of information. Two task forces were created: one to work on instrumentation appropriate for children from birth to three years of age; the second task force was created to work on instrumentation related to the growth and development from age three through the early primary grades. Caribbean: Janet Brown Caribbean Child Development Centre University of the West Indies P.O. Box 141, Mona, Kingston 7 Jamaica Tel: (876) 927-1618; Fax: (876) 977-7433 E-mail: janbrown@toj.com In a recent Coordinators’ Notebook there was discussion of the fact that the Caribbean Plan of Action was ratified by the CARICOM Heads of State in 1997. Since ratification there have been several difficulties experienced in moving governments to action now that national policies have been developed. Issues being faced include the following: Network Notes COORDINATORS’ NOTEBOOK, ISSUE 22 59
Network Notes COORDINATORS’ NOTEBOOK, ISSUE 22 no system has been set in place for monitoring the implementation of the plans; in most countries there is no existing data base on young children, which means that it is extremely difficult to measure progress; although the policy was universally approved, the regional offices have not been empowered to act on behalf of CARICOM to push implementation; no budget has been set up to support the process; and the policy is not adequately linked to national goals related to poverty alleviation. The network, and in particular the Caribbean Child Development Center (CCDC), have been called on by diverse international agencies, by governments, and by UNICEF and others to provide technical assistance in addressing the situation of young children through programming, and to set up a resource centre for the region. However, they are experiencing a need for funds to support their infrastructure, in particular to cover staff salaries. This is a good example of a place where a network needs to be strengthened in order to support activity on tasks on which governments, development agencies, and practitioners have already reached agreement. The expertise exists within the region, but it needs to be funded to do the work set out by the joint planners. National activities in a number of Caribbean countries are going forward, but central to these is a request for technical assistance by governments to UNICEF, (who has, in turn, requested this service of the Network), and others. Arab Resource Collective: Ghanem Bibi Arab Resource Collective P.O. Box 7380 Nicosia, Cyprus Tel: 3572-766741; Fax: 3572-766790 E-mail: arccyp@spidernet.com.cy The Network of Arab Countries is organised by the Arab Resource Collective (ARC), which works in Lebanon (including the Palestinian refugee camps), Palestine, Sudan, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan and Yemen. They are reaching out to NGOs in Tunisia, Syria, and Iraq as well. ARC’s activities include ECECD (Early Childhood Education Care and Development), Child to Child, Child Rights, “Better Childhood in the Arab World”,Youth projects, and Women’s Empowerment. They are working to integrate these themes throughout their activities, and within the organisation of their cooperative efforts. The network functions as a cooperative, working to educate and evolve their “collective mind”. Key values include holistic integrated programming, participation and the empowerment of participants, partnerships, and parent involvement. They work hard to make sure that each participant develops an active and shared understanding of these concepts, beyond mere rhetoric. The collective is engaged in documentation, including collecting and disseminating materials in ECECD (in Arabic and English), putting together a data base, writing country profiles of ECECD provision within each country, developing a training manual in ECECD which details a process for training Activities of the Secretariat 60
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The Consultative <
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UNICEF/5527/John Isaac Environmenta
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who needed special services and sup
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Page 25 and 26: Related Resources Nothing About Us
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Page 29 and 30: CASE STUDIES GUYANAl Hopeful Steps
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