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First International Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education: |18 February 2017

Delegates share knowledge, experiences and practices on second day of work

 

Seychelles is currently hosting the first International Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). The aim of the conference is to share international knowledge and practice in ECCE and promote learning in ECCE provision and service delivery.

After Thursday’s opening ceremony at the Eden Bleu Hotel during which Unesco recognised Seychelles as a central point for ECCE, the
three-day meeting continued yesterday at the International Conference Centre (ICCS).

The theme of the second working day was ‘Sharing knowledge, experiences and practices’. Topics included the following: The development of a National System for Early Childhood intervention; the neuroscience of early childhood development; the brain, learning and the early years; environment and the cultivation of early socioemocognitive structures in children’s brain; neuroscience and early childhood programmes; and pre-schools without schools.

Delegates also learnt on Seychelles’ experience in the building of the country’s ECCE system as well as on the situation analysis and best practices from Sweden, Georgia, Indonesia, Cameroon, South Africa, and Swaziland.

Among the presenters was the director of Institute for Reconstruction and International Security through Education (RISE), Dr Emily Vargas-Baron. She emphasised that in order to meet each nation’s rights and needs for child development, countries must provide comprehensive and continuous ECCE as well as individualised services for infants and young children, especially for those with developmental delays, disabilities and behavioural disorders.

Before the start of the day’s session, the principal secretary (PS) for Health Dr Bernard Valentin had told the delegates that the mental and physical growth as well as the development of children in the first years of life must be handled with care, as they are complex and delicate.

He added that whatever is done or not done for our younger children have major consequences on their ability to live, grow, interact, learn and be healthy, stable and happy.

“Even before birth, the child-to-be needs comprehensive and coordinated health services so as to be born alive. And after being born alive; to live, grow, play, learn and be stable, healthy and happy.  Even before birth, the child’s brain and body are at major risks. Health care services must be structured to mitigate those risks,” Dr Valentin said.

The PS for Health underlined that Seychelles has realised that any robust health system for young children must adequately address all of their needs. Social, economic, cultural, environmental, and technological factors, he said, determine health and leave everlasting marks on children.

“The younger the child, the more indelible the mark,” he emphasised.

The first International Conference on Early Childhood Care and Educationends today with a summary of common challenges and joint framework for future actions.

Delegates will also discuss on the topic of nutrition in early childhood and learn of ECCE achievements and challenges in countries like Azerbaijan, Egypt, Gabon, India, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Today’s speakers will include the chief medical officer of Nestle Nutrition Professor José Saavedra, the chief executive (CEO) of the Institute of Early Childhood Development (IECD) of Seychelles Shirley Choppy, director of Unesco’s International Bureau of Education (IBE-Unesco) Dr Mmantsetsa Marope and the president of the IBE Council Dr Hamood bin Khalfan Al-Harti.

 

 

 

 

 

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