NEW! Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood
Several mechanisms exist for coordination of Early Childhood (EC) professionals globally, including both the Consultative Group on ECCD and the World Forum. Professional societies in early childhood publish journals and hold annual conferences; several of these exist in Asia and the Pacific at the national level. Until now, however, there has yet to be established an official network of early childhood professionals in Asia.
The Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood (ARNEC) aims to strengthen advocacy, policy, research and innovative practices in early childhood at national and regional levels. The goal is to align all of the aforementioned to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also ensuring optimal holistic development of all children.
Key objectives have been identified:
- expand the knowledge base on innovative practices in early childhood in the region
- analyze, synthesize and disseminate information in ways accessible and useful to a wide range of actors and stakeholders from different disciplines
- create capacity building opportunities
- leverage human, institutional and financial resources in support of optimal holistic early childhood development for all children.
Structure
Membership in ARNEC is not restricted to Asia, but is free and open for all interested individuals. For the time being, we will not be seeking to establish institutional or organisational memberships. Members will receive regular news and updates, will be sent and/or have access to a journal or newsletter, and will be kept informed of events being organised in the region. The target group for the Network is manyfold. First off, members will be direct beneficiaries of the Network. As the Network evolves and matures and its membership increases, various committees and thematic groups will be formed around member interest, thereby attracting increased membership. In addition, government policy makers and key donors will be an important target group of the advocacy and research initiatives carried out through the Network. Capacity building will directly benefit EC professionals at various levels and, in the long run, children as well.
To facilitate the smooth functioning of ARNEC, a Steering Committee (SC) and Secretariat have been established.
Key Planned Activities:
The following activities were identified during the meeting as potential tasks for the following year:
Map key players in ECD/ECCE in Asia with whom the Concept Note can be sharedand through whom membership and interest can be generated.
Prepare a memorandum of understanding between funding organisations willing to provide initial support to the Network (UNICEF, UNESCO, PLAN, SCF) for establishing the initial Secretariat in Bangkok.
Initiate a coordinated review of ECCE sections of EFA Mid-Decade Assessment (MDA) National Reports, with Core Group members supporting the role of the ECCE EFA MDA Technical Support Group.
Complete formalisation of the Asia EC Resource Network, with Secretariat and SC terms of reference revised, with committees and thematic groups formed and their coordinators chosen, and with mechanisms in place for management and administration of the Network.
Disseminate findings of the EC Policy Review.
Establish a website for the Asia EC Resource Network. Prepare modes
for exchanges, for keeping members informed of events and activities in the regions, for sharing reports and documents, and for building awareness among potential partners of the Asia EC Resource Network itself.
Provide input and feedback to EFA MDA ECCE Progress Note for South and East Asia and the Pacific and complete review of ECCE sections of EFA MDA National Reports.
Initiate efforts to secure funding for the future, especially support costs related to shifting the Secretariat to the future house.
Key Events
In February 2008, a series of three Early Childhood events were held in Bangkok:
February 5/08: First meeting of the ARNEC Steering Committee.
February 7/08: The network was launched at the Policy Review Seminar
February 6-8/08: The Third Early Childhood Policy Review Seminar brought together the national research teams from eight countries to present findings and lessons learning from the Review processes. Academics, policy makers, and interested parties joined the proceedings, making this a broader and potentially more interactive event.
February 11-15/08: The First Global Early Learning Development Standards Validation to Implementation Workshop.
The outcomes of these events will be posted soon.
For more information, contact:
Cliff Meyers
UNICEF East Asia and Pacific
Regional Office
E-mail: cmeyers@unicef.org
Anna Smeby
E-mail: asmeby@unicef.org
