Early Childhood Development in Lebanon: Towards a National Strategy

1. Early Childhood Development in Lebanon: Towards a National Strategy May A. Ajram Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

2. Background • ECCD portfolio in Lebanon is taken care of by different community actors, ministries (health and Education), NGOs and the Higher Council for Childhood (HCC) under the Ministry of Social Affairs. • Although there are a lot of initiatives in the country, they are not contextualized nor integrated under a proper framework. • There is a big need to scale up some important success stories and launch a series of workshops that can provide us with baseline data and indicators. • As Global Leaders, ECCD situation requires that we raise up high the advocacy on the ECCD issues with a champion in order to make the ECCD on the national agenda. Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

3. Objective • The goal we want to achieve is to push the ECCD forefront on the table of priority issues in the national policies of Lebanon for the importance it has on all the other sectors in the country. Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

4. Outputs • 6 preparatory meetings • 6meetings with committees • National workshop • 6 Review and feedback meetings • Report: The Early Childhood Development, towards a National Strategy • Draft Framework of National ECD strategy: Completed and finalized Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

5. Planning meetings Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

6. Initial steps • Identify partners (Governmental Involvement) • Identify national champion • Form the core committee (Global Leaders, HCC) Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

7. Core Committee Meeting Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

8. Pillars of action • ECCD Strategy Framework • Raise advocacy on ECCD • Network with key players Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

9. Implementation phases • Assist in drafting the framework for the ECD Strategy • Consult with all committees of the HCC: • Prepare and write the first draft • Convene a National workshop • Include all comments and recommendations and prepare second draft • ECCD committee for validation • Core committee to finalize • Identify, meet and sympathize a champion • Launching in press conference Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

10. Action plan Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

11. Action Plan Cont’d Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

12. Protection Committee Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

13. Action Plan Cont’d Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

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16. National Workshop Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

17. Early Childhood Development: Towards a National StrategyA National WorkshopMarch 9, 2010 Objectives: • The specific objectives of this one day workshop are: • To orient participants about the holistic and integrated approach to ECD • To present and discuss the draft results of the preparatory meetings • To draft the framework for ECD strategy in Lebanon • Agenda • 9.00 – 10:45 - Registration and welcoming • Why this workshop Dr Mariam Ibrahim • Global Leader: A Message of Peace May A. Ajram • What and Why is ECCD Abeer A. zaki • Presentation of the report finding Rana Ismail • Address from the minister of social affairs Dr. Salim El Sayegh • 10.45 – 11.00 - Refreshments/ Break Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

18. 11.00 – 1.00 - Working Groups: • Media George Chahine • Advocacy Amina Berri • Programmes and Services directed to the child Dr. Bernard Jerbekah • Programmes and Services directed to parents and care givers Dr. Amal Mansour • Legislation and laws Dr. Alice Keyrouz • 1.00 – 2.00 - Lunch Break • 2.00 – 3.30 - Group work presentation Dr. Elie Mekhayel Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

19. Action Plan Cont’d Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

20. Strengths • Global Leader ID • National global leaders team • The input and the collaboration of the HCC • The commitment of the Minister of Social Affairs • Build on previous efforts – not start from the scratch • Use all possible resources and connections Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

21. Challenges • Time and effort involved • Collective approach Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

22. Advocating for Global Leaders • Global Leader ppp in Regional Conference November 2009 • Global Leader announcement in all committees meetings attended • Global Leader ppp in Regional Workshop March 2010 • HCC announcement on Word Forum 2011 to all ECD committee members in May and a reminder in June • Global Leaders in newsletter Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

23. Advocacy and Leadership • Cater for your audience (adv) • Seize opportunities (adv) • Be flexible and accommodate for change (adv) • Have convincing tools (adv) • Involve as many people as you can (leader) • Delegate responsibilities • Be ready to do the job Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

24. Conclusion • Advocacy is an ongoing process which requires different skills according to different situations and audience • Advocacy for ECCD in Lebanon is young and the journey is still long • Keeping the momentum among different team members will be a challenge. Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

25. Overwhelming… but not impossible because: The most important cause to support is the cause of children and the most valuable investment to make is investing in their future. Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

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27. The great Gebran Khalil Gebran in his book “The Prophet” said: Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

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29. “Your children are not your children,They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.” Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

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31. So that they might have life and that they might have the future! Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010

32. Thank you Reggio Emilia, Italy, September, 2010