Agreement inked to launch 2nd phase of early childhood development project
Agreement inked to launch 2nd phase of early childhood ... Jordan Times
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Organisations Sign MoU to Advance Early Childhood Development in Jordan
A number of organisations concerned with early childhood development in Jordan signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday, launching the second phase of the First Steps’ Big Step project.
Participating Organisations
- Plan International Jordan (PIJO)
- National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA)
- Royal Health Awareness Society (RHAS)
- Humanity and Inclusion
- Health Care Accreditation Council (HCAC)
The core objectives of the First Steps’ Big Step project include streamlining and enhancing health services available to children, empowering providers of childcare services, and unifying early childhood development programs, according to NCFA.
During the event, NCFA Secretary-General Mohammad Miqdadi noted that “investments in early childhood are investments in Jordan’s future”. He also emphasized the council’s commitment to a strategy based on “partnerships and coordination” to realize the goals of the project.
Miqdadi highlighted that the National Early Childhood Development Team, established in 2018, is the result of the NCFA’s partnership with PIJO. He explained that the second phase of the project will implement training programs to empower individuals dealing with cases of violence in health centers, with a focus on child protection.
“The launch of an electronic gateway and a comprehensive database is also on the horizon, offering a bird’s-eye view of the developing state of early childhood in Jordan,” added Miqdadi.
PIJO Country Director Hamida Jahamah emphasized the collaborative efforts undertaken to safeguard children’s best interests during the project’s first stage. These include implementing an integrated cooperation framework with the Ministry of Health and the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), backed by the Bernard van Leer Foundation, which funds the First Steps’ Big Step project.
Jahamah added that the project follows an evidence-based approach to ensure its sustainability in meeting the developmental needs of children in Jordan.
Amal Ireifij, Director of Programs at RHAS, stated that RHAS firmly believes in the “monumental” importance of early childhood development to the overall well-being of both children and their families. She added that a lifecycle approach forms the backbone of RHAS’ intervention strategy, which is committed to nurturing a healthy and safe generation.
Salma Jaouni, CEO of HCAC, highlighted the pivotal role of comprehensive, accredited services and reiterated its commitment to working hand-in-hand with partner organizations. HCAC’s work will focus on evaluating and enhancing current services at the primary level, developing a robust set of standards for early childhood development, and establishing a national recognition system within the Jordanian Ministry of Health’s network of care centers.
Virginie Dattler, Jordan Country Manager of Humanity & Inclusion, said that the MoU “embodied organizations’ shared dedication to championing the rights of children to comprehensive care, quality services, and a life free from discrimination.
According to the organizations party to the MoU, the achievements of the first phase of the project, which ran from 2021 to 2022, include the comprehensive report on the status of early childhood in Jordan, the establishment of an early childhood development indicators document, and the launch of a database featuring early childhood programs and services from relevant governmental and international institutions.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 4: Quality Education.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
- SDG 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age
- SDG 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
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Source: jordantimes.com
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