Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week Kicks Off

Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week kicked off on Oct. 29 in Abu Dhabi with the ECD Research Convening, an interactive event to inspire researchers and encourage teamwork and new ideas.

Over 90 researchers from the UAE, the Arab region and Africa joined to discuss challenges and find ways to create a more inclusive approach to early childhood development (ECD) science.

Sana Mohammad Suhail, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), emphasized that Abu Dhabi has led programs to support children in their early years over the last five years. The Authority has worked closely with partners using new and creative methods to achieve this goal.

"From the outset, research and knowledge production have been essential pillars of our journey. When we developed Abu Dhabi's Early Childhood Development Strategy, we recognized that while researchers benefit from some remarkable enablers, they also face significant obstacles, leading to a scarcity of published scientific studies," Suhail was quoted as saying by WAM.

"Many of these challenges are common across the early childhood development sector, with only 3% of research coming from our region," she added.

She further said that the WED Movement brings together leading experts from around the world to create solutions that improve children's lives and establish new trends in early childhood development in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, and beyond.

The goal is to reshape early childhood development, focusing first on the child and then on the wider community. She emphasized the commitment to ensuring that every child gets the best start in life, beginning with an understanding of the challenges they face.

The organization is dedicated to supporting all researchers and institutions that align with the mission of recognizing the importance of sharing knowledge and conducting research that impacts decision-makers, policies and global audiences.

The WED Urban Thrive Report, created in partnership with Aldar Properties as the Headline Partner, along with the WED Movement Innovation and Outputs Report, offers recommendations for ECD.

The report addresses the challenges young children face in urban areas, such as limited access to essential services, outdoor play spaces, and safe ways to move around. It suggests a strategic plan to help cities and emirates like Abu Dhabi, prioritize the well-being of their youngest residents and set a global example for family-friendly urban development.

Meanwhile, recognizing that innovation is crucial for creating effective solutions that adapt to the changing needs of children and families, the WED Movement Innovation and Outputs Report identifies key challenges in ECD in Abu Dhabi.

These challenges include limited access to outdoor play and nature, as well as a need to strengthen ties to cultural heritage. The report shares important insights about the WED innovation process and emphasizes how WED aims to make a significant impact on young children by focusing on child-centered innovation.