Regional ministers back early childhood action

Ministers of Education and Finance in the region have endorsed the Pacific Call to Action on Childhood Development.

This follows the Ministerial Roundtable meeting at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa yesteray.

It was chaired by the Speaker of Parliament Dr Jiko Luveni.

Vanuatu’s Minister for Education Jean Pierre Nirua thanked the conference which comprised senior government representatives from the Ministries of Finance, Education, Health, Child and Social Protection.

Mr Nirua said the representatives had worked together and alongside development partners to develop the draft of the Pacific Call to Action on Early Childhood Development. “At the roundtable, we deliberated on the many important points raised by the Call to Action and have made some changes and amendments based on our assessments of the Pacific regional context and our own national contexts.”

“As we depart from this conference and return to our respective countries and ministries, this Pacific Call to Action on Early Childhood Development will serve as the critical document that will inspire, embolden and guide all of us in improving the services we provide for young children and their families and increasing our investments in ECD.” “As the children have called out in a video by UNICEF, they need action now.”

“Let us stand by the concrete commitments we have pledged at this conference and together ensure that the youngest citizens of the Pacific region have the best start in life so that they can go on to have productive, fulfilled lives and in doing so, also ensure that our nations secure equitable, inclusive and sustainable prosperity.

At the roundtable, we deliberated on the many important points raised by the Call to Action and have made some changes and amendments based on our assessment of the Pacific regional context and our own national contexts. Jean Pierre Nirua Vanuatu’s Minister for Education