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Under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority's WED Movement Engages Global Experts to Drive Innovation, Excellence in Early Childhood Development

ABU DHABI, UAE, Aug. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

Abu Dhabi's World Early Childhood Development Movement (WED Movement) has

launched a new initiative bringing together global experts to develop

innovative and actionable solutions advancing Abu Dhabi's vision to be a leader

in Early Childhood Development.

WED Movement was established earlier this year under the patronage of His

Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi

Crown Prince Court and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority

(ECA). Under ECA, WED Movement is harnessing the expertise of a

multidisciplinary group of 21 early child development experts representing a

mix of academics, healthcare practitioners, policy influencers, children's

media and entertainment specialists, global business leaders and technical

consultants. The experts come from several world-renowned institutions such as

UNICEF, World Bank, UNESCO and Harvard University, as well as a number of

global companies in technology and entertainment.

Participants are working in one of three Breakthrough Working Groups (BWGs),

each focused on a unique and important aspect of how children's mental,

physical and cognitive abilities develop in the earliest years of life, from

pregnancy to 8 years old. The BWGs are focused on Emotional Wellbeing & Social

Interaction, Tech Humanity for Children, and 21st Century Lifestyle.

To date the BWGs have held nearly 100 strategic planning sessions and met with

more than 65 parents, children, teachers and ECD experts in the UAE as part of

their work towards creation of a series of innovative solutions that promote

the holistic healthy development of Abu Dhabi's young children. These solutions

will also help parents and caregivers address some of the most common

challenges faced during the earliest years of child growth and development.

Outcomes from these sessions include policy recommendations, creation of

specific programs and initiatives, development of products, as well as

guidelines to address the identified issues.

Team members are coordinating directly with a range of government and social

service entities, including Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development, Abu

Dhabi Department of Health, Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge and

Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination. They also have

commissioned independent research on such issues as child screen time,

technology use in the home, play time and social interaction.  

WED Movement and the work of the BWGs reflects Abu Dhabi's commitment to

deliver on its vision to invest in breakthrough innovation in early childhood

development with the goal of nurturing a generation of conscious youth who have

the knowledge and skills to adapt to rapidly changing societal challenges and

contribute to building a better society. The BWGs aim to play a significant

role driving the level of innovation needed while helping establish Abu Dhabi

as a global role model for and contributor to excellence in early childhood

development.

The BWGs work under the guidance of Cecilia Vaca Jones, Executive Director of

the Bernard van Leer Foundation, and Chair of the BWG, alongside His Excellency

Omar Saif Ghobash, Assistant Minister for Cultural Affairs at the UAE Ministry

of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC), and Co-Chair of the

BWG.

Chair Cecilia Vaca-Jones said: "This Breakthrough Working Group approach

enables us to tap into a global collection of world-class early childhood

development experts with a single mission and focus: helping Abu Dhabi create

the best possible environment to give our children the opportunity in life each

and every one deserves. And these new programs, policies and initiatives that

we pioneer here at home can become models for early childhood development that

are adopted in nations around the world."

The BWGs are currently researching and assessing issues as well as exploring

potential solutions related to the following themes:

- Emotional Wellbeing and Social Interaction: Creating an ecosystem that can

help reduce emotional strains on children, parents and caregivers while

promoting continuous interactions with children that help them establish

important social interaction skills at early ages.

- Tech Humanity for Children: Looking at how to ensure that children are ready

for the rapidly growing level of technology in their lives and are well aware

of and protected from risks in order to best reap the many benefits these new

technologies offer.

- 21st Century Lifestyle: Fostering an Abu Dhabi-wide environment that promotes

a better lifestyle at home, in school and across the community and facilitates

positive physical and mental health of children.

Co-Chair H.E. Omar Saif Ghobash said: "These themes represent both challenges

and opportunities for fostering early childhood development not only in Abu

Dhabi but across the UAE and worldwide. Through this team of experts and the

BWG approach, we will look to generate recommended programs, policies and

initiatives that can have a positive impact across the early childhood

development ecosystem on behalf of our children, including parents and

caregivers, academia, government policymakers, social support groups and the

private sector."

Dr. Nikki Martyn, Program Head of Early Childhood Studies at the University of

Guelph-Humber and a member of the one of the BWGs said: "Being a part of WED

Movement is a truly unique opportunity to take the learnings and experiences of

early childhood development experts from around the world and develop

initiatives and recommendations that can quickly be put in place to directly

benefit the children of Abu Dhabi. Over the longer term, we hope to see the

outcomes of WED Movement work benefitting children around the world."

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SOURCE: Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority