17 Juillet 2020

On 15th of July, RTE participated in a webinar organised by UNESCO on ‘Ensuring quality of learning and well-being for young children in the context of COVID-19’ and contributed with a short statement made during the roundtable, highlighting the human rights dimension of early childhood care and education (ECCE). This topic is one of the areas of focus in RTE’s strategy for 2020-2022.

Several ministers and partners around the world participated sharing their experience and expertise. Get more information on the page of the event where you can also watch the video of the webinar.

UNESCO ADG/Education, Stefania Giannini, and the Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands emphasised the need to reinforce collaboration and work together on a global strategy for ECCE. UNESCO indicated that this agenda could include mobilizing researchers for more evidence on emerging issues, strengthening capacity for teachers, families and caregivers as well empowering stakeholders with powerful tools and guidance. UNESCO also highlighted that we need to keep the momentum going to ensure ECCE is well placed in the national resilience plans to face the crisis.

As proposed by the Princess Laurentien during the webinar, UNESCO will be convening an innovative dialogue to reflect on common actions.