Hanoi (VNA) – A conferenceon integrated early childhood development (IECD) was held in Hanoi on March 6,aiming to increase National Assembly deputies’ awareness of the importance ofIECD and to encourage them to promote IECD in the work of elected bodies.

Delegates at the event noted thatIECD is the shared responsibility of parents, caregivers, families and serviceproviders from various sectors of health, nutrition, education, childprotection and water, environmental sanitation and hygiene.

International research shows thatcognitive ability is markedly affected by childhood circumstances. Children whoexperienced good nutrition, stimulation and supportive and secure environmentsare most likely to reach their full potential.

However, in Vietnam, major gapsremain in supporting the cognitive and emotional development of children,especially for those under 8 years of age, they said.

Many said the importance of investing inearly childhood development has been increasingly recognised by Vietnam, withthe issuance of a Party resolution on enhancing the protection, care and healthfor people in 2017, along with the approval of the Law on Children in 2016.

They also cited the Law on Health Insurance,the Education Law and the Labour Code with contents relating to heath care forchildren, early childhood education and maternity leave for women.

Based on such legal documents, theVietnamese Government is in the process of finalising a national integratedearly childhood development scheme (national IECD scheme) for 2018-2025.

The programme will be led by the Ministry ofLabour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), the leading agency for children’sissues, in coordination with other ministries and agencies.

It aims to ensure all-round development ofchildren aged from 0-8 and their equal access to services, thus contributing tonational human resources development, said Vu Thi Kim Hoa, deputy head of theChild Department under the MoLISA.

Ngo Thi Minh, ViceChairwomen of the National Assembly’s Committee for Culture, Education, Youthand Children, underlined the importance of a national IECD programme.

Effectiveimplementation of the IECD programme will require strong engagement of electedofficials in their oversight function, ensuring the programme is fullyfinanced, well-coordinated and scaled at national level, she said.

Yoshimi Nishino, ActingDeputy Representative of UNICEF Vietnam, said the National Assembly has a vital role in promoting the nationwideimplementation of IECD, bringing together different agencies that play acritical role in the life of a child.

“Afailure to have strong commitment to invest in and implement IECD would come ata great cost with poor learning, slow physical growth, lower wages, higherunemployment and increased dependence on public assistance that weighs downeconomic and social progress for everyone,” hesaid. -VNA