National Conference on Child Development
The Ministries of Education, Health, Justice and Social Solidarity and UNICEF organized a National Conference on Child Development during two days, from September 15 to 16, in the Main Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Díli.
This conference aimed to share information and experiences from the relevant ministries with the development partners, to promote Children’s Rights in Timor-Leste, to review their status and to explore new ideas and opportunities with the purpose of working together with partners in this development area.
The Minister of Education, João Câncio Freitas, in the opening speech of the conference, said: "The Government, represented by the Ministry of Education, recognizes and promotes children’s rights in Timor-Leste and continues to develop children’s knowledge regarding health, education and life in a healthy environment".
The Minister also highlight that "the Government has a plan to develop the Education area and through this ministry, has created the Basic Education Law to develop the best level of education for the children in Timor-Leste".
On the same occasion, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Good Governance, Development and Humanitarian Coordination of UNMIT, Finn Reske-Nielsen, said that "child development, specifically on Children’s Rights in physical, cognitive, social development and the formation of character, has started from birth until entry into primary school. "
Finn Reske-Nielsen further noted that "by supporting the rights of children in a critical moment like childhood, we help prevent personal, social and educational difficulties that they face during the period from childhood to adolescence. To nurture and develop them, we need to take into account needs such as health, nutrition, education, sanitation, protection and their happiness".
This conference was attended by the Minister of Education, João Câncio Freitas, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Good Governance, Development and Humanitarian Coordination of UNMIT, Finn Reske-Nielsen, the Goodwill and Education Ambassador and Director of Alola Foundation, Kristy Sword Gusmão, representatives of UNICEF and the ChildFund organization.
