SEAMEO CECCEP hosted prestigious events, the 6th Governing Board Meeting (GBM) and Annual Early Childhood Education and Parenting Regional Forum on holistic integrated ECCE and a Follow Up Plan for ASEAN Declaration on ECCE. This event took place on October 10-11, 2023 at Swiss-Belhotel Rainforest, Bali. This event was attended by 11 influential Governing Board (GB) members. Participants who have attended in person include Ms. Komalasari, M.Pd (GB from Indonesia), Mr. Park Kosal (GB from Cambodia), Ms. Shiphaphone Manivanh (GB Lao PDR), Ms. Alma Ruby C Torio (GB Philippines), Ms. Wongdusn Suwansiri (GB Thailand), Mr. Oman as a representative of Malaysia and Dr. Kamaleswaran Jayarajah representative of SEAMEO Secretariat.
In her speech Prof. Vina Adriany, Director of SEAMEO CECCEP said that the 6th GBM is an opportunity for SEAMEO CECCEP to provide a comprehensive report on the programs that have been carried out during the last year 2022/2023. Moreover, this meeting served as a platform to propose future initiatives and ideas related to Early Childhood Education (ECE) and childcare in the Southeast Asian region. This activity also showcased SEAMEO CECCEP's achievements in the past year.
Prof. Vina highlighted the close cooperation between SEAMEO CECCEP and various partners namely with universities, local governments, NGOs and other stakeholders. This cooperation is considered crucial in implementing SEAMEO CECCEP programs. Prof. Vina emphasized that the best practices resulting from the cooperation can be a solid foundation for further development and implementation in the future. These best achievements are expected to serve as inspiring examples for the expansion and improvement of early childhood education initiatives in the region.
Dr. Kamaleswaran Jayarajah, representative of SEAMEO Secretariat, sincerely expressed his appreciation for this remarkable momentum. The success of the intensive collaboration between SEAMEO and the ASEAN Secretariat, reflected in the organization of the Southeast Asia Policy Dialogue on Early Childhood Care and Education (SEAPD on ECCE) in July 2023, is a clear evidence of our shared commitment in advancing early childhood education in the region. This success not only reflects solid cooperation, but also creates a solid foundation for future innovations and improvements in education quality.
It is hoped that this meeting will result in substantial contributions to the growth of early childhood education and childcare in Southeast Asia. Our ultimate goal, as outlined in our program, remains the achievement of universal early childhood education and care. This is a task that demands our collective dedication and action, and we are committed to realizing this goal together, said Vina.
Governing Board Member from Indonesia, Ms Komalasari, M.Pd as well as the representative of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology said that this meeting can provide a wonderful opportunity for members from across the region to collaborate and contribute their thoughts and energy to advance quality early childhood education in Southeast Asia. Each representative member is expected to bring a strong commitment and make valuable contributions to achieve this common goal.
The Governing Board is the core of decision-making in directing SEAMEO CECCEP's efforts in research, capacity building, advocacy, and partnerships focusing on early childhood education and parenting. Ms Komalasari, M.Pd also expressed appreciation to GB representatives who have supported the Southeast Asian Policy Dialogue on ECCE activities in Jakarta to produce the Southeast Asian Leaders Declaration on Early Childhood Care and Education. This important moment is considered a major step to foster harmony between the SEAMEO Secretariat and the ASEAN Secretariat, affirming the Indonesian government's commitment in promoting early childhood care and education.
Prof. Vina expressed her gratitude to all parties involved, including partners and participants, for their dedication in advancing early childhood education in the Southeast Asian region. The meeting closed with renewed vigor to create a positive and sustainable impact on Education in the region.
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