Keynote Speech by Ted Maly, UNCEF Representative, at the Early Childhood Development Scientific Conference

I am honoured to be part of this significant event today as we mark the first International Conference on Early Childhood Development in Rwanda.

This conference cannot come at a better time. On June 1st, we celebrated the International Day of Parents, and on June 16th we celebrate the Day of the African Child. This conference also falls during UNICEF’s first Parenting Month campaign, advocating for governments and businesses to support parents to spend more time with their children to support their development.

Here in Rwanda, clear vision, clear priorities, passion, and big thinking have led to unprecedented transformation in early childhood development.

The Government has demonstrated its commitment through important policy reforms and the development of minimum standards. It has effectively modelled ECD services and ensured that ECD is at the core of its development goals. I am extremely proud that UNICEF has been part of this journey.

We would like to pay particular tribute to H.E President Paul Kagame and H.E. Mme Jeannette Kagame whose visions and actions have led the foundation for ECD development in Rwanda.

For many of us in the room today, investing in the early years of a child’s life is both a priority and a passion.

We know that over 80 per cent of a child’s brain is developed before the age of 3. We know that a young brain creates over 1 million new connections per second. During this critical time, the foundation for life is laid down.

When children have the best possible start in life, they are much more likely to grow up to reach their full potential. Getting the best start means that a child is healthy, vaccinated, well-nourished, and in a loving family environment. It also means that a child has parents who sing to them, read to them, who give them love and affection, and keep them safe.

And here I would like to highlight the vital role of fathers. Children with a loving and responsive father figure benefit beyond measure. I can say for myself that being a father is the opportunity of a lifetime, experiencing first-hand what it means to provide a nurturing environment for a child.

We know that the benefits of early childhood programmes are not limited to the individual. Evidence shows that investment in early years is a cornerstone of human capital and it contributes significantly to sustainable economic and social development. 

Children with a strong foundation are more likely to enrol, participate and complete primary school, and they are more likely to be productive citizens in adult life.

I would like to reaffirm our commitment today to accelerating ECD efforts for every child and family.

We are united under a common goal: to provide all children in Rwanda the best start in life.

In 2017, Rwanda developed a new 30-year vision. It is driven by a well calibrated and well-managed public investment programme.

Rwanda has set ambitious goals to become an upper-middle income country by 2035 and a high-income country by 2050. The Government is committed to providing high quality livelihoods and living standards for its citizens by mid-century, and development partners are here to support that effort.

I am pleased that Rwanda is one of the early adopters of the human capital investment programme. To realise its goals and aspirations, Rwanda will need young men and women who can rise to the challenge. We need to start early, investing in the children of today, who will become the men and women who will lead the country tomorrow. ECD provides the avenue for this investment.

I would like to conclude with a reminder that everyone has a role to play to advance ECD.

There are many exciting initiatives in Rwanda that support ECD. They are generating positive evidence and are ready for scale up. To do this, we need the continued commitment of local authorities, we need ECD in district development budgets and imihigo, and we need strong social mobilisation by religious leaders, the private sector, parent forums and community organisations.

I know you share this vision. I would like to wish you all a successful conference.

UNICEF looks forward to working with you to ensure that every child in Rwanda has the absolute best possible start in life.  

Thank you very much.