CHILE, 31 March 2006 - Yesterday President Michelle Bachelet announced the creation of a Technical Advisory Council to reform the government’s early childhood policies. The Council, integrated by 14 members including UNICEF, is part of President Bachelet’s goal to implement a new social welfare system. The Council will announce its proposal this coming June 30, following a highly collaborative, participatory process. "I have given the Council specific instructions to facilitate a widespread process of citizen participation throughout the development of its proposals," President Bachelet stated.
An Inter-Ministerial Committee made up of representatives from the Planning, Education, Health, Labor, Finance, Women’s Affairs and Presidency Ministries will monitor and support the development of the proposal.
The President was joined for the event by Interior Minister Andrés Zaldívar, Presidency Minister Paulina Veloso, Finance Minister Andrés Velasco, Planning Minister Clarisa Hardy and Women’s Affairs Minister Laura Albornoz and members of the Congress.
During the act Bachelet explained that "my goal, by the end of my administration, is to implement a system to protect children, in order to offer all Chilean children an equal chance to develop during the first eight years of their lives, whatever their social origin, gender, place of birth or family situation."
For more information, please contact:
Francisca Palma
Oficial de Comunicaciones- Communications Officer
UNICEF SANTIAGO-CHILE
Telephone: (56)-2 422-8800
Fax: (56)-2 422-8888
E-mail: fpalma@unicef.org