Investing in Early Childhood Development as an imperative for every society
The National Conference on Early Development, organized with the support of UNICEF and the University of Donja Gorica, gathered a number of international and local experts, key decision-makers
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The National Conference on Early Development, organized with the support of UNICEF and the University of Donja Gorica, gathered a number of international and local experts, key decision-makers, as well as the representatives of academia, the civic and private sectors, and the international community.
PODGORICA, 22 OCTOBER 2019 – Investing in early childhood development is an imperative in developmental, economic and social terms. This is a key message sent from the National Conference on Early Childhood Development, organized with the support of UNICEF and the University of Donja Gorica.
There is no dilemma that, by investing in the first steps of our children, we ensure the long-term and sustainable development of a society built on solid foundations.
The Prime Minister stressed that, in the forthcoming period, the Government would continue to provide active support for the implementation of policies aimed at achieving equality, inclusion and protection of the most vulnerable categories.
It is of utmost importance for the future of our society that we understand the need for multiple investments in early childhood development. The benefits of our present work, especially economic growth and the overall stability of Montenegrin society, will be felt by our youngest population.
UNICEF’s Deputy Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Dr. Phillipe Cori, stressed that investing in early childhood development yielded multiple returns and that it was the responsibility of all actors in society.
The benefits are reflected in better education and health outcomes, lower crime rates and higher earnings for individuals. On the other hand, when there is no investment in early childhood development programmes, countries can lose up to two times the amount of the current spending on health and education.
He said that Montenegro should be proud of the low infant mortality rates, the significant decrease in the number of children in institutionalized forms of care, and the remarkable increase in enrolment in preschool education. At the same time, Cori outlined some of the challenges to be overcome.
It is worrying to see that two-thirds of children in Montenegro aged 1–14 years are exposed to physical and/or psychological aggression by their caregivers. Only one in four babies are breastfed during the first hour after birth, and only one in five women exclusively breastfeed during the first six months of their baby's life. Those numbers should not be so low when we know that breastfeeding provides the best start to life.
Prof. Dr. Veselin Vukotić, Rector of the University of Donja Gorica (UDG), said that the first six years of life represent a period when the history of each person's future is made.
Our lives, our characters are nothing but a reflection of the traits and affinities we have acquired during the first years of our lives. The dreams of babies represent a life agenda for each of us. That is why we need to understand that healthy dreams in childhood lead to the building of a healthy society. It is the health of society that is a much more important effect of investing in the lives of children up to six years of age compared to all the other economic effects such investment may have.
The Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro, Aivo Orav, emphasized that investment in early childhood development was Montenegro's strategic priority on its road to the EU.
Montenegro has been making progress in addressing children’s needs in different areas, including education, social inclusion and protection, and health. Addressing these challenges requires a cross-cutting and multi-sector response, ensuring a long-term, coherent and sustainable approach and results.
Frank Oberklaid, an international expert and professor of paediatrics at the University of Melbourne in Australia, was the first to present at the conference, trying to explain the concept of early childhood development, which makes it important for every society, as well as why we need to invest in early childhood development.
If everything goes well during the first years of life, if brain development is optimal, then there is a good chance that a person will grow into a healthy, productive adult, but the opposite is also true.
By exploring evidence and good practice from around the world, this two-day conference, held in the premises of the University of Donja Gorica, will recommend concrete, innovative and cost-effective policies and programmatic measures that governments can take to ensure long-term economic growth and the exercise of rights by all children. The conference aims to influence the ongoing economic and public administration reform processes and to foster regional cooperation.
