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About Voice of The Child
A community initiative launched by ECA to set up a consultative group bringing together some of Abu Dhabi’s parents. It aims to constantly enhance interaction with the community, enable them to gain a better understanding of ECD-related topics, as well as listen to challenges they face, and ensure the voice of every child in Abu Dhabi is heard.
Objective
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
Panel Members
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
Identified Engagements
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
Note: Your Participation in this panel is voluntary.
Area of Our Focus
Child Protection
Secure
- Aware of surroundings and safely participates in community life
Safe From Harm and Danger
- Protected from sexual abuse
- Free from hazards in their physical environment
- Protected from physical abuse, neglect, violence, and exploitation
- Protected from psychological neglect and abuse
Early Care & Education
Sociable
- Aware of social conventions and behaves well with others
- Expresses feelings appropriately
Academic Competence
- Demonstrates emerging logical thinking and problem solving skills
- Uses and consumes technology appropriately and responsibly Performs adequately in math, science, and reading
- Communicates effectively in their native language
Health & Nutrition
Adequately nourished
- Eats nutritious foods by following a healthy diet
Emotionally Secure
- Copes with stress and adversity appropriately
- Treats adults and peers with kindness Positive sense of self
- Feels valued and respected by primary caregivers
- Positive and supportive relationships with peers
Emotionally and Physically Secure
- Adequate fine and gross motor skills and coordination
- Participates regularly in exercise, sports, and active play
Family Support
ValuesOriented
- Respects different cultures, practices and beliefs Strong sense of national pride
- family, friends, and community members with respect
Stable & Secure Home Environment
- Has a place called “home”
- Parents who can provide an adequate standard of living, loving and caring family relationship
- Supportive network of parents and caregivers
- Parents and caregivers who actively nurture their development and well-being
Assessment
Our assessment process is handled by an independent third party to ensure neutrality. A Judging Panel made up of senior officials from leading public institutions is tasked with reviewing the third party’s recommendations on selection.
Parent-friendly
Workplaces in UAE that exceed local requirements and standards.
Parent-friendly
Plus
Workplaces in UAE that meet or exceed global leading policies and practices.
Valid for 2 years, with a check-in meeting at the end of Year 1 with the Assessors.
About Voice of The Child
Objective
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
Panel Members
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
Identified Engagements
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
- Better understand needs and challenges facing Abu Dhabi’s parents, children.
Why is WED needed?
Tackle Pressing Challenges
Children face challenges related to their cultural identity, health and interpersonal relationships. For example, in 2022, 17% of UAE children between 5-17-years old were considered obese, while all Emirati children are being exposed to high air pollution levels over 18 times the WHO guideline value. WED in its second edition aims to create innovative outputs across all these areas.
Tackle Pressing Challenges
Children face challenges related to their cultural identity, health and interpersonal relationships. For example, in 2022, 17% of UAE children between 5-17-years old were considered obese, while all Emirati children are being exposed to high air pollution levels over 18 times the WHO guideline value. WED in its second edition aims to create innovative outputs across all these areas.
Tackle Pressing Challenges
Children face challenges related to their cultural identity, health and interpersonal relationships. For example, in 2022, 17% of UAE children between 5-17-years old were considered obese, while all Emirati children are being exposed to high air pollution levels over 18 times the WHO guideline value. WED in its second edition aims to create innovative outputs across all these areas.
The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) is a government entity, based in Abu Dhabi, that supports holistic early childhood development. We do this by developing policies and laws, informing decision-making through research and transforming behavior.
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