Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer

OCHO RIOS, ST. Ann:

Executive Chairman of the Early Childhood Commission Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughan, is appealing to Jamaicans to place a greater level of importance on matters relating to early childhood development in the country.

According to Professor Samms-Vaugha Jamaica has come a far way in enhancing the process of early childhood development, there is still much work to be done and there must be full support from everyone.

She also sai surveys have shown the importance of early childhood development is getting across to the majority of Jamaicans, the commission will remain relentless in ensuring that everybody gets the message.

Professor Samms-Vaughan was speaking with The Gleaner in Ocho Rios where the Early Childhood Commission was hosting a regional conference on implementing child rights in early childhood.

The conference, held under the theme 'Building The Positive Agenda For Early Childhood', took place on Tuesday and continued through until Thursday at the Sunset Jamaica Grande hotel.

Rights of the child

Professor Samms-Vaughan went on to explain that the purpose of the conference was to educate participants about the rights of the child from birth until eight years old.

"The very young child depends on adults to understand their rights and to help them attain those rights," she said.

Apart from the knowledge gained at the conference, the chairman of the Early Childhood Commission thought other achievements were made.

"We will actually be working on what is called the positive agenda for early childhood, "which means a set of plans and programmes, which ensure children can attain their rights," she said.

Professor Samms-Vaughan went on to add that the impetus for the progamme comes from the United Nations, which has requested countries ensure there is a positive agenda for early childhood.

She said this positive agenda will have the input of parents, early childhood professionals, teachers, social, workers, caregivers, health-care workers and the policymakers who will all come together and decide on how to advance the agenda.

In his message to the conference, head of the UNICEF Jamaica office, Bertrand Bainvel, urged participants to imaginatively strengthen the efforts already being made in several Caribbean countries to promote both the development and participation of young children.