Bangkok: In a strong show of support for the Act for Early Years Campaign, 39 members from the Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood (ARNEC) signed the ‘Minifesto’ and committed to help ensure that every child has the best possible start in life. 

The signing took place during ARNEC’s strategy development workshop held in Bangkok from May 6–7. ARNEC members, representing diverse organisations, convened from across the region to help shape its next five-year strategy. 

The Act For Early Years ‘Minifesto’ is a small document with a big ambition. It sets out three essential asks:

• Universal access to quality primary healthcare

• Universal family support

• Universal access to quality preschool education

Act For Early Years is a global campaign dedicated to ensuring that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and preschool education – vital for school readiness and lifelong well-being. The camp aign has three main objectives: (1) mobilize at least $1 billion in new funding commitments; (2) increase political prioritisation to ensure the early years become a priority across domestic agendas, regional initiatives and global processes such as the G20; and (3) ensure the early years become a priority in the global development agenda and new SDGs. 

ARNEC is a part of the Campaign through its High-Level Advisory Board, and is helping amplify the Campaign and its goals in the Asia-Pacific Region. 

Find more about the Act for Early Years Campaign here: www.actforearlyyears.org