Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA – First National Forum for Early Childhood started on Sunday under the title of “Reality and Repercussions” to discuss drawing up policies to protect childhood in Syria against the bad impacts of the ongoing crisis in the country.
The event, held at al-Asaad National Library in Damascus, was organized by the Ministry of Education and the Regional Office for Early Childhood Development.
Over two days, the participants will discuss the situation of early childhood in Syria before and during the crisis, that has been dragging on since 2011, and setting up future plans to protect the Syrian child’s future.
“Childhood has fallen victim to a distorted culture that has stripped it of its meaning” Minister of Education Hazwan al-Waz said in a speech, referring to the extremist takfiri and terrorist mentality that has permeated the region.
He noted that the first target of the terrorism ravaging Syria is the will of the Syrian people, stressing that the Syrian children have already sent a clear message to the world saying that they are not afraid of the terrorism that has targeted them in their schools.
For her part, Minister of Social Affairs Kinda al-Shammat pointed out that women and children are key priority being the hardest hit by the effects of the crisis, noting that a file for protection of women and children will soon be announced on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Chairperson of the Regional Office of Early Childhood Development in Damascus Kifah Hadad said the forum will work on unifying the efforts of all bodies to support childhood and upgrade early childhood situation in Syria through gathering data and suggesting recommendations to the effect of developing programs to achieve that end.
Manar al-Frieh/Haifa Said
