24 September 2025

The General Coordinator of the Arab Network for Early Childhood (ANECD), Dr. Ghassan Issa, met with the Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs and President of the Higher Council for Childhood, Hanine El-Sayed. The two parties agreed to renew the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2023, along with its attached cooperation program, with the official signing scheduled for a later date.

The previous memorandum had provided an important framework for collaboration, resulting in significant achievements in the areas of early childhood care, development, protection, and education in Lebanon. The renewal reaffirms both parties’ commitment to expanding the scope of work to include all children in early childhood across Lebanese territory, with particular attention to children with disabilities, children with behavioral disorders, children at risk, unregistered children, and street children.

Under the new agreement, the two parties will cooperate in generating knowledge, developing and providing guidance on the latest research in the field of early childhood, preparing evidence-based policies for the benefit of this vital stage, conducting joint scientific research, and organizing specialized seminars and conferences, in addition to advocacy efforts—all within the framework of active partnership and exchange of expertise.