10 November 2025  

The Arab Network for Early Childhood Development (ANECD) has joined the “Minifesto” launched by the Act for Early Years campaign of the organization Theirworld.

The Minifesto aims to draw the attention of world leaders and urge them to take urgent action on early childhood development, and to make significant investments in a sector that has long suffered from declining funding and limited attention. The statement calls on global leaders to ensure universal, high-quality healthcare for young children from pregnancy through early childhood, to provide universal and high-quality preschool education, and to offer comprehensive support for families—including affordable, high-quality childcare services, child allowances, and support for parents and caregivers.

The campaign chose the small size as “a symbolic response to the mountain of lengthy papers and policies that usually overwhelm international meetings and discussions”.

Global Call to Invest in the Early Years

At the flagship UNGA event, “Unlocking the Future: A Global Call to Invest in the Early Years”, political leaders and partner organizations came together in a powerful display of unity and commitment to financing early childhood development. Co-organized with UNICEF, the event reaffirmed the growing international consensus that large-scale, sustainable financing for early childhood is both achievable and essential.

Support came from a range of political champions — including the UAE, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Ukraine, Brazil, and Oman — highlighting strong global backing for the early years agenda.

Key Resources and Initiatives

During UN Week, several important resources were released, including The Case for the Summit, a foundational publication co-developed with campaign members. The Smart Buys for Early Childhood Development (ECD) initiative, led by Elizabeth King and launched earlier this year at the World Bank Spring Meetings, also continues to identify cost-effective, evidence-based investments for young children.

Additional recent publications include:

• Generation Debt: From Crisis to Opportunity for Africa’s Youngest Children
• All Means All: A Call for Disability-Inclusive Early Years Financing
• Bana Pele to Global Leadership: South Africa’s Opportunity to Champion the Early Years.

Next Steps and Global Engagement

As the campaign enters its next phase, partners are preparing for a Q4 Strategy Call to align on the shared roadmap toward 2027. Planning is also underway with ECDAN, Brookings, and the Roger Federer Foundation for a G20 Social Summit side event in South Africa in collaboration with the Children20 Engagement Group.

To reinforce shared ownership, Act for Early Years has launched a dedicated website and social media presence, independent from Theirworld branding.