Experts from 20 countries gather to support early childhood
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More than 200 professionals will share experiences and lessons learned during the
Early Childhood Development Symposium “Foundations for our Future”.
The Symposium will offer a space for dialogue to analyze the situation of early
childhood development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Mexico City, December 5, 2016.- With the participation of Dr. José Narro Robles, Secretary of
Health of Mexico; Carlos Salazar Lomelín, CEO of FEMSA; Dr. Héctor Salazar, Manager of the
Social Sector at the Inter-American Development Bank and María Josefina Menéndez, Director
of Save the Children Mexico, started the Early Childhood Development Symposium
"Foundations for the Future".
More than 200 participants from 20 countries of Latin America, the Caribbean, and the world
will meet for two days to look for synergies related to early childhood (0 to 5 years), given that
it plays a key role in the development of people and their path in the future.
"Latin America and the Caribbean represent one of the regions of the world with the greatest
possibilities, but a region with great inequality too," said Dr. José Narro Robles, Secretary of
Health of Mexico, during the inauguration. "I celebrate every time we have a regional approach
to summon countries that have many things in common. Only by using the knowledge, science,
technology, and culture to have concrete actions for the benefit of the community, we will be
able to advance," he added.
Organized by the Inter-American Development Bank, FEMSA Foundation, and Save the
Children Mexico, with the Ministry of Health and Televisa Foundation as co-conveners, and in
collaboration with Un Kilo de Ayuda, the Symposium will offer a space for dialogue to share
experiences among international specialists on child development.
"Our countries are demanding the wellness and integral child development that will increase
the chances of success in student and professional life in the future. We at the IDB join the
efforts of the public, private, and academic sectors to respond with innovative and sustainable
solutions for the development of children in Mexico and throughout our region,” said Héctor
Salazar, Manager of Social Sector at the Inter-American Development Bank.
During the forum, participants will discuss the progress of the early childhood development
sector in the region, but also the challenges that lie ahead.
"We have great potential in Latin America. In order to take advantage of it, we must invest in
the development of our people,” explained Carlos Salazar Lomelín, CEO of FEMSA. "Science
demonstrates that early childhood is a crucial time to develop the individual’s full potential
and contribute to a more productive and inclusive society," he added.
"Latin America is a region with high levels of social and economic inequality. The Symposium
represents a great opportunity for the private sector, civil society, academy, and government
to work together to close these gaps by providing special attention and resources to early
childhood development, "said María Josefina Menéndez, CEO of Save the Children in Mexico.
Although much of early childhood projects focus on building physical infrastructure to achieve
sustainability, it is essential to teach skills among adults that spend time with the children.
In the words of Alicia Lebrija, Executive President of Televisa Foundation, "neuroscience tells
us that it is precisely in this period of life that the brain allows us to shape physically,
emotionally, and intellectually the future of the Mexicans we expect. There is no better time to
develop the potential of people than the first years of life."
During the inauguration of the event, she reiterated her commitment to the "Start Early"
initiative, not only to raise awareness on the importance of early childhood, but also to provide
tools that can help particularly parents to understand the importance of their interactions with
their children. "Every moment counts and each period of coexistence that you have with the
baby, represents an opportunity to promote its full potential."
Although great advances have been made in recent years, many children still suffer from
deficiencies in critical areas such as language development and cognitive skills. Spaces like this
Symposium allow joint progress between sectors and countries to find effective solutions in
the region.
From December 5 to 6, the Early Childhood Development Symposium “Foundations for our
Future” will carry out more than 10 panels and lectures addressing issues related to early
childhood, from the challenges presented while working with families, collaboration among
sectors, evaluation of early childhood development initiatives, and innovation in the sector.
For more information:
Alma Beltrán
Hanako Taniguchi
Oscar Martínez
Tel. +52 (81) 8318-1863
[email protected]
www.femsa.com