The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, ECA, has launched the first wave of Child Protection Specialist Training Programme in Abu Dhabi, in partnership with Georgetown University, one of the leading entities in early childhood development, ECD, science and studies worldwide.

Under the follow-up of H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court and Chairman of ECA, the programme aims at enabling 100 Emirati practitioners within the social support sectors, to develop their skills in child protection and welfare, receive child protection specialist certification, and obtain the status of judicial officers from Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, ADJD.

Child Protection Specialist Training Programme is part of ECA’s efforts to develop a standardised child protection system in Abu Dhabi, to prevent child abuse and negligence, improve reporting system, and create a supportive environment for child development.

Inaugurating the programme took place during a virtual session attended by H.H. Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of ECA’s Board of Trustees and Chair of ECA’s Higher Committee; Hessa Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development; Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of Department of Community Development, DCD; Sana Mohamad Suhail, Head of ECA’s Founding Team, a number of social support sector’s leaders in Abu Dhabi, representatives of Abu Dhabi Judicial Academy, ADJA, and participants in the programme.

In this regard, H.H. Sheikh Theyab said that Abu Dhabi seeks to establish solid foundations to develop children protection system in Abu Dhabi, give children the best care they need, foster citizen engagement in advancing ECD sector, due to its vital role in achieving other sectors’ sustainable development, and strengthen strategic bonds between national social support entities and citizens. His Highness noted the programme also supports the growth and prosperity of Abu Dhabi and establishes its position as one of the best cities in the world in providing a supportive and stimulating environment for child development and growth.

Sheikh Theyab affirmed that launching Child Protection Specialist Training Programme, in partnership with Ministry of Community Development, DCD and Georgetown University, will enable trainees to better understand the conditions of the executive by-laws of child rights law known as "Wadeema", and relevant global regulations that are aligned with the UAE’s laws and social values. In addition to localizing the best child protection-related practices, the programme aims to qualify Emirati practitioners to lead this important sector in the future.

Buhumaid stated that the training programme for child protection specialists in Abu Dhabi, comes in accordance with the requirements of "Wadeema" law, in an initial stage to train 25 trainees out of targeted 100 in the programme who meet the conditions of Article 9 of the Cabinet’s Decision No. 52 of 2018 concerning the executive by-laws of "Wadeema" Law.

She noted that the programme qualifies social and psychological specialists to exercise their duties as child protection specialists taking preventive intervention in cases where the child’s health or safety is found to be at risk, and therapeutic intervention in abuse cases, exploitation and neglect incurred on the child in violation of the provisions of the law, regulations and decisions issued in implementation thereof.

She added that the programme qualifies the participants to be child protection specialists given the judicial officers to exercise their duties, protect and maintain the best interests of the child above any considerations and priority in all circumstances whatever the interests of any other parties.

She elaborated that the programme was designed jointly with ECA, Ministry of Community Development and DCD. It will be presented through Georgetown University, one of the oldest universities in the United States of America known in the early childhood development sector in accordance with the regulations and legislations of the UAE. This programme will provide the highest level of safety and stability for children given the impact it has on the methods of solving problems that any child would encounter. The judicial officer role is reflected through his duties and direct impact on the health, physical, psychological, mental or moral safety and security of the child, and therapeutic intervention in abuse cases, exploitation and neglect incurred on the child in violation of the provisions of the law, regulations and decisions issued in implementation thereof.

For his side, Dr. Al Khaili praised ECA’s efforts in organizing the training in Abu Dhabi. He added the programme comes in line with the social sector plan, which aims at creating a stable and nurturing environment that meets all family members’ needs, especially children at their early years, providing a decent life for all members of society, and developing an integrated system to protect children from all forms of abuse and negligence, in cooperation with partners from various sectors in Abu Dhabi.

"As we are looking forward to bringing up a generation of young people equipped with the knowledge and necessary skills to overcome challenges, taking care of children and investing in childhood development is a priority we are focusing on. By launching this programme, we will strive to qualify child protection specialists, as they will play a pivotal role in enhancing the child protection system, as well as establishing community and family cohesion in Abu Dhabi," Al Khaili said.

On the other hand, Counselor Yousef Saeed Al-Abri, Under-Secretary of ADJD and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Judicial Academy, ADJA, said that launching Child Protection Specialist Training Programme comes within efforts aimed at developing an integrated system to preserve children’s rights and protect them against all forms of negligence, abuse or exploitation. This ensures proper child growth at a supportive environment based on scientific grounds, solid rules and systematic training plans.

"Under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of ADJD, the department is paying great attention to all plans and initiatives aimed at preserving children’s rights, by strengthening cooperation with relevant entities, which contributes to achieving the desired goals and fulfilling our wise leadership’s vision to create an environment supports children development and growth," Al-Abri added.

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