Health Systems for Early Child Development (HSECD) and partners hosted this webinar to unveil new regional resources in support of better services for child health and development.

Over the past two decades, there have been significant progress in reducing infant mortality in Europe and Central Asia. However, one in five children in the region still risk not reaching their full developmental potential due to factors such as poverty; social exclusion; inadequate nurturing or stimulating care within the family; or limited access to essential services. HSECD aims to ensure that all children can thrive, regardless of their socio-economic status or country of origin.

For this to happen, it is crucial that policymakers are well-informed about the gaps and challenges at national, regional, and local levels, enabling them to target their measures and investment effectively. Additionally, professionals who support young children and families need robust technical guidance and practical tools to implement evidence-based practices that promote optimal child development and caregiver engagement.

This webinar presented new key resources and collaboration processes jointly developed by UNICEF and WHO aimed at bolstering national efforts to provide high-quality health and development services for young children and their families. These include:

• Early Childhood Development Situation Analysis Tool and Methodological guidance
• Monitoring Child’s Development in Europe and Central Asia – Overview and Recommendations
• The process of adaptation and introduction of the Pocketbook of Primary Health Care for Children and Adolescents

This webinar was organised by UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO), WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe), and the International Step by Step Association (ISSA), under the auspices of the Health Systems for Early Childhood Development initiative.  ​It was hosted in English with simultaneous interpretation in Russian.

Opening remarks