The Abu Dhabi ECA has announced an investment of AED 6.65 million aimed at enhancing early childhood development

In order to improve early childhood development (ECD) in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) has announced an investment of AED 6.65 million in 14 research awards. These funds are intended to advance the science of early childhood development in a way that is culturally appropriate while producing data that can be used to guide ECD programmes and policies throughout the Emirate.

Six universities in the United Arab Emirates will carry out the research projects: Mohamed Bin Rashid School of Government at United Arab Emirates University, New York University Abu Dhabi, University of Sharjah, Emirates College for Advanced Education, and University of Birmingham-Dubai. These initiatives seek to significantly influence Abu Dhabi's efforts to create programmes and policies for young children and their families that are grounded on fact.

The funds will be used to support a wide range of diverse research initiatives with the goals of better understanding the effects of fathers' behaviours on the development of young children as well as the effects of habits on young children's health and nutrition. At the end of the day, these activities will help Abu Dhabi improve the science of ECD. With an emphasis on securing young children's consent to engage in research and ensuring their opinions are heard and appreciated, the ECA is supporting a number of projects over a three-year period that will serve to amplify children's voices in ECD research.