UAE launches groundbreaking program to determine child well being
“Thriving Child Index” revolutionizes data collection by consolidating multiple child welfare facets onto one platform
ABU DHABI, UAE (MNTV) – UAE has launched the “Thriving Child Index,” a pioneering initiative aimed at offering a comprehensive framework for measuring child well-being.
The platform was unveiled by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA).
Announced at the third edition of the Abu Dhabi Child Data Symposium, this innovative index addresses a crucial question: “How do we know children are thriving?”
The symposium, themed “Harnessing Child Data to Shape Scalable Societal Change,” gathered global experts, government representatives, and thought leaders to explore the transformative potential of data-driven insights.
Key speakers included UAE Minister of Family Sana bint Mohamed Suhail, ECA Director-General Ahmed Tamim Al Kuttab, and members of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
International experts such as Dr. Friederike Schüür of UNICEF and Dr. Jonathan Rothwell of Gallup also participated.
Traditionally, child well-being has been evaluated through fragmented approaches.
Health organizations focus on medical outcomes, educational institutions assess learning achievements, and social services address family support.
The Thriving Child Index aims to bring these separate perspectives together in a unified framework.
Minister Suhail stressed the importance of data in early childhood development.
She said, “At ECA, our vision is that every young child can flourish to their full potential in a safe and family-friendly environment.”
The index, which is the first of its kind globally, will help achieve this vision by connecting various sectors and providing targeted interventions for children’s best start in life.
The ECA will work with key government agencies and experts to develop the index, ensuring it reflects a holistic understanding of child well-being.
This initiative complements the ECA’s broader World Early Childhood Development (WED) Movement, which aims to advance early childhood development in Abu Dhabi and beyond.
The symposium concluded with a call to action, urging continued dialogue on how data can be leveraged to support early childhood development.
Participants were encouraged to explore innovative ways to ensure that every child thrives, reinforcing the importance of collective efforts for a better future.
The Thriving Child Index represents a major milestone in Abu Dhabi’s commitment to safeguarding the well-being of its youngest citizens.
It sets a global benchmark for data-driven approaches in early childhood development.
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