Madrid: Minister of Social Development Wafaa Bani Mustafa and the CEO of the Van Leer Foundation, Michael Feigelson, engaged in discussions on Friday to explore collaboration opportunities in providing care services, with a particular focus on the nursery sector. The meeting took place during the first Global Caregiver Forum in Madrid, Spain, with the Secretary-General of the National Council for Family Affairs, Dr. Mohammad Miqdadi, also in attendance.
According to Jordan News Agency, Bani Mustafa highlighted the significance of cooperation in joint social programs with the Van Leer Foundation, emphasizing the need to strengthen coordination frameworks and share expertise. She outlined a vision for developing policies and programs that support early childhood, aiming to empower parents and caregivers and improve nurturing environments for children's holistic development.
The minister praised the Van Leer Foundation's role in promoting evidence-based approaches and fostering partnerships at national, regional, and international levels. This collaboration is expected to protect children's rights and achieve a sustainable social impact on shared priority issues. Bani Mustafa also underscored the importance of cooperation in creating comprehensive programs for young children, supporting family counseling, and building the capacities of parents and caregivers.
Bani Mustafa noted that these efforts contribute to a supportive environment for children's psychological and social development and enhance the skills of social workers through specialized training programs. These initiatives are aimed at early intervention and social protection within the social sector.
Dr. Miqdadi expressed his appreciation for the Van Leer Foundation's partnership and support in preparing the National Child Welfare Policy, which emphasizes parental care and awareness. Following the policy's approval, parental awareness programs will be rolled out in community development centers in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development.
Feigelson discussed the organization's existing programs in the care sector and its collaborations with service providers and families. He encouraged future cooperation on several joint initiatives to further enhance the impact of their efforts.