JAKARTA — SEAMEO RECFON successfully conducted the 1st Indonesia Early Childhood Care, Nutrition, and Education (ECCNE) Working Group (Pokja) Meeting of 2026 on 29 July 2026. Held virtually, the meeting brought together academic partners, local government representatives, professional organizations, and other ECCNE stakeholders to exchange knowledge and strengthen multisectoral collaboration in implementing the ECCNE Program across its partner districts in Indonesia.
Opening the meeting, Prof. Dr. dr. Rini Sekartini, Sp.A(K), Director of SEAMEO RECFON, emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of holistic early childhood development efforts. She expressed her hope that the Working Group would continue serving as a platform for learning, collaboration, and monitoring the progress of ECCNE Program implementation.
“Through continuous collaboration and shared learning, we can further strengthen ECCNE implementation and support every child in achieving optimal growth and development,” said Prof. Rini. (adapted from opening remarks)
Following the opening session, Dr. Umi Fahmida, ECCNE Program Coordinator, presented the latest progress and achievements of the ECCNE Program across the partner districts. The presentation provided participants with updates on ECCNE’s current model expansion, namely ECCNE–ASD, Program Extender, and Disaster-Resilient Village. In addition, the presentation also highlighted the implementation mapping through the microsite’s monitoring and evaluation submission of ECCNE activities carried out during the first semester of 2026, serving as a foundation for subsequent discussions.
The first technical session featured Dr. Indriani from LKBN ANTARA, who discussed the use of WhatsApp as a platform to support parenting sessions in early childhood education centers. She explained how digital communication could strengthen interactions between educators and parents while making parenting sessions more accessible and sustainable.
“Digital communication platforms such as WhatsApp can become practical tools for delivering parenting messages and fostering continuous engagement with parents,” she explained. (adapted from presentation topic)
The meeting continued with a showcase session on strengthening the monitoring of ECCNE Program implementation through a multisectoral approach at the district level. Dr. Rahmawati, S.Gizi, M.Si, an ECCNE Program Extender alumna from Maros Regency, shared practical experiences from technical assistance activities. She demonstrated how effective planning, collaboration, and efficient resource utilization had enabled the successful implementation of parenting activities despite limited resources.
“Our experience in Maros showed that strong collaboration and efficient resource utilization can create meaningful impacts, even without large budgets,” she shared.
Complementing the discussion, H. Sulaeman Samad, M.Si., Head of the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bapperida) of Maros Regency, highlighted the strategic role of local government leadership in sustaining ECCNE Program implementation. He explained that integrated planning, budgeting, and coordination across local government agencies were essential to ensuring the continuity of multisectoral programs.
“Leadership commitment is the key to bringing sectors together and ensuring that ECCNE becomes part of integrated regional development planning,” H. Sulaeman Samad emphasized.
The meeting concluded with an interactive discussion session, allowing participants to exchange experiences, address implementation challenges, and identify opportunities for strengthening multisectoral coordination across districts. The dialogue reaffirmed the importance of continuous communication and collaboration among ECCNE Program partners.
Through the 1st Indonesia ECCNE Working Group Meeting of 2026, SEAMEO RECFON reaffirmed its commitment to advancing evidence-based, multisectoral approaches to early childhood care, nutrition, and education. By promoting digital innovation, strengthening partnerships, and facilitating knowledge exchange, SEAMEO RECFON will continue supporting local governments and stakeholders in creating enabling environments where every child can grow, learn, and thrive.