Derry charity playing central role in major African education conference

PICTURED ABOVE: Left to right, Craig Ferla, Tanzania Country Director, Heri Ayubu, Tanzania Senior Manager – Programmes and Operations, Richard Moore, Chief Executive Children In Crossfire and Matthew Banks, Head of Programmes and Strategic Direction.

A Children in Crossfire delegation, led by Richard Moore, is playing a central role in a groundbreaking international conference on Early Childhood Development in East Africa.

The Africa Early Childhood Network conference – which is taking place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – is bringing together educational experts, policy makers and practitioners from eight East African countries to explore best practice in early years’ intervention and support. The collective goal of the gathering is to ensure that millions of young children across a vast swathe of the African continent get the start in life they all deserve. 

Speaking from Dar es Salaam, Richard Moore said: “Children in Crossfire are delighted to be playing a central role in this major international conference on Early Childhood Development in East Africa.

"The key theme is ‘Investing in Early Childhood’, which is the core focus of our work. Colleagues from both Tanzania and Ethiopia are delivering six platform presentations detailing the work we do in the early years field, sharing our experiences, practices and ideas. 

“The most important step in ensuring children get the best possible start in life is to provide access to high quality education. That is the vital message the Children in Crossfire team are communicating this week.

“I am immensely proud that Children in Crossfire have become so highly regarded and respected internationally, particularly through our work in education.

"It has been a long road from our earliest days in 1996 to having influence and impact on the scale we are now. Whether people have been supporting us over all those years or have joined us along the way, they should be proud of their part in the progress we have made. 

“This week is demonstrating the shared will that exists across East Africa to shape a better world for their children. As Children in Crossfire look to the future, we are determined to make as big a difference as we can for as many vulnerable children as possible.”