Logo WhiteLogo Green
ENBH

  • Tanoto Foundation Drives Cross-Sector Synergy to Strengthen the Early Childhood Education and Development Ecosystem through the 2025 International Symposium on Early Childhood Education and Development (ECED)

    Tanoto Foundation Drives Cross-Sector Synergy to Strengthen the Early Childhood Education and Development Ecosystem through the 2025 International Symposium on Early Childhood Education and Development (ECED)

    Jakarta, 17 December 2025 – Early childhood is not merely a phase of growth, but the foundation that determines the quality of human capital and a nation’s future competitiveness. Yet to this day, the fulfilment of young children’s rights and wellbeing continues to face major challenges, both globally and nationally.

    UNESCO (2022) reports that only around two thirds of children aged 36 to 59 months worldwide are developing in line with their developmental stages, while UNICEF notes that more than half of children have experienced severe violence.

    In Indonesia, national stunting prevalence remains at 19.8 percent (National Team for the Acceleration of Stunting Reduction, 2024). Meanwhile, Statistics Indonesia (2025) shows that the Gross Enrolment Rate for early childhood education stands at only 36 percent, alongside persistent challenges related to the quality and capacity of early childhood educators.

    These data highlight the wide gaps that remain, ranging from access to services and quality of caregiving to weak cross-sector coordination in early childhood development. Strong advocacy is therefore required to drive policy and practice reforms so that early childhood development becomes more holistic, evidence based, and cross sectoral.

    Without close synergy between health, education, caregiving, and social protection, Indonesia risks losing momentum in human capital development and its demographic dividend on the path towards Indonesia Emas 2045.

    Recognising this urgency, Tanoto Foundation, an independent philanthropic organisation focusing on education and health, convened the 2025 International Symposium on Early Childhood Education and Development (ECED) under the theme “ECED Ecosystem Synergy in Promoting the Best Start in Life” in Jakarta on Wednesday, 17 December 2025.

    To ensure that every child receives the best possible start in life, solutions must be cross sectoral, evidence based, and sustainable. Collaboration among central and local governments, international organisations, research institutions, civil society, and the philanthropic sector is key to strengthening early childhood development.

    Accordingly, Tanoto Foundation partnered with ministries and cross sector organisations, including the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, and the Ministry of Population and Family Development, as well as UNICEF, SEAMEO CECCEP, ARNEC, ECED Council Indonesia, and others.

    The symposium discussions were structured around two main sub-themes. The morning segment, “Synergising Health and Education for ECED”, emphasised the importance of integrating health, nutrition, and education services as the foundation of children’s development from an early age. This session highlighted innovations in growth and development monitoring, nutrition interventions, and the strengthening of early stimulation within primary service systems.

    The afternoon segment focused on “Parenting and Early Learning”, positioning families, particularly parents and caregivers, as key actors within the early childhood ecosystem. Discussions explored the role of responsive caregiving, interaction based early learning, and policy and programme support to strengthen parents’ capacity to support children’s optimal growth and learning.

    Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, who officially opened the symposium, underscored that fulfilling young children’s right to life and health is the cornerstone of human development.

    “The age of 0 to 5 years is a highly decisive phase in determining whether a person will grow into a healthy, intelligent adult who can contribute to the nation, including to increased per capita income,” said the Minister of Health.

    He added that priority must be placed on ensuring children can live and grow in good health. “We must act very quickly. If we do not, we risk missing Indonesia’s demographic dividend, and this is our responsibility to our children,” he stressed.

    The Government of Indonesia has reaffirmed its commitment to early childhood development through the Long-Term National Development Plan 2025 to 2045 and the Medium-Term National Development Plan 2025 to 2029, with Holistic and Integrated Early Childhood Development (PAUD-HI) designated as a key performance indicator. The second phase of the National Action Plan for Holistic and Integrated ECED 2025 to 2029 will also be launched soon as a framework for multisector collaboration.

    Opening the afternoon session, Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Arifatul Choiri Fauzi highlighted the symposium’s role in strengthening policy direction. “This forum brings together strategic cross sector perspectives. We encourage the resulting recommendations to be used to strengthen policies, regulations, and service innovations for early childhood development,” she explained.

    Prof. Stella Christie, Benny Lee, and Inge Kusuma during the 2025 International Symposium on Early Childhood Education and Development in Jakarta.

    Continuing the session, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Prof. Stella Christie emphasised the importance of science based parenting and high quality interactions between children and parents or caregivers.

    “As a researcher, I have found that caregiving with optimal interaction between children and caregivers has the greatest potential to maximise child development. No technology, including artificial intelligence, can replace the power of human interaction,” said Prof. Stella.

    She explained that children learn through curiosity and imitation. “Children develop by asking questions and by observing and copying. Therefore, it is important to give them the widest possible opportunities to learn through questions, to respond in ways that stimulate thinking, and to provide good examples in everyday life,” she added.

    Prof. Stella stressed that parenting grounded in scientific evidence and meaningful relationships forms the foundation of brain development and lifelong learning.

    At the same occasion, CEO of Tanoto Foundation Benny Lee reaffirmed that early life is the most decisive phase in a person’s life journey, shaping brain development, health, and character.

    “The early years are a critical starting point. This is when the foundations of human capacity are formed, with impacts that last a lifetime. That is why we need a truly supportive ecosystem, not driven by a single institution, but through collaboration among all stakeholders,” said Benny.

    He added that Tanoto Foundation’s current focus is on strengthening a comprehensive ecosystem for young children and families.

    “For Tanoto Foundation, early childhood development is a primary investment. We believe that when government, civil society, academia, and the philanthropic sector work together, the impact will be far greater and more sustainable,” Benny concluded.

    This year’s symposium was attended by around 200 participants, with speakers from a wide range of institutions and organisations.

    Government speakers included:

    • Deputy for Coordination of Family Quality Improvement and Population, Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, Woro Srihastuti Sulistyaningrum
    • Deputy for Family Welfare and Family Empowerment, National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN), Nopian Andusti
    • Assistant Deputy for Early Childhood and Basic Education, Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, Jazziray Hartoyo
    • Director of Family Health Services, Ministry of Health, Lovely Daisy
    • Director of Primary and Secondary Education, Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, Suprapto Budinugroho
    • Senior Education Quality Assurance Expert, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Harris Iskandar
    • Chair of the Family Welfare and Empowerment Movement (TP PKK), East Java Province, Arumi Bachsin

    Speakers from development organisations, academia, research institutions, and philanthropy included:

    • President and CEO, Childhood Education International, Diane Whitehead
    • Chief of Nutrition, UNICEF, Mamadou Ndiaye
    • Executive Director, ARNEC, Evelyn Santiago
    • Octapharma Chaired Professor of Decision Neuroscience, INSEAD, Prof. Dr. Hilke Plassmann
    • Director, SEAMEO CECCEP, Prof. Vina Adriany
    • Deputy Director of Programmes, SEAMEO CECCEP, Widodo Suhartoyo
    • Coordinator, National Coalition for Holistic and Integrated ECED, Irma Yuliantina
    • Chair, ECED Council Indonesia, Prof. Fasli Jalal
    • Director, Indonesian Fortification Coalition, Nina Sardjunani
    • Member of ECED Council Indonesia and BAN PAUD, Dr. Gutama

    “This symposium is a commitment to ensure that every parent receives the support they need, every child receives the stimulation, nutrition, protection, and learning they deserve, and every sector, public, private, and development partners alike, moves forward together. Most importantly, it is about giving every child the strongest and happiest possible start in life,” Benny Lee concluded.

    Digital Media A

    ,

  • The Role of Fathers in the First 1,000 Days of Life: A Conversation on Bincang Inspiratif with Bapak2ID 

    The Role of Fathers in the First 1,000 Days of Life: A Conversation on Bincang Inspiratif with Bapak2ID 

    Tanoto Foundation hosted a special podcast, Bincang Inspiratif Live on Stage, focusing on the vital role fathers play during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life. 

    The discussion brought together public figures, the Bapak2ID community, and participants who shared real experiences and practical challenges. Throughout the session, one message stood out clearly: caregiving is not solely a mother’s responsibility.

    Actor Agus Kuncoro contributed his perspective, highlighting the importance of supporting the mother’s emotional wellbeing during pregnancy. He also stressed the need for fathers to maintain emotional stability, noting that babies can respond to sound and the surrounding atmosphere even from the womb. 

    The co-founders of Bapak2ID—Pak Munawir, Tuan Yayat, and Pak Nuang 2.000—added reflections on common issues faced by new fathers. One recurring challenge is the lack of clarity in dividing household and caregiving responsibilities, especially for fathers who grew up believing their primary role was simply to provide financially. 

    They emphasized that fatherhood is an ongoing learning process. Through their community, fathers have a space to exchange experiences, gain insights, and develop healthier, more effective parenting practices. 

    Watch this episode of Bincang Inspiratif to gain practical insights and help fathers feel more prepared and confident even before their child is born. Access the full episode through the link below. 

    Digital Media B

    , , , , ,

  • Bincang Inspiratif: Nutrition and Nurturing Care for Child’s Development

    Bincang Inspiratif: Nutrition and Nurturing Care for Child’s Development

    Indonesia’s third president, the late BJ Habibie stood at 162 cm tall. To many Indonesian parents, Habibie is a testament that someone’s height does not necessarily define their capabilities. But this notion might cause more harm than good, especially if it leads parents to be lax in ensuring their child’s development.

    Height is one of the most obvious ways to detect of stunting, which is detrimental for a child’s physical and brain development. A child is stunted if their height is more than two standard deviations below the World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Standards median.

    “Lack of nutrition does not only affect a child’s height, but also their intelligence,” said Dr Margareta Komalasari, SpA, a pediatrician. According to Dr Margareta, not many parents understand that malnutrition does not only hinder a child’s physical growth but also their brain development as well.

    In the latest episode of Bincang Inspiratif by Tanoto Foundation, Dr Margareta spoke to host Andrea Lee about the importance of nutrition and nurturing care to a child’s brain development. This episode covers:

    • – The significance of the first 1,000 days of life
    • – Complementary food for baby
    • – Role of nurturing care in child’s development

    https://www.instagram.com/tv/CU9vkq5K6NK/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=540&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tanotofoundation.org&rp=%2Fen%2Fnews%2Fbincang-inspiratif-nutrition-and-nurturing-care-for-childs-development%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A1343%2C%22ls%22%3A1134%2C%22le%22%3A1294%7D

    The first 1,000 days of life

    Ensuring a child’s development does not only start from the day they are born, but from the early days of pregnancy. The first 1,000 days of life, a period between early pregnancy and a child’s second birthday, have an everlasting impact on a child’s growth and development. Early childhood care is even more crucial considering the fact that a child’s brain reaches 80% of its adult size by the age of three and 90% by the age of five.

    “A child’s development is influenced by two factors: genetics and environment, including nutrition,” said Dr Margareta. “Hence, it’s important for expecting mothers to fulfill both macro and micronutrients that are needed for the fetus’s development.”

    Macronutrients, consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, are needed in large doses. Proteins are particularly important for brain development.

    Micronutrients, on the other hand, are only needed in small doses. But deficiencies of micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, could have detrimental effects both in the short and long term.

    According to Dr Margareta, an expecting mother needs roughly an extra 300 calories per day, and she cautioned against recent trends in which pregnant women avoid eating too much to avoid significant weight gain.

    “It’s normal to gain weight during pregnancy. However, too much is also not good for your baby,” said Dr Margareta. “Generally speaking, the weight gain during pregnancy should not exceed 16 kg to avoid gestational diabetes or hypertension.”

    Introducing complementary food

    A newborn baby should be breastfed exclusively until they are six months old. Then, parents can introduce weaning food to their diet. WHO recommends that parents introduce pureed, mashed, and semi-solid food before gradually increasing the quantity and consistency of the food until the child’s first birthday.

    “It’s important that these foods remain complementary and that parents should care about the nutrition and the texture of the food itself to prevent choking,” said Dr Margareta. She also said that in the beginning, the baby should not consume too many vegetables as these might hinder nutrition absorption. Fruits should also be limited as they are sugary, which might lead the baby to refusing less-sweet food.

    While many parents are cooking weaning food from scratch, buying fortified food is okay too. What matters is that the child gets enough calories and nutrition, according to Dr Margareta.

    More than just food: The significance of nurturing care

    “A child does not just sit and eat,” said Dr Margareta. “They also need love and a stimulating environment as well.”

    The latter two are known as nurturing care, which is crucial to ensuring a child’s early childhood development according to the Unlocking Children’s Potential to Learn report by Filantropi Indonesia and Tanoto Foundation.

    According to Dr Margareta, nutrition alone is not enough. To ensure that a child is growing and developing optimally, parents should also provide enough stimulation especially during the golden age.

    While the pandemic has limited the activities that parents and children can do, Dr Margareta suggested that parents just need to be creative. Parents can still ask children to play catch or learn to ride a bicycle to train their rough motor skills and accompany them to draw or play with playdough to enhance their fine motoric skills.

    “When they’re in their copying phase, facilitate their creativity and let them play pretend at home,” said Dr Margareta.

    Even more crucially, parents have to help children build their self-confidence by supporting them and to not speak in a condescending manner. “Our offhand comments or criticisms might affect them profoundly. Speak with love and believe in them,” said Dr Margareta.

    “Remember, all kinds of support from nutrition to nurturing care must be integrated to ensure optimal growth and development,” she summed up.

    KZTC

    , , ,