The African Center for Early Childhood Development (AfC-ECD) and the Behavioral Insights Research and Design (BIRD) Lab Ethiopia, College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen research, evidence, and practical action to advance early childhood development initiatives in Ethiopia and beyond.
The partnership brings together AfC-ECD’s pan-African ECD mandate and BIRD Lab’s expertise in behavioral insights, public health research and Social and Behavior Change (SBC). “Together, the two institutions will generate and use evidence to better understand the factors affecting young children and inform stronger policies, programmes and services,” said Dr. Kebede Worku, Chief Executive Officer of the African Center for Early Childhood Development.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Rahel Argaw, Chief Executive Director, College of Health Sciences, with Vice President rank of Addis Ababa University, highlighted that behavioral change is not the responsibility of a single discipline. She stressed the importance of multidisciplinary efforts and holistic approaches to address complex issues affecting communities and children.
The collaboration will focus on behavioral insights research, social and behavior change, evidence generation, capacity building, policy translation and advocacy. It will also create opportunities for joint research, training, internships, fellowships, staff exchanges, and knowledge sharing. The partnership would enable the two institutions to work together to translate research findings into practical solutions and support stronger early childhood development systems. The partnership also reflects the parties’ commitment to connect evidence, policy, practice and partnerships to support better decisions and improved outcomes for young children and their caregivers.
Ultimately, the collaboration aims to ensure that research does not remain on paper but helps shape practical solutions that enable children to grow, learn and thrive from the very beginning of life.