BANGKOK — Thailand and Singapore are set to strengthen cooperation on social development, including the care and development of children during the first 1,000 days of life.
The Thai Cabinet on 25 August approved a draft memorandum of understanding between Thailand’s Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and Singapore’s Ministry of Social and Family Development.
The agreement aims to promote exchanges of information, knowledge, experience, policies and best practices between the two countries in areas including social welfare, community development, and child development and protection.
A key focus will be the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, with the two countries sharing knowledge and experience on early childhood development and child protection. The insights could be used to improve social policies and services according to each country’s needs.
The cooperation will also cover staff exchanges, study visits, training programmes, conferences and joint seminars to strengthen expertise and share approaches to social welfare and development.
A joint working group will be established to plan, coordinate, monitor and evaluate the cooperation. The group will meet at least once a year or as needed.
Thai government spokesperson Capt. Phatdarasmi Thongsaluakorn said the cooperation would provide an opportunity for Thailand and Singapore to learn from each other, particularly in child development and protection and care during the first 1,000 days of life.
The memorandum is scheduled to be signed on 6 September during the sixth Thailand-Singapore Leaders’ Meeting, where it is expected to be one of the key outcomes of bilateral cooperation.
