The President of the Republic of Uruguay inaugurated an early childhood centre run by the Dianova Uruguay Foundation in Montevideo
Since 1988, the CAIF Plan has been promoting the rights of children, prioritising the access of children from poor and/or socially vulnerable families – Photo, all rights reserved – Uruguay Presidencia
By the Dianova team – Since the implementation of the CAIF plan (Early Childhood Care and Attention Centres) in 1988, the Uruguayan government has been committed to implementing partnerships between the government, civil society organizations and municipalities. The aim is to protect children and promote their rights, from conception to age three.
In this context, the Dianova Uruguay Foundation has been entrusted at the end of 2023 with the management of a outpatient, CAIF centre under the supervision of the Uruguayan Institute for Children and Adolescents (INAU). The handover of the keys to the centre, which is located in the heart of the Puntas de Manga district of the country’s capital Montevideo, was at that time the subject of an official publication and an article was published on this website explaining the centre’s procedures and goals.
- Puntas de Manga (Uruguay): Care and Support for Infants and Families
The centre then opened its doors in December 2023 and has been in operation ever since. Today it hosts 108 children, through the work of the Dianova Uruguay Foundation and a team of professionals and early childhood specialists, including educators, cooks, psychomotor therapists, service assistants, psychologists and social workers.
All that remained was for the centre to be officially inaugurated. This took place on Friday 19 July in the presence of the President of the Republic, Luis Lacalle Pou, the Minister for Social Development, Alejandro Sciarra, and the President of INAU, Guillermo Fossati.
“There is nothing more worthy than this type of programme” said the President of the Republic at the ceremony, referring to the CAIF plan, which has been in existence for 35 years. “It is an integration of childhood and family” he added, stressing that the approach comes from children and parents, with the aim of creating a bond of connection, union and complementarity.
Mr Lacalle Pou also highlighted the role of educators in terms of professional commitment and emotional value. “This is what makes the difference: emotion, love, sharing and generosity” he said.
INAU President Fossati emphasized the importance of the new educational centre for the children and families who live in the neighbourhood. He pointed out that it is part of a major effort by the government to prioritise early childhood. “The first 36 months of life are when the foundations are laid, which then determine many stages of development” he stressed.
He also mentioned the importance of having a local place where children are welcomed and stimulated based on their neurocognitive development, so that they can better face challenges and start school in the best possible conditions.
During the inauguration ceremony, from left to right: Mr Alejandro Sciarra, Minister for Social Development, Mr. Guillermo Fossati, President of INAU, Mr. Fabrizio Glisenti, Director-General, Dianova Uruguay Foundation, and Mr. Luis Lacalle Pou, President of the Republic of Uruguay – Photo, all rights reserved – Uruguay Presidencia
