The Tanzania Early Childhood Development Network (TECDEN) was found in December 2000. It was officially registered on June 30, 2004 by the Registrar of Associations, Ministry of Home Affairs under the Associations Act, 1954. Among the objectives was “…the development and maintenance of an active network for early childhood development through strong institutional links between organizations relevant to early childhood development. What began as the Joint Organizing Committee evolved naturally into the formation of the National Network of Early Childhood Development Stakeholders now known as TECDEN. It is a national network of early childhood development organizations working in partnership to influence policies, programs and practices related to early childhood development (ECD) by exchanging information, experiences and research and generating knowledge and understanding about early childhood development in Tanzania.
TECDEN works in cooperation with the government through the Ministry of Health and Community Development for Older Persons and Children (MoHCDGEC) – Child Development Department – (CDD). In December 2018, TECDEN and MoHCDGEC organized a multi-sectoral forum for early childhood development stakeholders. The meeting was attended by more than 120 stakeholders from various fields across the country. Form a working group of individuals from key ministries of early childhood development, ministries and non-governmental actors. A total of 24 members. TECDEN has been tasked with identifying non-state actors in the task force and terms of reference for the task force have been developed.
Geographical coverage TECDEN
TECDEN currently has members in eighteen regional chapters in eighteen government administrative regions in mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar as follows: Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Kagera, Kilimanjaro, Manyara, Morogoro, Mwanza, Bwani, Ruvuma, Tanga, Mgeni Maghreb, Unguja Kaskazini , Pemba Cascazini and Pemba Cossini.
Vision
TECDEN’s vision is in Tanzania where all young children from conception to age 8 are valued in such a way that their basic rights and needs are met and their rights to survive and thrive are truly realized through comprehensive approaches to support their development.
Mission
TECDEN’s mission is to ensure that all TECDEN members work collaboratively to promote multisectoral approaches that;
It generates the comprehensive development of infants and young children that
Bring young children’s voices to issues that affect them.
Goal
TECDEN aims to create an enabling environment by enhancing members’ ability to participate strategically in major policy and program development processes at all levels to influence improved support for the inclusive development of all infants and young children.
Values
We respect the individuality and rights of every child
We value the potential and dignity of every child
Child welfare and interests are at the heart of everything we do
We uphold the legal right of young children to be protected from all forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation
Main Objectives
Advocating for policies, laws, regulations and frameworks that improve service delivery for young children by engaging in policy dialogue at all levels.
Mobilizing the community to actively participate in promoting early childhood development in Tanzania through national campaigns that invest in young children for national development
Conducting research, surveys and situation analysis for the purpose of generating evidence-based facts to fuel advocacy work on issues affecting young children in Tanzania
Strengthen the capacity of member organizations on early childhood development issues to enable them to provide quality services to young children in their workplaces
Coordinating the exchange of information among stakeholders/member organizations on issues of importance to improving the well-being of young children in Tanzania