The innovation model “Early Journey of Life” was introduced to leaders of Female’s Work and Policy Department at 33 provinces in the Central and the South, under the support of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour

The innovation model “Early Journey of Life” (EJOL) was introduced to leaders of Female’s Work and Policy Department at 33 provinces in the Central and the South, under the support of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour. This is the kick-off meeting to expand the EJOL to industrial zones in Vietnam.

Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL or Trade Union) has identified nine (9) strategies, of which 2 strategies focus on:

• Enhancing the quality of life, knowledge, and happiness of industrial zone’s workers
• Providing better care for children of workers and industrial zone workers

EJOL is a parenting education program which focuses on the first 1000 days of the child’s life. EJOL has been packaged to be implemented in all 109 communes of Ha Nam province, mainly by provincial, district and communal staff and with support from the Research and Training Centre for Community Development and Monash University team. Recognizing the significance and impact that the EJOL might bring about to industrial zone workers, the Department of Female’s’ Work and Policy of the VGCL approached and requested the Research and Training Centre for Community Development (RTCCD) to pilot the EJOL innovation in two province/city Ha Noi and Ha Nam, and then to expand it to key industrial zones in Vietnam. The EJOL will make tangible contributions to implement the two key strategies mentioned above through the carrying out the virtual learning platofrm to improve parenting skills to industrial zones.

On the 4^th October 2022, the EJOL innovation was introduced at the National Conference of the Female’s Work and Policy. Following the conference, the VGCL will issue guidelines and direction documents to implement the innovation to factories and corporations at 33 provinces. The RTCCD will collaborate with the VGCL to support workers during the self-learning on the website-based platform. We all aim to the goal to unlock industrial zone’s children potential capacity for full growth and development.

Below are some images from the conference

Conference batter

Conference participants from 33 provinces

• Ms. Tran Thi Thu Ha, director of the RTCCD, presented the EJOL to participants
• Leader of Female Work and Policy Department in Ninh Thuan expressed her interest with the EJOL and the potential to address the workers’ needs in maternal and child care