Symposium Brings Professionals Together to Discuss Intersectoral Actions for Early Childhood

The program featured expert talks and reflection sessions focused on strengthening initiatives for early childhood development.

Maceió, December 12, 2025 - The Early Childhood Today Symposium: Comprehensive Care and Intersectorality brought together professionals from the Municipal Departments of Education, Health, and Social Development for a full day of discussions on coordinating municipal public policies to ensure comprehensive care for early childhood. The event took place this Thursday (11) at the SESI/SENAI auditorium, in the Poço neighborhood of Maceió.

The symposium is part of the Trilhas da Infância (Early Childhood Pathways) Project, an initiative under the Social and Urban Action Plan (PAS), established through the Socio-Environmental Agreement signed by the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) and Braskem, with the participation of the State Public Prosecutor's Office (MPE) and the formal adherence of the Municipality of Maceió.

Participants were welcomed with a cultural performance by Batuque Mundaú, led by Master Dalmo Almeida. The opening panel included representatives from the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office, the Office of the Mayor of Maceió, the Municipal Departments of Education, Health, and Social Development, as well as Braskem. All speakers emphasized the importance of closer collaboration among different sectors to strengthen public policies that support children and their families.

The symposium brought together professionals from the municipal public service network, including teachers, daycare assistants, pedagogical coordinators, psychologists, nutritionists, pediatricians, nurses, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, community health workers, and social workers.
 

Trilhas da Infância

During the morning session, participants were introduced to the foundations and planned stages of Trilhas da Infância - Technical Update Program in Early Childhood, which will also include mandatory Thematic Stations designed to provide in-depth training on contemporary issues in early childhood development. The project offers technical upskilling for participating professionals, grounded in comprehensive care, the strengthening of intersectoral collaboration, and a strong connection to local contexts. It also takes into account the impacts of neighborhood displacement resulting from the subsidence event, while promoting the integration of theory and practice through the use of active learning methodologies.

Braskem's Social Actions Manager, Raineldes Melo, explained that the initiative will create opportunities for experience sharing among municipal departments and enable the development of joint actions. "In 2026, the project will carry out activities to ensure ongoing technical support and knowledge exchange among professionals," said.

Raineldes Melo also noted that the PAS includes infrastructure projects such as the construction or renovation of Municipal Early Childhood Education Centers, Social Assistance Reference Centers, and Primary Health Care Units. The Trilhas da Infância project serves as a catalyst for encouraging and strengthening intersectoral dialogue. "The program is not external to the municipal departments; it was developed collaboratively, based on the needs identified by the Municipality's technical teams," added.

Expert Talks

The program of the first Trilhas da Infância symposium featured talks by renowned specialists. Opening the morning's technical agenda, Raquel Franzim, General Coordinator of Comprehensive and Full-Time Education at the Ministry of Education (MEC), emphasized that developing strategies to improve the quality of basic education requires considering all aspects of a child's lived experience. "A child is a whole person, and thinking about a whole person means understanding their physical, social, cognitive, emotional, cultural, and political dimensions," she said.

The importance of children's social inclusion today as a foundation for society's future was highlighted in the talk by Stellinha Moraes, who holds a master's degree in Local Development and specializes in public policy management for early childhood. According to her, ensuring children's well-being and education requires coordinated action across different branches of government.

Reflections on Contemporary Challenges

In the afternoon, a thematic discussion circle was facilitated by specialists from the Federal University of Alagoas, Professor Ana Carolina Santana Vieira and Andreza Fabrícia Pinheiro da Silva, along with Michele Leal, a representative of Toca da Cria . The session aimed to deepen the topics presented and create space for dialogue and exchange among participants.

The closing lecture was delivered by Vera Iaconelli, Director of the Instituto Gerar and PhD in Psychology from the University of São Paulo (USP). She addressed contemporary challenges faced by those who care for and educate children, including the impact of screen use. "Studies show that excessive use of cell phones and the internet is harmful to children and triggers a range of problems. We need to advocate for reducing screen use. Campaigns to ban cell phones in schools are taking place in several states, and the results have been remarkable," she emphasized. At the conclusion of the program, attendees enjoyed a performance by Coco de Roda Los Coquitos, supported by the PAS Cultural Support Program. The presentation provided a moment of connection and shared experience among participants.

About PAS

PAS includes more than 40 initiatives, ranging from the construction or renovation of daycare centers, markets, public squares, and health units, to broader actions in the cultural, social, economic, and urban development fields. Some of the actions are executed by the company; others by Maceió's local government. The budget is BRL 198 million - adjusted annually.

 

 

 

Photo credits: Philipe Medeiros