PHILIPPINES – More than 480 participants from 30 countries gathered for the 2025 Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Early Childhood Development (ECD), organized by the Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood (ARNEC) in collaboration with the ECCD Council of the Philippines as host. 

The annual conference, held from 1–3 July 2025 in Manila, focuses on improving inclusive and equitable ECD services while underscoring the importance of effective local governance. 

In the Asia-Pacific region—home to more than 60 percent of the world’s children the lack of access to high-quality ECD services continues to trap many children in cycles of inequality. 

Many children are deprived of nurturing care environments essential for their development due to various barriers, including disability, gender, geographic location, ethnicity, language, and socioeconomic status. 

As global funding for early childhood development declines, the impact is most strongly felt at the local level where services are delivered and where children live, learn, and grow. 

The conference features a series of presentations and panel discussions addressing issues such as disability inclusion, gender equality, cultural and linguistic inclusivity, poverty, urban–rural geographical gaps, and crisis-responsive ECD systems. 

Key speakers at the conference include Dr. Vibha Krishnamurthy, Founder and Executive Director of the Ummeed Child Development Center; Professor Alan Stein, Emeritus Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Oxford; and Professor Vina Adriany, Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Early Childhood Care Education and Parenting (SEAMEO CECCEP). 

During the event, UNESCO launched the Global Early Childhood and Care Education report, while the Van Leer Foundation introduced the Good Start Challenge, a €2.6 million global grant program that will fund initiatives to improve the well-being of parents with young children. 

Children’s charity TheirWorld also announced the launch of the Act for Early campaign, urging governments and international donors to commit at least USD 1 billion in new funding for childcare and preschool education. 

This year’s conference is co-hosted by Plan International, Save the Children, Tanoto Foundation, the Early Childhood Regional Networks Fund (ECRNF), UNICEF, and UNESCO, with support from the Philippine Normal University and REX Education. 

The #InspiringIndonesia competition invites students, communities, NGOs, filmmakers, and individual creators to raise awareness about youth mental well-being through short films. With a total prize pool of IDR 346.5 million, top winners from each category will also represent Indonesia at the Grand Final of the Inspiring Asia Micro Film Festival 2025 in Singapore. 

Amid growing concern over adolescent mental health, #InspiringIndonesia emerges as a collaborative initiative that uses short films as a medium for expression, social advocacy, and a bridge for change. 

This competition is organized by the #ForABetterWorld Campaign in collaboration with Djarum Foundation, Tanoto Foundation, and A Better World Foundation. 

The competition is part of the Inspiring Asia Micro Film Festival 2025, which is also supported by a network of regional and international partners such as the Asia Philanthropy Circle, Asia Community Foundation, Bluehill, Enlight Foundation, Li Foundation, and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, who together highlight stories of humanity that transcend national borders. 

With the theme “To Be Seen,” this year’s festival highlights youth mental health—an important yet often overlooked issue. 

Participants can submit entries in two main categories: 

● Best Microfilm Award, for filmmakers who can present compelling narratives with creative visuals and strong cinematography. 

● Best Project Film Award, dedicated to impactful, existing social initiatives told through short films. This category emphasizes real-world impact and how the film—whether newly created or previously produced—can compellingly and innovatively tell its story. 

The journey of Inspiring Asia Microfilm Festival 2025 #InspiringIndonesia begins with the Open Call from June 13 to July 22, 2025, inviting filmmakers from diverse backgrounds to submit their best works. 

From July 24 to 31, 2025, a panel of judges will review all submissions and select 14 finalists—seven from each category. 

The finalists will be officially announced and participate in an onboarding session on August 7, 2025, which will include technical briefings, promotion strategies, and competition mechanics. The next phase is the film promotion stage, where finalists will publish their films and campaign for youth mental health using the Campaign #ForABetterWorld app to garner public support and amplify the social message of their films. 

For more information and registration, visit: https://inspiringindonesia.campaign.com/  

The festival will culminate in September 2025 with an exclusive screening of finalist films and the announcement of winners, who will receive top honors and the chance to showcase their work on an international stage. 

Be part of the Inspiring Asia Microfilm Festival 2025. Submit your short film and make a real impact on youth mental health.  

Better Health, Brighter Futures: Tanoto and Gates Foundations Join Hands for Asia’s Communities

SINGAPORE, 06 MAY 2025 – Tanoto Foundation and Gates Foundation today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaborative efforts aimed at unlocking human potential and helping communities thrive across Asia.  The MoU brings together the two foundations’ shared commitment and experience in advancing healthcare, nutrition, education, and strengthening the philanthropic ecosystem in the region.

Through this partnership, the two foundations build on their existing relationship to collaborate and work together to identify, design, and implement joint initiatives in areas including Public health and healthcare delivery; Maternal and child nutrition; Access to quality education and; Strengthening philanthropic ecosystem and capacity-building in Asia.

“This partnership is a significant step toward unlocking new possibilities for systems change in Asia and builds on our existing impactful programs,” said Belinda Tanoto, member of the Board of Trustees, Tanoto Foundation. “In today’s rapidly changing world, the challenges we face are complex and interconnected, from widening funding gaps to the rising disparity between rich and poor. No single organization, no matter how large or resourceful, can tackle these issues alone. That’s why collaboration is so critical. By partnering with like-minded organizations like the Gates Foundation, we can leverage our collective strengths to catalyze lasting change.  We believe that when we invest in people, we unlock human potential and transform futures. Through collaboration, we can work together to create more impactful, sustainable solutions that reach the communities that need them the most.”

Each project under this partnership will be governed by its own specific agreement, which will outline the objectives, scope, budget, roles, and responsibilities of both parties. These project-specific agreements will also reflect a shared commitment to the principle of ensuring that innovations, knowledge, and solutions developed are affordable and accessible to the communities that need them the most.

The Gates Foundation emphasized the importance of long-term partnerships in driving meaningful change. “Collaboration with local and regional partners is key to achieving lasting impact,” said Hari Menon, Director, South and Southeast Asia of the Gates Foundation. “We’re excited to deepen our partnership with the Tanoto Foundation, building on the important work we have done together, starting from our nutrition partnership in Indonesia. By bringing together our complementary strengths, networks, and regional expertise, we can accelerate progress and help improve the lives of millions across Asia.”

Both organizations have a long-standing commitment to addressing systemic societal issues. Tanoto Foundation has over 40 years of experience working across Asia to support education systems, healthcare innovation, and leadership development, while the Gates Foundation has been instrumental in global efforts to eradicate diseases, expand financial inclusion, and improve agricultural productivity.

Media Contacts:

Tanoto Foundation

Yeelim Lee, Head of Communications

Email: Yeelim_lee@tanoto-foundation.org

Dian Anderson, Assistant Manager

Email: dian_anderson@tanoto-foundation.org 

About Gates Foundation:

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, we work with partners to create impactful solutions so that people can take charge of their futures and achieve their full potential. In the United States, we aim to ensure that everyone—especially those with the fewest resources—has access to the opportunities needed to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Bill Gates and our governing board.

More information is available at www.gatesfoundation.org/

About Tanoto Foundation:

At Tanoto Foundation, we unlock human potential, help communities thrive, and create lasting impact. Founded in 1981 by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto, we are an independent family foundation that believes in providing every person with the opportunity to realize his or her full potential. To do so, we catalyze systems change in education and healthcare. Our approach is impact-first, collaborative, and evidence-based. We invest for the long term and strive to develop leaders who can drive sustained, positive outcomes.

More information is available at www.tanotofoundation.org/en/