Integrated early childhood development policy in Iran: a stakeholder analysis

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Development Studies
• Policy Analysis

Background:

• Integrated Early Childhood Development (IECD) policy-making involves numerous stakeholders, presenting significant challenges, particularly in developing nations like Iran.
• Identifying these stakeholders and understanding their interactions is vital for effective IECD policy development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify potential stakeholders involved in Iran's IECD policy-making process.
• To analyze the interactions, power dynamics, and interests of these stakeholders.

Main Methods:

• A two-phase mixed-methods study was conducted in 2018.
• Phase one involved semi-structured interviews and document review to identify stakeholders and their roles.
• Phase two assessed stakeholders' power, interest, and position using a checklist, leading to stakeholder mapping and analysis.

Main Results:

• Various governmental, semi-governmental, social, non-governmental, and international organizations influence IECD policy in Iran.
• Stakeholders exhibit diverse levels of power, interest, and position, impacting policy outcomes.
• Low support for IECD policy is attributed to organizational competition, complexity, insufficient budget, low awareness, lack of priority, economic focus, and managerial commitment issues.

Conclusions:

• Weak stakeholder interactions hinder equal opportunities for optimal early childhood development.
• Recommendations include high-level advocacy, negotiation, establishing a coordinating body, leveraging NGOs, clarifying roles, and increasing public awareness.