Education Minister Jennifer Smith today proclaimed this week ‘Week of the Young Child' saying she was a “firm believer that children deserve to be celebrated 365 days of the year”.The Bermuda Association for the Education of Young Children is spearheading the initiative and is hosting a week of child focused activities aimed at empowering children and those who care for them.Dame Jennifer said: “Your theme, ‘Investing in Young Children, Benefits All', is truly fitting because today's child is the next generation's leader and they will put forth what we have invested in them. Our job, then, is to ensure we invest good things.“If our community is to have good, strong leaders in the future, we must build and develop good, strong children who will grow into good, strong and successful adults.“I think that it is important for all of us to embrace the ‘Week of the Young Child' as a chance to celebrate the young children in our lives, to focus public attention on their needs, and to acknowledge the importance of the people and programmes that care for and educate them.“To the members of the Bermuda Association for the Education of Young Children, to the organisers, participants and educators who worked to make this week possible, I salute you for your hard work and dedication. Be assured that your efforts on behalf of our children do not go unnoticed.”