ISSA, a leading network of early childhood development organizations from Europe and Central Asia, proudly invites you to participate in its 2014 Conference and celebrate its 15th anniversary. The conference will be an opportunity for shared learning and a joint exploration to re-consider early childhood services for children from birth through primary school. The event will draw together reform experiences from the last 25 years, as well as innovations, evidence and practices in early childhood systems.

The Conference will explore three main strands: ensuring that democratic values and principles are integral to early childhood practices; reaching and supporting all children in their earliest years, to reduce the gap in equity between the majority of young children and the most disadvantaged; and identifying successful approaches to develop comprehensive services that link care, health, education and social assistance systems.

Practitioners, researchers, policy makers, parents and NGOs from Europe and Central Asia will be joined by peers from around the globe.

The event marks the 20th anniversary of the Open Society Foundations’ Step by Step Program and the 15th anniversary of ISSA.

The conference is organized in partnership with the Open Society Foundations, UNICEF, DECET and Partners Hungary Foundation.

Questions about the conference can be addressed to:

Krisztina Csidei, Event Organizer, BCD Travel: krisztina.csidei@bcdtravel.hu

Eva Izsak, Membership Officer, ISSA: eizsak@issa.nl