The Power of Early Childhood Education

10/01/2004

The Power of Early Childhood Education

"It's a tortoise that discounts the value of a pair of fast legs." - Japanese Proverb

The Power of Early Childhood Education

The overall theme of the World Forum on Early Care and Education in Montreal will be "The Power of Early Childhood Education." This theme will be examined in many contexts over the four days of this internatonal gathering May 17 - 20, 2005.

And in just a few weeks, the power of early childhood programs as a healing force will be explored in depth during the first ever Working Forum -- "Building Bridges: Healing Communities Through Early Childhood Education -- Powerful lessons from Northern Ireland, Albania, Columbia, Croatia, Mali, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa and the United States" which will take place November 17 - 20, 2004 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Many readers have asked us if Working Forum Belfast will only be of interest to individuals from nations in the midst of conflict. This is a valid question, and the answer is "No!"

Presenters in Belfast, the Working Team, are early childhood professionals from communities in conflict -- the nations listed in the title. This Working Team will be meeting in Belfast for several days prior to Working Forum Belfast to share experiences and develop common strategies.

On November 18 - 19, the Working Team will share these ideas with the broader early childhood community. They will share not only approaches that they have developed for bringing divided communities back together after a period of conflict, but also ideas for dealing with conflict and healing separations in a wide variety of classroom and community settings.

All early childhood professionals will be able to appreciate and benefit from the sharing that takes place during these two days. It is, as Working Forum suggests, an in-depth opportunity, highly interactive, based on presentations and small discussion groups. Everyone will work, share, challenge, change. Join us.

To learn more about Working Forum Belfast, go to www.worldforum2005.com.

For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.