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Children first - Designing sustainable early childhood education

We are very sad to inform you that the Children first conference is cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We will send further information to all the participants and presenters as soon as possible.

 

We are happy to invite you to discuss and learn together about sustainable early childhood education. To address the issues, we are announcing an International conference held on 4-7 May 2020 in Helsinki, Finland. It is the responsibility of teachers, researchers, directors and other professionals to create an effective pedagogical environment. Strong ECEC supports a sustainable childhood and helps to build a healthy and prosperous society.

You are warmly welcome to Helsinki and join our international ECEC conference!

Stay tuned for more information. Follow us: #childrenfirst2020

Conference is organised by Finnish National Agency for Education in co-operation with Ministry of Education and Culture, City of Helsinki, City of Espoo,  City of Vantaa, Playful Learning center, University of Helsinki, Kindergarten Teachers Union in Finland and Central Union for Child Welfare.

Program

The conference program offers presentations of best early childhood education practices and innovations by international and Finnish experts, researchers and practitioners. You will hear latest facts based on ECEC research. You can also visit Finnish ECEC centres and see sustainable early childhood education and care in practice and meet colleagues.

Familiarize yourself with the detailed conference program below:

4.5. Optional study visits, registration, optional social program, evening program, University of Helsinki Rector's reception for researchers and scientists

5.5. Conference opening, keynote speeches, workshop sessions, café & sofa discussions, Helsinki city welcoming reception, exhibions, interactive poster sessions

6.5. Keynote speeches, workshop sessions, café discussions, exhibions, interactive poster sessions, conclusions & gala dinner

7.5. Optional study visits, optional social program

The program is built around five themes:

  • pedagogically strong early childhood education
  • ecologically strong early childhood education
  • socially strong early childhood education
  • culturally strong early childhood education
  • economically strong early childhood education.

See also what Director General Olli-Pekka Heinonen writes about conference themes in our Blog.

Would you like be in frontline in developing sustainable future? You are warmly welcome to participate in a joint global debate.

Conference is aimed at all ECEC professionals; teachers, students, directors and reseachers.

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Keynote speakers

We are pleased to introduce you our keynote speakers:

  • Li Andersson, Minister of Education at Ministry of Education and Culture, Finland
  • Tracey Burns, Senior Analyst, OECD
  • Heidi Harju-Luukkainen, Professor of Education at Nord university, Norway
  • Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General at Finnish National Agency for Education, Finland
  • Kristiina Kumpulainen, Professor of Education at University of Helsinki, Finland
  • Marja-Kirstiina Lerkkanen, Professor of Education at University of Jyväskylä, Finland
  • Géraldine Libreau, Policy Officer for ECEC at European Comission
  • Kathy Sylva, Emeritus Professor of Educational Psychology at University of Oxford, Great Britain
  • Arjen Wals, Professor of Transformative Learning for Socio-ecological Sustainability at Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands

More information about keynote speakers here >>

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We are very sad to inform you that the Children first conference is cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We will send further information to all the participants and presenters as soon as possible.

 

Registration fees

Finnish National Agency for Education will not charge any registration fees due to the cancellation of the conference caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

In case you have made accommodation or transportation reservations, please remember to cancel them.

Please notice that the Finnish National Agency for Education is not responsible for any costs the registered participants may incur resulting from the cancellation of the conference.

 

Early Bird Fee 558 € (including VAT 24 %) until 20 March 2020

Regular Fee 657 € (including VAT 24 %) from 21 March until 30 April 2020

Student Early Bird Fee 279 € (including VAT 24 %) until 20 March 2020 for full-time students (bachelor's and master's degree)

Student Regular Fee 328 € (including VAT 24 %) from 21 March  until 30 April 2020 for full-time students (bachelor's and master's degree)

The registration fees include the conference program and the coffee breaks (morning and afternoon) and lunches during the conference days 5-6 May.

Optional program and fees

4 and 7 May - Attending to a study visit 25 €* each (including VAT 24 %)

4 May - Visit to The Trade Union of Education and Early Childhood Education Teachers Union free of charge

4 May - University of Helsinki Rector's Reception for researchers and scientists free of charge

5 May - Helsinki City Welcome Reception at Helsinki town hall free of charge

6 May - Gala Dinner at The Finnish Science Centre Heureka 55 €** (including VAT 24 %)

* The 25 € fee for each study visit includes a guided transportation from Messukeskus to the chosen destinations and back.
** The 55 € fee for Gala Dinner at Heureka inculdes a dinner, a possibility to visit Heureka's exhibitions and other program.

Cancellation policy

The registration is binding, no refunds will be given after registration. Registration can be transferred to another participant if needed.

Finnish National Agency for Education will not charge any registration fees due to the cancellation of the conference caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

In case you have made accommodation or transportation reservations, please remember to cancel them.

Please notice that the Finnish National Agency for Education is not responsible for any costs the registered participants may incur resulting from the cancellation of the conference.

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Call for papers is now closed. We got many proposals from all over the world and we are currently checking them through. Many interesting subjects will be added to our program soon! Thank you for your participation.

Partners

Conference is organised by Finnish National Agency for Education in co-operation with Ministry of Education and Culture, City of Helsinki, City of Espoo, City of Vantaa, Playful Learning center, University of Helsinki, Early Childhood Education Teachers Union in Finland and Central Union for Child Welfare.

Early childhood education and care in Finland

Early childhood is a phase of intense development and learning. The mission of ECEC is to promote children’s holistic growth, development and learning in collaboration with their guardians. Learning through play is essential. Understanding the importance and pedagogical possibilities of play for the child in the promotion of wellbeing and learning is essential for ECEC.

About us

Our core tasks in Finnish National Agency for Education are to develop education and training, early childhood education and lifelong learning and to promote internationalization in Finland.

Call for papers

Call for papers is now closed. We got many proposals from all over the world and we are currently checking them through. Many interesting subjects will be added to our program soon! Thank you for your participation.

Blog

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