What's New in the ISSA Network:
ISSA Members join UNICEF to Promote Early Learning and Development Standards
The recent introduction of the Early Learning and Development Standards
(ELDS) creation process in Tajikistan is just the latest episode in a
long and fruitful cooperation between UNICEF and ISSA members.
Early Childhood Development: CEE/CIS Study Tour to the UK - II
UNICEF, the Open Society Foundation-London, and the International Step
by Step Association (ISSA) in collaboration with the Institute of Education,
University of London, organized a study tour for country teams from Azerbaijan,
Georgia, Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan from 21-25 April 2008. The teams
were made up of representatives of the Ministry of Education, ECD/Education/Step
by Step NGOs and UNICEF; there was also participation from representatives
of the Health, Social Protection and Finance sectors as well as from academics
from institutions of higher education (List
of Participants). Among other things, the objectives of the study
tour were to gain a firsthand understanding of the role of rigorous research
in shaping early childhood policy and influencing practice.
Tailoring a Response to Zero to Three Childcare Needs in Romania
Addressing a serious gap in quality care for children from zero to three
in Romania, ISSA's national Council member in Romania has developed a
unique project which aims to broaden professional and family understanding
of early childhood development, ultimately raising the level of care for
the youngest children.
Monitoring Human Rights: A Conversation with Edgar Lampkin
In April 2008, members of the ISSA Network came together in Istanbul
to participate in a training of trainers in the Education for Social Justice
Program (ESJ). As part of the training, Edgar Lampkin, a trainer in ISSA's
ESJ program, together with an OSI representative, presented OSI's European
Union Monitoring and Advocacy Program (EUMAP), comparing and contrasting
it with the Education for Social Justice Program, and discussing ways
that the programs can complement one another. ISSA talks more with Edgar
Lampkin about the challenges inherent in EUMAP and making schools more
democratic places for all.
ISSA Members' Work with Roma Education Initiative Highlighted in Article in Children in Europe
In their latest issue, Children in Europe took a look at initiatives
which attempt to reverse centuries of inequality experienced by the Roma
community living across many countries in Europe. The article examined
the work of the Roma Education Initiative, a program implemented by seven
ISSA members with funding from the Open Society Institute from 2002-2005.
The article focused on the program in Bulgaria as an example of the work
which was done in all countries. ISSA would like to thank Emil Buzov (Step
by Step Program Foundation Bulgaria), Dawn Tankersley (ISSA), and Zorica
Trikic (Centre for Interactive Pedagogy, Serbia) for their contributions
to the article.
Please visit www.issa.nl for more news from the ISSA Network.
International ECD News:
Aid to Basic Education Stagnating, Says UNESCO
As it continues to launch its 2008 Education For All Global Monitoring
Report
Education for All by 2015: Will We Make it? throughout the world,
UNESCO and the EFA team have raised serious concerns about the likelihood
of meeting EFA goals. The team states that aid commitments are stagnating
and are far lower than what is required to guarantee provision of universal
primary education.
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Enters into Force
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities entered
into force on 3 May 2008, after receiving its 20th ratification. This
marked a major milestone in the effort to promote, protect and ensure
the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms
of persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent
dignity.
Interview with an ISSA Council Member:
Interview: Regina Sabalauskiene Talks about Step by Step and Education in Lithuania
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The Center for Innovative Education Team (from left to right): Regina Sabaliauskiene, Aista Kuraite-Volbekiene, Jolanta Baniuliene, Regina Rimkiene |
ISSA is pleased to introduce a new newsletter feature - an interview
with the Executive Director of an ISSA national member organization. Our
first interview is with Regina Sabaliauskiene, Executive Director of the
Center for Innovative Education in Lithuania.
Regina is an extremely active member of ISSA's network. She is a Quality
Expert (formerly called Regional Anchor) for ISSA's Quality Early Education
Program and is widely involved in partnership projects with other regional
ISSA members. As a member of ISSA's Quality Early Education Program Committee
she is actively involved in strategic planning. Regina is also serving
as Conference Chair for ISSA's upcoming 9th Annual Conference, Active
Citizenship: Democratic Practices in Education, which will take place
in Budapest, 9-12 October 2008. Regina talked with us about her organization,
its work, and education in Lithuania.
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