Last week, Sofia, Bulgaria, transformed into a dazzling epicenter of innovation and inspiration as the ISSA Conference 2024 brought together passionate advocates for Early Childhood Development (ECD). Proudly co-hosted by ISSA and our Bulgarian member, Trust for Social Achievement, the conference gathered 450 ECD professionals from over 50 countries. This vibrant event attracted a dynamic mix of participants from across the ECD ecosystem—from NGOs, foundations, research centers, universities, and international organizations to ministries of education, health, labor, and beyond. Ministerial representatives from 13 countries across Europe and Central Asia joined in, bringing diverse expertise from sectors such as family and social services, science, technology, and innovation. 

With a packed lineup of 140 sessions, attendees explored collaborative strategies to strengthen and enhance ECD systems, all under the unifying theme, “It Takes an Early Childhood Ecosystem for All Young Children to Thrive.” This theme guided discussions across three main areas: 

• Speaking Out for Systemic Change: Tackling barriers like poverty and conflict to make ECD services more accessible, equitable and of quality. 

• Moving Towards Systemic Change: Showcasing policies and programs that contribute to systemic changes that sustainably support families, children, and the ECD workforce. 

• Deliberating About Systemic Change: Considering global challenges such as inequality, conflicts, technology, and environmental shifts to better protect young children’s rights. 

Each focus area sparked engaging discussions and fresh ideas on building supportive, all-encompassing systems for young children worldwide. 

 

Actionable Insights and Inspiring Plenaries 

The conference served up a treasure trove of actionable insights that practitioners could implement immediately. At the same time, it offered ministries, funders, policymakers, and program designers a richer understanding of the real-world impacts and challenges faced on the ground. By blending practitioner-led, bottom-up approaches with evidence-based, top-down frameworks, discussions emphasized creating holistic, inclusive programs that support a well-trained, high-quality workforce and drive lasting change for young children and their families. 

The plenary sessions served as a dynamic forum for diverse perspectives on the future of ECD, with keynote speakers James Cairns and Mathias Urban offering a powerful blend of scientific and societal insights. James, from Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child, emphasized that considerations around early childhood must extend beyond brain development to include diverse factors that can affect children’s overall physical health and wellbeing. He highlighted how developmental environments, from homes to green spaces, profoundly shape children’s growth, health and development, calling for a collaborative, systems-based approach to support this. Mathias, from Dublin University's Early Childhood Research Centre, echoed this call to action, framing early childhood as a “global common good” in need of resilient, justice-oriented systems that address today’s interconnected crises. Both keynote speakers reinforced the urgency of bringing diverse actors to the table across regions and countries, and across professions, underscoring that what benefits young children ultimately uplifts society as a whole. 

 

 

A Vibrant Atmosphere of Real-Time Learning and Exchange 

The conference buzzed with a vibrant atmosphere of real-time learning and exchange. One of the standout moments was a policy panel featuring representatives from health, education, and social policy ministries from three different countries, who shared practical strategies to elevate ECD on national agendas and to strengthen the multi-sectoral coordination. Plenary speakers regularly drew upon insights shared by practitioners during concurrent sessions, creating a dynamic flow of ideas that connected the stage with the various sessions and panels. Policymakers were energized by these discussions, some even committing during the discourse to engage their colleagues in finance ministries earlier in ECD initiatives to maximize impact. This was truly a knowledge exchange and collaborative learning experience, seamlessly bridging the gap between policy and practice while igniting actionable ideas across all sectors. 

 

Networks as Catalysts for Systemic Change 

A powerful theme that resonated throughout the conference was the critical role of networks in driving transformative change. Representatives from global networks like ECDAN and Act for Early Years Campaign, alongside the Regional Networks for Europe/Central Asia and the Arab region (ISSA and ANECD), and country/local networks represented by ISSA member organizations, demonstrated how collaborative actions expand reach and facilitate swift responses to complex challenges, from inequity and climate change to conflict. Regional Networks, in particular, were highlighted as catalysts for driving a movement and an essential infrastructure especially during times of crisis, helping local actors deliver culturally relevant support that meets communities’ real needs. By connecting local and global efforts, these networks strengthen resilience and ensure that every investment in ECD has a lasting impact and reaches young children and their families. 

 

Celebrating Milestones and Shaping Future Pathways 

Amid the excitement, the conference celebrated two significant anniversaries: 25 years of ISSA and 30 years of the Step by Step Program. In a special plenary session, co-authors of Early Childhood Education in Social and Political Transitions: The Legacy of the Open Society Foundations Step by Step Program—Sarah Klaus, Jan Peeters, and Tatjana Vona—along with several Step-by-Step program pioneers, invited attendees to reflect on the program’s legacy. Together, they explored how the solid foundation laid through the program across 30 countries continues to shape inclusive, high-quality early childhood education, inspiring further adaptive and responsive approaches to meet current and future challenges. 

 

Onward and Upward 

As the 2024 ISSA Conference came to a close, there was a palpable sense of unity and purpose, as if together we had symbolically crafted a map of the early childhood ecosystem through everyone’s contributions. Participants returned home with new insights, stronger connections, and a shared commitment to creating supportive ecosystems for young children. This collective dedication, fuelled by fresh ideas and actionable tools, drives us all closer to the goal of making quality Early Childhood Development a reality for every child, everywhere. 

Stay connected! View photos from the conference on the ISSA Conference 2024 Recap page. Presentations will be posted on the same page in the coming weeks. Continue the conversation we started at the conference by joining our LinkedIn Group. Stay in the know by signing up for our newsletter. And please help us spread the word about these exciting development by sharing this article with others. See you at the next ISSA Conference!