Webinar: Empowering Local Governments to strengthen the local Early Childhood system. Launch of the ECD Toolbox for Local Governments
To watch the recording in English, Bosnian-Croatian-Montenegrin-Serbian, Hungarian, or Ukrainian, click here.
To access the new ECD Toolbox, click here.
Contacts: Mihaela Ionescu mionescu@issa.nl; Vidur Chopra vchopra@unicef.org
Why This Matters: The early years (0-6 years) are foundational for a child's development and future success. Despite many services available for young children and their families, disparities in access and quality persist, particularly affecting the most marginalized. Local governments play a critical role in bridging these gaps and ensuring all children receive timely and responsive support they need to thrive.
Webinar Highlights:
- Discover the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Toolbox for local governments, developed by UNICEF and the International Step by Step Association (ISSA), designed to enhance local early childhood systems.
- Engage with representatives from key local authorities across Europe as they share their valuable insights and experiences.
- Learn about the challenges and opportunities local governments face and how the ECD Toolbox can be a game-changer for giving young children the best start in life.
- Connect with professionals, policymakers, and local government representatives dedicated to advancing early childhood development.
Key Objectives:
- Highlight the pivotal role of local governments in strengthening early childhood systems and services for young children.
- Promote a comprehensive view of local early childhood systems, integrating various policies, services, and stakeholders.
- Showcase the ECD Toolbox and its potential to improve coordination, efficiency, and effectiveness of early childhood systems.
- Bridge policy initiatives and local action by featuring the Toolbox's multidimensional capabilities.
Target Audience:
- Local Government Representatives (Mayors, Vice Mayors, Council Members)
- National government representatives working with local authorities
- Employees in the Mayor’s Office
- Local Partners and Stakeholders
- Professionals in Early Childhood Development
- Policymakers and Researchers
Agenda:
- Opening Remarks and Introduction (5 min) - UNICEF and ISSA Representative
- Introduction to the ECD Toolbox (15 min) - ISSA Representative
- Panel Discussion (30 min) - Featuring insights from local authority representatives
- Interactive Q&A Session (10 min) - Your chance to engage directly
- Closing Remarks (5 min) - UNICEF and ISSA Representative
Meet Our Panelists & Discussants:
- Franca Locati – Head of Project Office Education Department, Municipality of Milan
- Martina Glasnović – Head of Department Preschool Department, Municipality of Zagreb
- Cosmina Simean Nicolescu – General Director of Social Assistance, Municipality of Bucharest
- Judit Szentirmai – Senior Advisor Coordinator of Services for Families and Young Children, Municipality of Budapest
- Stefan Iszkowski, Policy Officer, Social Rights and Inclusion Unit, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission
Don’t miss this opportunity to empower your municipality with the tools and knowledge to make a lasting impact on early childhood development.