Mark your calendar!
Child care and early learning researchers, policy makers, activists and early learning and child care practitioners, as well as those with a broader interest in social development, social policy and social justice from across Canada will meet in Winnipeg for a major policy conference.
This conference's theme explores the way that childcare functions as a social and economic driver for many interconnected issues. High-quality childcare and early learning strengthens our social foundations - it benefits children, women, parents, families, and communities - ultimately, it benefits all Canadians.
This exciting pan-Canadian conference will feature inspiring speakers such as:
- Stephen Lewis, UN Special Envoy
- Pauline Marois, Quebec Education Critic
- Abrar Hasan, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Ingemar Lindberg, Director (retired), Landsorganisation, Sweden
Other highlights include a panel discussion on the multiple purposes of early childhood education and care featuring:
- Donna S. Lero, Ph.D, Jarislowsky Chair in Families & Work Research Director, Centre for Families, Work & Well-Being, University of Guelph;
- Judy Rebick, Sam Gindin Chair in Social Justice and Democracy, Ryerson University;
- Nancy Neamtan, President & CEO, Chantier de l'économie sociale
Conference workshops will cover a wide range of thought-provoking topics including:
- the demographic challenges posed by changing families, populations, and employment patterns;
- the economics of investing in child care;
- mobilizing the workforce for early learning and child care;
- the challenges of providing early leaning and child care in rural and Aboriginal communities;
- contributions to social inclusion and social cohesion;
- jurisdictional and financing issues.
This conference will provide ample time for a rich dialogue and debate during sessions like the special Town Hall Meeting on Child Care. It is expected that the ideas generated from the conference will influence public policy and public perception about early learning and child care and help set the agenda for the next decade.
More information is forthcoming.
