May 2009 marks the inauguration of the first annual University of Victoria Early Years Institute. In many respects, the Early Years Institute is a new name for a long tradition at the University of Victoria (UVic). Starting in the late 1980s, Dr. Alan Pence and colleagues has offered a series of national Summer Institutes that focused on a variety of ECE leadership issues. In 2006, Dr. Alan Pence in collaboration with Dr. Veronica Pacini-Ketchabaw began offering a series of Early Years Forums through the auspices of the Investigating Quality (IQ) Project. The Early Years Institute incorporates elements of these previous early years events and will allow participants to focus on issues of quality programming and leadership. The Institute will feature some of the most creative thinkers currently working nationally and internationally in early childhood education and care. Our keynote speakers, along with workshop presenters, bring a broad range of experience from around the world.

Keynote speakers for the event are:

Dr. Glenda Mac Naughton from the University of Melbourne where she established and directs the Centre for Equity and Innovation in Early Childhood.

Dr. Cheryl Rau from Aotearoa/New Zealand. She is currently the Project Coordinator for Ngahihi Incorporated, a Maori led organization providing kaupapa Maori teacher professional learning programs, in Hamilton, Aotearoa.

Dr. Helen Penn from the University of East London. She is Professor of Early Childhood at the institution and is co-director of the International Centre for the Study of the Mixed Economy of Childcare.

Registration will begin on February 15, 2009 and will close on April 15th, 2009. The participation fee is $80 for self-funded front-line ECEs and students; $100 for program directors and program sponsored individuals; and, $120 for college and university instructors, government officials, and others. Space is limited.


See event flyer for more information on speakers and program details.

CONFERENCE OVERVIEW

Canada and the world – Hear how Canada measures up
John Bennett, an expert on world issues on Early Learning, along with Canadian experts, Jane Bertrand, Professor at George Brown College and Jane Beach, former Director of Childcare and ECD Consultant, will debate and discuss Canada's place in the context of the world views on Early Learning and Schools.

An interactive summit
Participants will have many opportunities – designed into the schedule of the conference – to share, discuss, problem-solve and debate in small interest groups as well as to challenge and question the keynote speakers and provincial presenters.

Attendees can anticipate
- Keynote speeches interspersed throughout the day
- Facilitated small group meetings on specific issues
- Networking opportunities both formal and informal
- The opportunity to assist in planning further cross-Canada events to build this new network

The Atkinson Centre, OISE, University of Toronto School of Early Childhood Education, Ryerson University and School of Early Childhood, and George Brown College present Dr. Susan Prentice from the Department of Sociology, University of Manitoba.

Across North America, childcare is increasingly discussed in economic terms. This 'business case' has motivated new interest and new champions and seems to hold promise for the ECEC sector. At the same time the economic frame displaces concerns that have long been central to the field, including gender justice and children's rights. How should ECEC practitioners weigh the potential gains and losses of this new approach?

Susan Prentice is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology, University of Manitoba. Her primary field of research is contemporary and historical childcare policy and advocacy.

To register, please RSVP to the contact email below with "Prentice" as the subject. Light refreshments will be provided.

Description:

A new study for the IRPP by Gordon Cleveland and his colleagues: "New Evidence on Child Care in Canada: Use Patterns, Affordability, Quality" shows that the use of nonparental and regulated early learning and child care is widespread, that many families spend a considerable amount annually purchasing child care, but that the quality of much child care is too low.

The direction of child care policy has been a bone of contention between the major federal parties. Now that the federal election is over, it is a good time to re-evaluate policy directions, taking into account the latest evidence.

Please join the Institute for Research on Public Policy in a discussion between one of the authors of this new work, and other child care policy experts: Gordon Cleveland (University of Toronto Scarborough), Sarah Fortin (IRPP), Martha Friendly (Childcare Resource and Research Unit) with comments from Linda White (University of Toronto).

To RSVP, please register online. As space is limited, you are encouraged to register no later than December 2, 2008.

This annual summer institute, which was established in 1995, brings together senior policymakers and leading researchers to review recent research findings and to discuss major directions in social policy. It is organized by the School of Policy Studies of Queen's University with support from Human Resources and Social Development Canada, the Policy Research Initiative of the Government of Canada, and the Government of Ontario. This year's theme, The New Poverty Agenda: Reshaping Policies in the 21st Century, explores the patterns of poverty today, highlighting changes from the past. It assesses policy responses, concentrating in particular on the problems facing working-age individuals and families and their children. The program explores the implications of the new patterns of poverty for key social programs. It also explores the potential contribution of mobilizing networks of public, private and community groups at the local level. Finally, it turns to the politics of poverty in the 21st century, asking whether poverty can be a priority. To register, click on the link below and follow Step 1.

The OMEP World Seminar is one of OMEP major activities every year, and OMEP Canada has the mandate to host it this year. The World Seminar will be held in Québec City and more that 350 delegates from more than 60 countries will participate.

For 60 years, many such meetings have taken place. They are essential forums for achieving OMEP's objectives and reputation. They help share the knowledge, competencies and know-how of resource persons from the five continents, and convey common values, in accordance with the OMEP philosophy and mission adhered to by the members.

In 2001, at the World Congress in Santiago, Chile, OMEP adopted a work plan based on the education for a culture of peace and non-violence, within the world decade dedicated to this theme by UNESCO. The Seminar on Nurturing Peace Together with Children will likely be the crowning achievement of this work.

The Seminar will be a significant occasion as OMEP will be celebrating its 60th anniversary, and the Canadian Committee of OMEP its 50th anniversary. Furthermore, Quebec, our host city, will be celebrating the 400th anniversary of its foundation.

Among many keynote speakers will be Ms. Michèle S. Jean, President of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, Ottawa, Dr. Verónica Romo López, professor, Universidad Central, Santiago, Chile, Dr. Diane Levin, professor, Wheelock College, Boston, USA, Dr. Patricia Tarr, professor, University of Calgary, Alberta.

The manifesto of our guest of honour, Mr. Paul Gérin- Lajoie, first holder of the Québec Ministry of Education, will be read during the closing ceremony.

Join leaders in early education at the fifth annual Summer Institute for a daylong series of workshops, group discussions and presentations.

The appointment of an Early Learning Advisor for the province of Ontario provides an opportunity to review the status of pre-service education for early childhood educators and for primary education teachers. Given the current climate of difference and distinction between the two professional domains, this year's Summer Institute provides an opportunity to discuss, evaluate and strategize the teacher education programs for both professions in Ontario.

The 2008 Summer Institute, co-hosted by George Brown College and the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, brings together professionals, policy experts, teachers, early childhood practitioners, university and college faculty, and researchers. Breaking the silos of teacher education and early childhood education provides an opportunity to consult, plan, and collaborate on the professional training needs of educators for integrated early learning environments.

The exceptional contributions of Aster Fessahai to the early childhood profession will also be celebrated. Hear her ideas about the future of the early years profession in Ontario.

The conference will be followed by a wine and cheese reception.

Forum sponsored by Ryerson University.

An opportunity to learn about options and share feedback.

Presented by:
the Steering Committee of the Common Table for Childhood Development and Care
Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario
Family Support Institute Ontario
Middle Childhood Matters Coalition
Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care
Ontario Early Years Network

The Institute of Child Study at the University of Toronto presents the 2008 Leighton G. McCarthy Memorial Panel Discussion.

Panelists include:

The Hon. Margaret Norrie McCain
Former Lt. Gov. N.B.; Co-chair, Ontario 's Early Years Study 1 & 2; ICS Special Advisor

Prof. Carl Corter Atkinson Charitable Fdn. Chair, Early Child Development & Education
Janet Davis Councillor, Chair, Children's Services Committee, Toronto
Hon. Ken Dryden MP, York Central, Lib; Chair, Caucus Com. on Social Development
Frances Lankin President/CEO United Way Toronto
Paul Tough New York Times Magazine editor; Author/writer on children's education
Justin Trudeau Liberal candidate, Papineau; Youth, children, & environment advocate