The conference objectives:

- To show what theories can mean in practice for the education of young children
- To show the importance of the education of young children in professionalizing the field
- To show the preventive effects of early childhood education
- To show the main approaches in early childhood education in Europe and in the United States of America
- To show which curricula are effective and which approach would be best: a holistic approach or a more specific approach
- To stimulate policy-makers to allocate funds for the education of young children

Achieving these objectives

1: Internationally recognized experts will provide their visions on global developments in early childhood education.

2: An interesting and lively programme will be offered, with a mixture of plenary sessions, workshops and panel discussions. For more detailed information about the speakers and the programme: Speakers and Programme

3: During the conference, a number of internationally recognized organizations in the field of early childhood education will take part in an information market.

Speakers include:

- W. Steven Barnett
- Kathy Sylva
- Jay Belsky
- Larry Schweinhart
- Catherine Snow