Description: This working paper focuses on some of the issues and challenges faced in developing early childhood programmes to promote racial and ethnic diversity in societies characterised by deep divisions and/or conflict. The central argument of the paper is that the development, delivery and evaluation of such programmes need to be informed by three core values that are children’s rights-based, outcomes-focused, and evidence-informed. This paper looks at case studies from Northern Ireland to draw lessons on developing programmes to promote ethnic diversity in early childhood. The author, Paul Connolly, is a professor at Queen’s University Belfast and the founding Co-Director of the Joint Learning Initiative on Children and Ethnic Diversity.