International conference on early childhood education and care will bring together academia, preschool educators and officials

Batumi, Georgia. 27 January, 2021. The International Conference dedicated to promoting academic discussion and knowledge exchange on access, quality and inclusion in early childhood education and care will be held on June 2-3 in Batumi. The announcement was made today in Batumi by the organizers of the conference – the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of Adjara AR, Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University and UNICEF Georgia.

The two-day conference aims to promote academic discussion and knowledge exchange on access, quality and inclusion and to increase awareness of the importance of early childhood education among policymakers and wider public. The conference will bring together professors and students, Government officials, local and international experts, diplomats, international and civil society organizations in Georgia to discuss challenges, approaches and new perspectives in early childhood education and care in Georgia.

The International Conference will provide a space to share experience among educators and policymakers on the impact of COVID-19 on early childhood education and care, on innovative and alternative approaches. The conference participants will discuss professional competences and quality standards in preschool education, as well as early childhood education governance and policy.

“We are happy to host yet another international conference, organized by UNICEF. With support from UNICEF and the Norwegian government a Child Rights Center is being established in the Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University. The Center will serve as a resource hub and raise awareness on child rights among different specialists, civil society organizations, academia, parents and children. We will make sure that the center also serves as a hub for preschool educators, for their further professional development,” said Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University Rector, Dr. Merab Khalvashi.

“We are grateful to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of Adjara AR for taking the lead in organizing and to the Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University for hosting this international conference. We look forward to the exchange of knowledge, experience and insight which this conference will offer to early childhood and care experts, educators and policymakers“, said UNICEF Representative in Georgia, Dr. Ghassan Khalil. “We hope the International Conference and the Child Rights Centre at the University will contribute to further strengthening quality preschool education and creating a stronger culture of child rights in Georgia so that every child has the best start in life”, Khalil added.

Early childhood education is crucial for every child as it lays the foundation for further growth and development. Investments in early childhood development impacts not only the health, well-being, learning and protection of young children, but also economic growth in the country over the medium and long term.