The 10th International Research-to-Practice Conference "Early Childhood Care and Education" (ECCE 2020) will be held at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) under the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 27–30, 2020. The event is timed to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the first UNESCO World Conference "Early Childhood Care and Education", which was hosted in Moscow back in 2010. The ECCE Conference is a follow-up to the UNESCO World Conference and aims to achieve the global goal set by the UN, namely to provide universal access to high-quality preschool education by 2030.
ECCE 2020 is placed on the Russian Public Committee's agenda on celebration of the UN's 75th anniversary, which undoubtedly improves the status and the image of the event.
The Conference is traditionally supported by the Russian Ministry of Education, the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education, and the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO.
Russian and foreign preschool education experts, researchers and practitioners in the early childhood field are invited to take part in the event. Students including postgraduate students are granted special participation conditions. In 2020, the ECCE Conference will welcome representatives of more than 70 Russian regions and 40 countries.
ECCE 2020 agenda
Panel discussion "Best Educational Practices". The Conference will present best Russian and foreign practices in preschool education. Since 2018, a wide range of experts have been involved at the federal level to screen relevant practices.
Round Table of Preschool Education Institution Leaders. At the Conference, a round table will be arranged for Russian and foreign kindergarten leaders to share experience on the optimal organization of preschool education institutions.
Round Table of UNESCO Chairs. This round table was a huge success last year; hence the topic of cooperation between UNESCO Chairs gets even more attention in 2020. Heads of Chairs will highlight current activities and discuss further cooperation possibilities on a global scale.
Panel "Goals for Sustainable Development" commemorating the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. The panel will be moderated by Alexey Borisov, First Deputy Chairman of the United Nations Association of Russia, Vice-President of the World Federation of UN Associations.
Panel "Economy and Management of Preschool Education" in partnership with the Center for Continuing Education Economy (CENO) of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA). RANEPA specialists together with International Academy of Preschool Education (IAPE) experts will present the results of a large-scale study on the current preschool education system in Russia. The study was conducted in form of a questionnaire survey of teachers across all Russian regions.
Panel discussion "Small-size Kindergarten". Discussion of methods of work with mixed-age children in preschool institutions in rural areas. Presentation of the Vyatskoye village project included in the UNESCO heritage list.
The Conference will traditionally host the exhibition "Modern Preschool Education" featuring new educational technologies, methodical and academic literature, educational games and toys, as well as equipment for preschool organizations.
On the last day, teachers and parents will get an opportunity to participate in an open educational program with free access to a wide range of lectures, presentations, and master classes held by Russian and foreign experts (pre-registration is required).