Global & regional networks on early childhood development

Children lift Earth ball up to the sky.
Children lift Earth ball up to the sky. © Marilyn Gould | Dreamstime Images

Introduction

Urgent action is needed. Millions of children are being denied of the opportunity to develop to their full potential and lead happy and productive lives. Momentum is growing to establish and sustain national, regional, and global networks to develop a common voice to advocate for Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs. Indeed, if we are to reach the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, there is a clear need to establish multi-sectorial partnerships to bring together ECD stakeholders. We need to work together.

Featured in this section are global and regional networks that seek to share knowledge with policy-makers, government officials, international and non-governmental organizations, scholars, practitioners, communities and families to develop innovative approaches to ensure access to quality ECD services for all. 

Explore these networks by scrolling through each of the sections below.

Additional information relating to this work area will be provided when it becomes available.

Topics & initiatives

Three multi-racial children blow a single bubble with earth's reflection.

The ECPC Global Research Network

Working colleagues from across the globe seek to support and participate in this global research network to expand their focus to include the importance of early childhood development in peacebuilding and social cohesion. 
Professionals each hold a piece to a colorful puzzle.

International Networking Group on Peacebuilding with Young Children

This Network includes early child development specialists and organizations from a number of conflict-affected countries.
Multi-racial boys and girls engage in a hand huddle.

Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN)

ECDAN, created in 2016 by the World Bank in consultation with UNICEF and 86 organizations across the globe, aims to create a global enabling environment for partners to scale Nurturing Care in all countries.

Happy Somalian school girls, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Early Childhood Development (ECD) - Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)

AKDN brings together a number of development agencies, institutions, and programmes that work in Asia and Africa. A central feature of the AKDN's approach to development is to design and implement strategies in particular settings to help those in need achieve a level of self-reliance and improve the quality of life.
African children playing in a small preschool in Swaziland.

Africa Early Childhood Network (AFECN)

AFECN is an independent professional network that brings together civil society, academia, private entrepreneurs and individuals at national and regional levels to promote holistic child development.
Two Syrian Kurd refugee boys happily clap their hands (Municipality of Suruc Tent City).

Arab Network for Early Childhood Development (ANECD)

The ANECD is a community of knowledge, information and practice, and a professional forum for consultation, cooperation and advocacy to support the care and development of young children.
 
Happy Vietnamese children hold hand peace signs.

Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood (ARNEC)

ARNEC is a network established to build strong partnerships across sectors and different disciplines, organizations, agencies and institutions in the Asia-Pacific region to advance the agenda on and investment in early childhood.
Mothers and their children in an activity of the "Convidarte para la Paz" programme in the city of Bogotá.

International Center of Education and Human Development (CINDE)

The central axis of CINDE is the creation of suitable environments for the healthy physical and psychosocial development of children and young people living in vulnerable conditions in Colombia.
Happy African children at school.

World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP)

OMEP defends and promotes the rights of the child to education and care worldwide and supports activities which improve accessibility to high quality education and care.

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