From 27 to 30 May 2024, the inaugural Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Early Childhood Development (ECD) took place in Georgetown, Penang, drawing 507 participants from 48 countries. The conference, officiated by YB Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri, Minister of Women, Family, and Community Development, was a landmark event for ECD in the region. Keynote speakers included distinguished figures such as Datuk Dr. Chiam Heng Keng, Joan Lombardi from Stanford University, Bhavreen Kandhari of Warrior Moms, and Frances Aboud from McGill University.
Themed “Investing in Early Childhood Development (ECD): An Effective Pathway for Building Resilience and Boosting Sustainable Development,” the event featured engaging roundtable discussions between global ministers, decision-makers, civil society leaders, and academia. The dialogue centred on critical challenges in early childhood development and innovative strategies to support its advancement.
SEGi College Subang Jaya played a pivotal role in this milestone event, with Ms. Carolyn Choo, alongside SEGi College Penang lecturers and students, contributing to the smooth execution of the programme. Their involvement underscored SEGi’s commitment to the advancement of early childhood education, further positioning the institution as a leader in the field.
The programme featured a variety of presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities, providing participants with innovative tools and approaches to tackle pressing ECD challenges. The conference’s objective of raising the standard of early childhood education in the region aligns closely with global efforts to enhance the well-being and development of young children.
As the global focus on early childhood development intensifies, the Asia-Pacific Regional Conference has laid a strong foundation for continued collaboration among international experts. By uniting key stakeholders in the field, the conference ensured progress toward improving ECD practices and outcomes globally, with a lasting impact on future generations.
This event is organised in support of the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
SDG 4 – Quality Education
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
