International Conference on Early Childhood Development ISSA
What is the International Step by Step Association ISSA?
ISSA's membership includes more than 90 non-profit organizations from almost all continents, primarily Europe and Asia.
The network aims to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood development (ECD) and investment in qualified staff. ISSA is also an advocacy community fighting for competent DDR systems for all children, especially vulnerable children.
The members of ISSA from Bulgaria to date are the Trust for Social Achievement Foundation (TSA), the For Our Children Foundation, and the Foundation for Children at Risk around the world.
ISSA supports the development of quality, equitable, and integrated services for children, parents, and professionals.
Our Executive Director, Mrs. Emilia Kardzhilova, was one of the first members, along with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emil Bouzov.
At that time (2009-2014), Mrs. Kardzhilova was Program Director and Executive Director of the Foundation for Children at Risk in the World.
Mrs. Kardzhilova was given the opportunity to attend the conference in Sofia, and the fee (at discounted pricing—ISSA Members & Groups: €360, Non-Members: €435 euros) was paid by the organizers. We are grateful for this opportunity, without which it would not have been possible to attend and participate in all 140 sessions.
An international conference on early childhood development entitled "It Takes an Early Childhood Ecosystem for All Young Children to Thrive" was held in Sofia on October 22-24, 2024, organized by the International Step by Step Association (ISSA) and the Trust for Social Achievement (TSA).
This is the fourth conference organized by ISSA and the first to be held in an Eastern European country. The conference in Sofia is also special because it marks the 25th anniversary of the first such conference, as well as the 30th anniversary of ISSA.
The conference has international significance and attracted specialists from all over the world. It was conducted entirely live and in English without translation.
The event was implemented in partnership with the For Our Children Foundation, with support from the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, the Ministry of Health, and Sofia Municipality.
The conference is a unique platform for dialogue between leading world experts.
It gives you the opportunity to learn from your colleagues as well as to share the acquired knowledge and experience. Together, we explore relevant topics through discussions and interactive sessions, and share lessons learned and proven solutions that benefit you directly in your work.
Panel1: Advocating for systemic change
Identify the systemic changes needed to improve childhood experience and overcome challenges.
Involve the voices of children, families and professionals in creating appropriate solutions.
Presenting successful advocacy efforts and resources that inspire global early childhood prioritization.
Panel 2: Progress towards systemic change
Highlighting local and national policies and programmes that enhance the quality of childhood experiences.
Analysing successful and unsuccessful initiatives to inform effective systemic changes.
Seeking successful approaches to empower children, families and communities to participate in decisions affecting their well-being.
Encouraging competent and supported early childhood development professionals who contribute to systemic improvements.
Panel 3: Systemic change dialogue
Exploring contemporary challenges affecting early childhood development systems worldwide.
Integrate policy-making, research and the development of practical programmes to co-create timely solutions.
Learning from existing evidence and programs to ensure quality childhood for all young children.
Funding of the participation with a presentation at the conference by the Trust for Social Achievement Foundation:
TSA provides the opportunity to cover the participation fee of experts whose abstracts are approved by the Conference Programme Committee.
Criteria for the choice of topic:
1. The presentation touches on a topical topic on the agenda of the institutions and/or the civil society in Bulgaria, related to one of the following three thematic areas:
1.1. Access to quality early learning and care services;
1.2. Key dimensions of quality early education, including processes and interactions; monitoring, documentation and evaluation; partnerships with families and communities; diversity, including diversity of the workforce, etc.;
1.3. Health and social aspects of access to and full participation in pre-primary and primary education.
When selecting presentations for funding by TSA, an appropriate balance will be sought between the three thematic areas.
2. The topic of the presentation has the potential to contribute to changing policies and practices at the system level in Bulgaria.
3. The theme is focused on the opportunities, interests and needs of children and families from vulnerable communities.
Indicatively, TSA supported the participation of up to 10 experts, encouraging presentations by partner teams.
Eligible applicants for funding from TSA for participation with a presentation in the event are representatives of non-profit organizations, kindergartens and schools, based on a proven need for financial support. In the case of a presentation by an international team, the team must include an expert from Bulgaria.
How to apply for financial support?
To apply for financial support from TSA, you should simultaneously submit an abstract to the Conference Programme Committee and send your abstract to TSA at the email address kindergarten240@tsa-bulgaria.org, accompanied by a motivation of the need for financial support (in free text).
The decision to approve the submitted proposals is taken by the Program Committee of the Conference, and the TCA may decide to grant financial aid for the participation of speakers only on condition that their abstracts have been approved.
Conference programme
Tuesday 22 October
o 9:00 - 18:00 Pre-conference events
19:00 Welcome reception
Wednesday 23 October
o 8:00 - 18:00 Registration and information desk are open
o 9:00 - 9:30 Opening Ceremony
o 9:30 - 10:15 Plenary session
o 10:15 - 10:30 Room change break
o 10:30 - 12:00 Parallel sessions 1
o 12:00 - 12:30 Coffee break
o 12:30 - 13:30 Parallel sessions 2
o 13:30 - 14:15 Lunch
o 14:15 - 14:45 Networking
o 14:45 - 16:15 Parallel sessions 3
o 16:15 - 16:45 Coffee break
o 16:45 - 17:45 Parallel sessions 4
o 19:00 - Official dinner (optional upon registration)
Thursday 24 October
o 8:00 - 18:00 Registration and information desk are open
o 9:00 - 10:30 Parallel sessions 5
o 10:30 - 10:45 Room change pause
o 10:45 - 11:30 Plenary session
o 11:30 - 12:00 Coffee break
o 12:00 - 13:30 Parallel sessions 6
o 13:30 - 14:15 Lunch
o 14:15 - 14:45 Networking
o 14:45 - 16:15 Parallel sessions 7
o 16:15 - 16:45 Coffee break
o 16:45 - 17:30 Plenary Session and Closing Ceremony
o 19:00 Dinner at different restaurants (optional upon registration)
Friday 25 October
o Site visits (optional upon registration)
o Sightseeing tours (optional upon registration)
For more information-->
If you are interested in partnership, please contact us by e-mail.