Released on September 27, 2010
Education Minister Donna Harpauer has been nominated by the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), to lead the Canadian delegation to the UNESCO World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education - Building the Wealth of Nations (WCECCE) on September 27-29 in Moscow, the first-ever event of this kind. Minister Harpauer will also serve as Vice-Chair of the conference.
The three-day conference will address the unique nature of these early years, and ways to ensure that every child gets a good start in life.
Saskatchewan was chosen to lead this delegation on behalf of CMEC because of our commitment and involvement in linking early childhood policies with PreK - 12 education. Saskatchewan was the first jurisdiction in Canada to move responsibility for child care to its Ministry of Education.
"Leading this delegation, sharing our experiences and learning from others will benefit and inform our work in Saskatchewan as we continue to focus on early learning and childcare as a priority," Harpauer said.
The conference, hosted by the Russian Federation and the City of Moscow, will focus on the importance and benefits of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), both as a human right and as an integral part of development and global efforts in favour of young children.
The delegation will include the Co-ordinator of the International Unit as the CMEC Secretariat official and a member of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.
Approximately 1,200 participants, including policy-makers, researchers, educators and care workers, intergovernmental organizations and United Nations agencies will be attending.
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For more information, contact:
Sarah Still
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1613
Email: sarah.still@gov.sk.ca