NEWSLETTER OMEP Europe Spring 2009 · NEWSLETTER OMEP Europe Spring 2009 And to conclude with, I...

NEWSLETTER OMEP Europe Spring 2009

Content

From the OMEP Vice President for Europe 2

Dear colleagues and friends 2

Chers amis et collègues 3

Estimados colegas, queridos amigos 4

Minutes of the OMEP European Regional Meeting 6

Syros Reflection 12

Next World Congress in Lagos, Nigeria 14

Invitation to the ISSA Conference 15

New Books 17


From the OMEP Vice President for Europe Dear colleagues, dear friends, You are holding the Spring 2009 issue of the European Region Newsletter. The main aim of this Spring Newsletter is to inform you of the European Conference and the European Region Meeting, which took place at the turn of April and May 2009 on Syros Island in Greece. The issue contains the minutes of the meeting, by Janet Morris and Dorothy Selleck, for which I thank them. You will also find here a reminiscence of the whole event, by Bibi Karlsson and supplemented by pictures taken by Eva Ahlin. I am very grateful to these two Swedish colleagues, too. The event was attended by deputies from 14 European member countries and a deputy representing the Cyprus preparatory committee. Judging from reactions of many participants, the European Meeting was an exceptionally successful event, excellently managed and both professionally and culturally intriguing. For all this, my sincere thanks belong to the team of organizers led by Nektarios Stellakis and Christalla Papadimetri.

As you know, the World Assembly is to take place in Lagos, the capital of Nigeria, this summer – on August 3-7, 2009. The accompanying conference is called Learning to Listen, Listening to Learn and another call is also a part of this Newsletter. It is clear already now that this year, either, not many European countries will be able to attend the World Assembly. Judging from the information collected at the European Meeting, only deputies from Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and UK and perhaps Spain will be able to attend. I would like to ask those of you who know you will not be able to go to Nigera to send your letters of attorney for voting to those countries which will be there. You have recently received them from Ingrid Pramling. I would also like to mention in this context that the World Assembly in Lagos will be where Vice Presidents for Europe and for Asia Pacific will be elected. I have decided to run again and would like to thank for all the nominations of me you have so far sent to Ingrid Pramling, the World President. I value your support very much. The Newsletter also contains a lot of other information such as book alerts, invitations to conferences etc. I hope it will bring you a lot of interesting and important information. I am looking forward to your comments, suggestions and reports to be shared with other member countries of the Europe Region.

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And to conclude with, I would like to thank everybody who have sent their annual reports. We have received them from nearly all of you, i.e. 21 out of 22 member countries in the Europe Region. It is good to know that so much is done for the benefit of young children in your countries. Thank you for that. Milada Rabušicová OMEP Vice-President for Europe Chers amis et collègues, Vous venez de recevoir le Newsletter (Printemps, 2009) pour la région européenne. Línformation principale de cette édition du Newsletter la constituent le Congrès européen de lÓMEP et la Réunion régionale européenne qui ont eu lieu vers la fin du mois dávril et au début de mai sur l´île Syros, Grèce. Vous pouvez y voir la communication de notre réunion, écrite par Janet Morris y Dorothy Selleck auxquelles jáimerais bien exprimer mes remerciements. Jáime bien remercier

aussi nos collègues suédoises de leur travail: Bibi Karlsson qui a écrit une réminiscence de cet événement et Evy Ahlin pour ses photographies. Cette fois-ci les représentants de quatorze pays membres de lÉurope et les représentantes du Comité préparatoire en Chypre ont participé à cette rencontre. Jái pu savoir à travers des réactions de beaucoup de participants que le Congrès avait été très réussi, organisé dúne manière excellente, intéressante du point de vue du travail et culturel. Jáimerais bien exprimer encore une fois mes remerciements aux organisateurs, guidés par Nektarios Stellakis et Chrystalla Papadimetri. Comme vous savez, lÁssemblée mondiale de lÓMEP en 2009 aura lieu au Nigéria, dans sa capitale Lagos du 3 au 7 août 2009. Le Congrès quón organise à cette occasion est intitulé Apprendre à écouter, Écouter pour apprendre (Learning to Listen, Listening to Learn). Je répète notre invitation à cet événement même que je me rends compte quíl y aura peu de pays européens qui puissent y participer. Selon le sondage quón a réalisé pendant la Réunion européenne, il paraît quíl ný aura que les représentants des pays suivants: Grèce, Irlande, Portugal, Suède, Suisse et Royaume Uni, il est possible quÉspagne aussi. Jínvite les membres qui savent déjà ne pouvoir pas participer, quíls envoient leur autorisation à voter aux pays qui seront présents. Vous avez réçu le formulaire de la part dÍngrid Pramling récemment.

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Jái encore autre chose à vous dire, cést que pendant lÁssemblée mondiale de lÓMEP de Lagos on va élire le Vice-président pour lÉurope de même que pour lÁsie Pacifique pour trois ans. Jái décidé présenter encore une fois ma candidature et jáimerais bien vous remercier de toutes les nominations que vous avez envoyées jusquíci à Ingrid Pramling, présidente de lÓMEP. Jápprécie beaucoup votre soutien.

Le Newsletter offre aussi dáutre type dínformation, comme p.ex. avertissements des nouvelles publications, des invitations aux congrès, etc. Jéspère que le Newsletter vous facilite beaucoup d´ informations intéressantes et importantes. Je me réjouis à lávance de vos commentaires, suggestions et informations quón puisse partager parmi tous les pays de la région européenne. Jáimerais bien également exprimer mes remerciements des rapports à tous qui me lónt envoyé. En réalité, ce sont 21 rapports déntre 22 pays membres de la région européenne. Il est très bien quón sache que dans vos pays on fait des choses aussi utiles au profit des petits enfants. Merci beaucoup. Milada Rabušicová Vice-président de lÓMEP pour lÉurope

Estimados colegas, queridos amigos: He aquí la edición de Primavera de 2009 del Newsletter para la Región europea. La información principal de esta edición del Newsletter son el Congreso europeo de la OMEP y la Reunión regional europea que se celebraron a finales de abril y principios de mayo en la isla de Syros, Grecia. Pueden encontrar aquí el acta de nuestra reunión, redactado por Janet Morris y Dorothy Selleck a quienes quisiera expresarles mis gracias. Igualmente quiero agradecerles el trabajo a nuestras colegas suecas Bibi Karlsson que escribió una reminiscencia de este acontecimiento y a Evy Ahlin por sus fotografías. Esta vez participaron en el evento los representantes de catorce países miembros de Europa y las representantes del Comité preparatorio de Chipre. Según las reacciones de muchos participantes he llegado a saber que el Congreso había sido muy logrado, organizado de una manera excelente ofreciendo mucho interés laboral y cultural. Me gustaría expresar una vez más mis gracias a los organizadores, liderados por Nektarios Stellakis y Chrystalla Papadimetri. Como saben, este verano la Asamblea mundial tendrá lugar en Nigeria, en su capital Lagos, entre los días 3 y 7 de agosto de 2009. Con motivo de la

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Asamblea se celebrará el Congreso bajo el título Aprender a escuchar, Escuchar para aprender (Learning to Listen, Listening to Learn). Vuelvo a repetir nuestra invitación a este evento aunque me doy cuenta de que en la Asamblea no podrán participar muchos países europeos. Según el sondeo hecho durante la Reunión europea parece que sólo podrán participar los representantes de Grecia, Irlanda, Portugal, Suecia, Suiza y Reino Unido, posiblemente también España. A los miembros que ya saben que no podrán ir a Nigeria, les invito a delegar el poder a voto a los países que estén presentes. Hace poco han recibido el formulario de parte de Ingrid Pramling.

Otra cosa que me gustaría mencionar es el hecho de que en la Asamblea mundial de Lagos se producirá votación del Vicepresidente para Europa de mismo que para la Asia Pacífica para el período de tres años. He decidido presentar otra vez mi candidatura y quisiera agradecerles todas las nominaciones que han enviado hasta ahora a Ingrid Pramling, presidenta de la OMEP. Aprecio mucho el apoyo que me han prestado.

El Newsletter facilita también otro tipo de información, como p.ej. anuncios de nuevas publicaciones, invitaciones a congresos, etc. Espero que el Newsletter les ofrezca toda una serie de información importante y de su interés.Les agradecería cualquier tipo de comentario, sugerencia e información que los demás países de la región europea podamos compartir.

Asimismo me qustaría darles mis gracias por los informes anuales a todos que me lo han enviado. En principio, han sido todos, 21 informes del total de 22 países miembros de la Región europea. Está muy bien que sepamos que en sus países se hacen cosas tan útiles en provecho a los niños pequeños. Muchas gracias. Milada Rabušicová Vicepresidenta de la OMEP para Europa

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Minutes of the OMEP European Regional Meeting

Syros, Greece

29 th of April 2009

1. Present: Milada Rabusicova (European Vice President), Ingrid Pramling-Samuelsson (World President), Rozalina Engels-Kritidis (Bulgaria), Jarmila Kotrbova (Czechia), Henny Hammershoej (Denmark), Juha Sakkinen, Pirjo Honkavara (Finland), Doris Beneke (Germany), Evangelia Serafim (Greece), Elena Markeviciene (Lithuania), Anna Wrobel (Poland), Antonio Ponces de Carvalho (Portugal), Katarina Koledova (Slovakia), Ammalia Bayon Alvarez (Spain), Bibi Karlsson (Sweden), Léo Barblan (Switzerland), Janet Morris, Hugh Morris, Dorothy Selleck, Anne Morrison (United Kingdom), Angela Shiakalli (Cyprus).

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A warm welcome was extended to representatives from Nigeria, New Zealand and Canada. 2. Approval of the agenda: The agenda presented by Milada was approved .

• There were queries, regarding attendance at the OMEP World Assembly in Lagos, Nigeria from August 5th. to 7th, 2009 (www.omep-nigeria.org/conference)

• Milada explained that those OMEP National Committees, that could not go, could make arrangements to vote by proxy in the World OMEP Meetings.

• Agreements need to be made with those attending the assembly so as to use the proxy vote. Each National Representative, who attends, can only accept two proxy votes. We need to make sure that such votes are fully utilized.

• Antonio asked about the timetable for the Assembly. Ingrid said it commenced on Monday August 3rd to Friday August 7th, 2009.

3. OMEP World President:

• Ingrid Pramling-Samuelsson thanked delegates for their attendance. She thanked those countries which had sent in their Annual Reports, and appealed for any which were not yet in.

• The reports had been translated into the three required OMEP languages, (English, French & Spanish).

• In each National Committee of OMEP efforts need to be made to enhance members’ awareness of recent Early Childhood Developments within the country and across Europe in line with the Lisbon Agreement (EU). Peter Moss’s Paper for the Children in Europe Network on developments in the phase across the region is very important.

• The OMEP International Journal has been published on time. Negotiations are underway with the publishing company, Springer, to take responsibility for producing and delivering future editions.

• The OMEP publication on the findings of the three year OMEP research project, in seven countries across the five world regions, is entitled :’Play and learning - birth to three in 7 countries.’

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http://www.omep-nigeria.org/conference



4. Review of Minutes of the European Regional Meeting, Quebec City, Canada:

• Only six countries were present. In the Quebec minutes, Steen of Denmark referred to the film on young children’s songs and games made through a joint venture between OMEP Ghana and OMEP Denmark. Henny up-dated those present, explaining that Ghanaian and Danish versions of this film are in the process of being made. This is aimed at enhancing children’s enjoyment in participating in each other’s games and cultures. Another Project is underway – collecting toys for a hospital in Accra, and the Danish Committee are awaiting instructions on the formalities.

• The Quebec minutes were accepted as a true record of the meeting, and Milada thanked Janet for taking the minutes.

5. Information from the European member countries:

• Leo reported that the Curriculum for Western Switzerland, intended for children aged four to sixteen years, is progressing. The aim is to attain continuity among the ten French/Italian cantons, five have accepted, but ,as yet, five are still considering the suggested changes re: a programme

on Transition. Some parties do not want the four year olds to learn reading and counting.

• In Sweden there is much emphasis on adhering to ‘The Rights of the Child’ in accordance with the requirements of The United Nations Convention. A key project is underway to help communities and early years settings in ‘Education for Sustainable Development’.

6. Reports from the National Committees:

• Milada attended a ISSA conference in Budapest, Hungary, and met with representatives of World Forum. OMEP became member of World Forum Consultative group. Issues of communication in the three official languages are expensive. Each country is responsible for its own arrangements for translation. Milada thanked the translators for their conscientious work. There are no current suggestions for a research projects, Liz (UK) wants to co-operate with Ingrid Engdalh on the ‘Sustainable Project’. The UK delegation emphasised the need for a greater balance between theory and practice, so that there is a better understanding of the many challenges faced by those working in demanding EYC settings., and, they, in turn can make greater use of pertinent research findings.

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• Antonio announced a National Congress in Lisbon on July 1st. and 2nd, involving Ministers from Health, Education, Family, Rights of the Child and people visiting from many parts of the world. Antonio is working with groups from Africa and The USA. This will be a celebration of fifty years of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the conference is entitled:’ The Rights and Voice of the Child’ The Minister of Education has asked schools to arrange materials on the children’s voice on the Rights of the Child.

• Bibi described the project for ‘Sustainable Development’, and this will be a main theme in the 2010 OMEP World Conference in Gothenburg.

• Hugh spoke on the DVD which the UK is making, which is nearly completed. The web site is now functioning to a higher standard with more improvements coming shortly. It will be the place to keep in touch with information about next year’s European meeting.

• Janet discussed the problem of helping the less affluent countries to pay their annual subscriptions to OMEP International. The UK National Committee is prepared to help, and would like to propose a separate international fund, run by the OMEP Executive Committee. Countries could subscribe to this, to enable member countries with temporary financial difficulties to participate in OMEP International activities. UK Committee will propose this at the World Congress.

• Spain has fifteen university departments offering Early Childhood Courses. The University for Distance Learning in Madrid has pertinent courses in

several regions. Overall, 200,000 Practitioners will have completed courses by 2011.

• The OMEP delegates from Spain emphasised the need for parity in language provision at OMEP International Conferences. Antonio supported this, emphasising the importance of translations into the three main OMEP languages, according to the original aims of 1948. Milada pointed out that there are the number of countries and languages in Europe and the lack of money. Many countries, for example the Czech Republic, always have to translate their own. Dorothy endorsed that this is an important issue, and it is an acknowledgement and respect for the culture of the countries concerned. She suggested that students could help, at a minimum cost.

7. Vice President’s Report:

• Milada thanked the Slovakian Committee for hosting the European

Meeting and Conference in Bratislava, 2008. A CD was given out to all representative countries containing material from the Conference.

• New members: Cyprus has a preparatory committee. Teachers and the Minister of Education have welcomed OMEP involvement. Negotiations are in progress with Estonia and the Ukraine. Anna reported that the Ukraine are almost ready for membership.

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• Leo asked about membership in Belgium and Italy. Belgium have given up their Membership. Nothing has been heard from France and Italy. Leo thought that some Montessori schools in Italy might be interested. Dorothy suggested that the Netherlands might be contacted. We have lost contact with the main leaders in Early Childhood Education and Care in these countries. It was agreed that OMEP (Europe) should make further approaches if any members knew individuals through whom they could make contact.

• It was agreed that all representatives appreciated Milada’s newsletter. Reference was made to the agreement at Bratislava to connect up more frequently by e-mail and via the web.

8. Research Projects:

• It was agreed that further work should be undertaken on ‘Sustainable Development’, with examples of good practice. This is undertaken in England by national teachers’ groups, who define ‘good practice’ in clear, strict terms. UK were asked if they would support the Project and become involved.

• Leo discussed research on how very young children handle objects, co-operate in play , social and emotional communication and play on surprise. He invited delegates to send observations of effective interaction to him.

• Milada asked if the European Group could agree on a regional project. Marek (Czech Republic) thought it would be interesting to consider cross-cultural practice - what is regarded as ‘good practice’ across Europe. This could include early language learning and additional language learners. A forum could be set up to decide the most useful and beneficial research.

• Antonio emphasised the need for an effective teacher-training model. • In Eastern Europe the Bologna process is followed with clear vocational

levels, practical application and specific university research programmes. These are carefully integrated so as to have a unified approach to working with young children.

• In the UK there are both academic and practical routes to professional status with rigorous steps to achieve this role.

• Similarly, in Madrid students are prepared for a wide range of settings, functioning in monolingual and multi-lingual situations.

• The Report No.8 by UNICEF high-lights the challenges of different linguistic settings.

9. Agenda for the World Assembly in Lagos, Nigeria, August, 2009:

• The Nigerian delegation was warmly welcomed.

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• Bimbola Are gave an outline of activities for the World Assembly, Monday, 3rd and Tuesday, 4th August. The International Conference and Workshops are from Wednesday, August 5th to Friday, August 7th, 2009.

• Further information can be gained from www.omep-nigeria.org/conference • The Theme is: ’Learning to Listen, Listening to Learn’ • Visits will be arranged to private and state schools and settings on

Thursday, August 6th.

10. Elections at The World Assembly 2009:

• Vice-President of Asia Pacific, World Treasurer, Vice-President of Europe are the posts to be elected this year.

• Each National Committee of OMEP is to send nominations to Ingrid as soon as possible.

• Please ensure you arrange a proxy vote with delegates who are attending the World Assembly in Lagos.

11. European Regional meeting and Conference, 2010: • Janet invited delegates to the UK for the next Meeting. This will be held in

Chester and Manchester, from April 22nd to 25th, 2010. The programme

was outlined, and more information will be available on the Website soon: www.omepuk.org.uk

• It was suggested that World Executive Committee Meeting could take place in Chester, alongside The European Meeting.

12. Any other business:

• There was no other business. Meeting closed at 6.0pm

From the left: Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson, OMEP World President; Nektarios Stellakis, President of Greek Committee; Milada Rabušicová, OMEP Vice- President for Europe

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Syros Reflection Some reflections from OMEP European regional meeting and conference 2009 at Syros Island, Greece.

We had a fantastic stay in the beautiful Island of Syros in the Cyclades early in spring this year, where the annual European meeting took place. About 40 people from 17 different European countries were represented. The Greek committee took very good care of all of us and showed us around both the city of Hermoupolis and around the island. Hermoupolis is the capital of the island and a port town. It’s built on two hills, on which traditional white plastered houses tightly are mounting. On the top of the hills, raises the two churches that are equally represented on the island, the Roman Catholic and the Greek Orthodox. In the city centre, near the harbour, you find imposing buildings in neo classical style like the Town Hall, the Miaouli Square, the Apollo theatre and the basilica of St. Nicholas.

The first evening we got a very warm welcome and a nice walking tour around the city centre where we were introduced to the city and its history. Talented young students had prepared interesting lectures in English about the places we had on our small roundtrip. That was quite impressive. There were many different events during the evening in witch a lot of children were involved, as well as their teachers and parents. On the square in front of the town hall we saw them enthusiastically perform traditional music, songs and dances. We were really impressed and got the feeling that the whole community was involved. Everything was well prepared and you could tell that everybody was very proud of what they had done. We also got treated with nice gifts like cookies, drawings and colourful bouquets that the children had made by themselves.

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The evening finished with a theatre performance where all the actors were children at the ages of 3-6 years. This was also done most professionally and with great joy from the small actors. You could tell they had done a lot of rehearsing. Both teachers and the actors’ parents were involved. The beautiful Apollo theatre was full of people watching. As a great finish of an eventful evening, we

were invited to a nice restaurant where we got lots of delicious Greek food. Later we walked home to our hotel, in the beautiful mediterranean spring night, fully loaded with gifts and wonderful impressions as well as a full tummy... The next morning was the opening ceremony of the conference “Shaping the future”. The introduction was done by representatives of local authorities, municipalities, churches and education. Mr Koptsis, Principal of Primary Education was the representative of Ministry of Education. The conference program was full of interesting lectures in English as well as in Greek. The conference day finished with a great dinner for all the delegades with even more food than the evening before! There was also live music performance and

Greek dancing. The dance floor was full of people that enjoyed the music and the fun of dancing together. Early next morning we had study visits to different preschools and one primary school on the island. Buses took us all up and down the steep and winding roads to a fine tour of the island. We were impressed by the preschools we saw. They were professionally run and we met devoted teachers and parents that proudly presented their work and their schools. The children greeted us again with singing and more presents. They were happy to talk to us and to show us around. And we are really grateful that we had the opportunity to such lovely and rewarding visit. Thank you again for your great hospitality! We wish to see you all again, hopefully in Sweden. Bibi Karlsson, Mania Teimouri and Eva Ahlin from the Swedish OMEP-Committee

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Next World Congress in Lagos, Nigeria

You are cordially invited to participate in the World Assembly and

International Conference / Workshop of the World Organisation for Early

Childhood Education (OMEP), taking place in Lagos, Nigeria from August

3-7, 2009.

Theme: “Learning to listen, listening to learn”

Come and be treated to the warmth of Africa.

For more information, please, visit:

www. omep-nigeria.org/conference

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Invitation to the Conference ISSA Concefence 2009 in Bucharest, Romania

Dear Colleague, ISSA, a leading network of early childhood education and development organizations from Central/Eastern Europe and Central Asia, proudly invites you to participate in its 2009 Annual Conference and celebrate its 10th anniversary. This event is co-hosted by the Center for Education and

Professional Development, Romania, under the patronage of the President of Romania, H. E. Traian Bãsescu. The conference is organized in partnership with and with support from the Open Society Institute, and also with the technical support and participation of UNICEF CEE/CIS, OSCE/ODIHR and the Romanian Ministry of Education, Research and Innovation. The conference will explore integrated approaches to early childhood development and education (ECDE), as the strongest foundation for well-being and success throughout life. Research shows that the first years in a child's life are crucial in ensuring the child's later success, quality of life and ability to contribute as a responsible citizen. At the same time, children are citizens of today's society; therefore effective investments in the early years are important not only from the point of view of building future human and social capital, but also to ensure that the rights and needs of young children are met and that they have a happy childhood today. While many countries in Central/Eastern Europe and Central Asia have developed national strategies that emphasize the early years, there are still many challenges in ensuring that every young child receives high quality care and education. ISSA invites practitioners, policy makers, and researchers from the around the world to take part in this

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event and engage in lively and informed discussions about the current situation and future tasks in ECDE for Central/Eastern Europe and Central Asia and lessons that may be learned from other parts of the world. Special attention will be devoted to ISSA's growing network of members and partners from the region and from around the globe and their successes over the past ten years in creating and implementing child-centered pedagogy, respect for diversity, and access to quality education for every child. Panels will explore ways to increase participation and access to quality ECDE for Roma and Sinti, children of migrants and of families in remote areas. The conference aims to develop a set of concrete recommendations to inform and support the work of policy makers and practitioners throughout the region. As a curtain-raiser to the Conference, the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research and Innovation and ISSA will organize a Roundtable on Investing in Early Childhood: the most effective use of a nation's recources on October 14, 2009, bringing together leading policy makers from the region. The event is organized in partnership with UNICEF, the Consultative Group on Early Childhood Care and Development and the Open Society Institute.

Join us in Bucharest to continue the dialogue between East and West, linking research, practice, and policy, which has made ISSA's conferences so successful in the past! Please assist us by disseminating this announcement to others who may be interested in attending the Conference. Sincerely, Liana Ghent, Executive Director, ISSA For details about the conference and submission of abstracts, visit the ISSA website:

http://www.issa2009.ro/

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http://www.issa2009.ro/


New Books The Gothenburg

Recommendations on Education for

Sustainable Development.

University of Gothenburg, 2008.

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Education for some more than others?

Geneva: UNICEF Regional Office for CEE/CIS, 2007.

More information: www.unicef.org/ceecis.

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Young children and their services: developing a European approach. A children in Europe Policy paper, 2008 (English version)

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Vers une approche européenne de l’acctueil de la petite enfance. Une politique proposée par Enfants d’Europe, 2008 (French version)

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