Gaining New Ideas and Insight on International Early Childhood Education

During my exploration of the ACEI's Global Gateway tab on their website, I discovered a Education Research & Policy option in the drop box with various links to some additional resources to assist in gathering further insight on the focus of policymakers and ECE professionals around the world. The following are examples of some of the links available;

• Brookings Center for Universal Education
• Policies and Practices- A Development Education Review of Ireland (Journal Collections) 
• Center of Excellence for Early Childhood Development (Focus on Canada)
• UNESCO- both International Institute for Educational Planning (research assistance for various countries and their development of educational systems) and Institute for Lifelong Learning (policies and practices with focus on adult learning and education). 
• Center on the Developing Child- Harvard University
• National Task Force on Early Childhood Education for Hispanics

As I continue my explorations, there have been reinforcements of how many concerns such as, creating universal standards that everyone agrees on and providing equal early care/education services to families, are global and not just local issues and concerns. I have also realized the importance of establishing and sustaining active involvement in representing the ECE field and having our voices heard as one, so that policymakers and the other powers that be can take us seriously. As previously stated by Hilary Clinton (Former US Secretary of State), "Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together". Oh what a wonderful impact we could have if we all (globally) stuck together!!!