FOURTH INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE
“EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE: CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES”
December 15, 2025
Korçë, Albania
In an era marked by rapid social change, economic uncertainty, and growing awareness of educational inequality, Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) remains a crucial cornerstone for building inclusive and resilient societies. Evidence from the World Bank and numerous international studies continues to confirm that the early years are decisive for a child’s brain development, socialization, and lifelong learning outcomes. High-quality early education fosters cognitive growth, socioemotional competence, school readiness, and the foundational skills necessary for navigating an increasingly complex world.
The Eurydice Key Data on Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe 2025 highlights both progress and persistent gaps in implementing the Council Recommendation on high-quality ECEC systems (2019/C 189/02). It emphasizes five key areas: universal access, improved staff qualifications and working conditions, coherent curriculum frameworks that support inclusion and transitions, robust monitoring and evaluation tools, and integrated governance and funding. While many countries have expanded provision and raised qualification requirements, challenges remain in ensuring equity, affordability, and effective cross-ministerial coordination. The report reaffirms the Recommendation’s vision of high-quality, inclusive, and affordable ECEC as a cornerstone of social rights, child development, and educational equity across Europe. Research indicates that investing in high-quality ECEC not only fosters children’s development but also generates long-term societal benefits, such as reducing public expenditure on health, welfare, and justice. In this light, ECEC is not merely a pedagogical priority but also a social imperative.
With this understanding, we invite scholars, practitioners, students, and all stakeholders committed to the field of early childhood to join us in the fourth edition of the ECEC Conference. Together, we will reflect on today’s challenges, share research, and explore forward-looking strategies and practices that can shape the future of Early Childhood Education and Care.
WHERE
On site – venue: “Fan S. Noli” University, Shëtitorja “Rilindasit”, Korçë, Albania
Online – links to panel access will be communicated in time
WHEN
December 15, 2025
The conference seeks to address Education and Care issues of Early Childhood in the fields of:
- Policy, Governance & Institutional Roles
- Redefining the Role of Higher Education Institutions in Shaping Early Childhood Education Systems
- From Policy to Practice: Central and Local Government Responsibilities in Delivering Equitable ECEC
- Early Childhood Governance Models: Comparative International Approaches and Lessons Learned
- Public Investment in Early Childhood: Budgeting for Sustainable and Inclusive Development
- Quality and Standards in Early Childhood Education
- Towards Global Standards: Measuring and Ensuring Quality in Early Childhood Programs
- Evidence-Based Frameworks for Development and Learning Standards in Early Years
- Monitoring, Assessment, and Documentation in Early Learning: Tools, Ethics, and Implementation
- Psychology, Pedagogy and Arts in ECEC
- Empowering Professionals and Institutions
- Building Competent Early Childhood Workforces: Professional Development and Training Innovations
- Empowerment through Leadership: Strengthening the Voice and Capacity of ECEC Practitioners
- Universities as Hubs for ECEC Research, Advocacy, and Innovation
- Cross-sector Collaboration and Integrated Approaches
- Multisectoral Collaboration for Early Childhood: From Silos to Synergy
- Bridging Health, Social Protection, and Education for Holistic Early Childhood Development
- Family and Community Engagement in Early Childhood Care and Education
- Inclusion and Special Needs
- Designing Inclusive ECEC Systems for Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Early Childhood Classrooms
- Culturally Responsive and Inclusive Approaches to Early Intervention
- Future Perspectives and Global Trends
- Early Childhood Education in the Era of Digitalization: Risks and Opportunities
- Climate Change and Early Childhood: Building Resilience from the Start
- Post-Pandemic Transformations in Early Childhood Systems Worldwide
- Research, Data and Innovation
- Data-Driven Decision-Making in Early Childhood Policy and Practice
- Translational Research in Early Childhood: Bridging Theory, Practice, and Policy
- Innovations in Curriculum Design and Play-Based Pedagogy
as well as any other topics related to the field of early childhood care, development and education
REGISTRATION
– REGISTRATION FEE
Conference Registration Fees — 50 euro per author
Coauthor’s fee: 30 euro
(Example 2 Authors-Total 80 Euros, 3 Authors-Total 110 Euros).
Participants from the universities co-organizing the conference will not be required to pay a registration fee.
- REGISTRATION DEADLINES
Abstract deadline: | 10.11.2025 |
Topic and resume acceptance notice | 15.11.2025 |
Payment of Conference fee** | 20.11.2025 |
Conference date: | 15.12.2025 |
Paper submission: | 22.12.2025 |
Peer review of articles | 15.01.2026 |
Peer review feedback | 20.01.2026 |
Acceptance of reviewed articles | 30.01.2026 |
Publication in the scientific journal | 20.02.2026 |
- PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
PAYMENT DETAILS:
Name of the account: TREASURY REVENUE KORÇE 1515
Beneficiary: “FAN S. NOLI” UNIVERSITY OF KORÇA
Institutional Code: 1011046
Economic Account: 7113099
Description: For participation at “EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATIONAND CARE: CHALLENGESA AND PERSPECTIVES” CONFERENCE
*The name of the author(s) is mandatory information at the bank order.
http://unkorce.edu.al/sites/default/files/Collection_invoice_(1).pdf
*Alternatively, payment may be carried out in cash at the conference registration desk.
Registration Fee Includes:
Ø Participation in all sessions |
Ø Abstract Book (Digital Copy) |
Ø Conference Proceedings (Digital Copy) |
Ø Presentation certificate |
Ø Free proceeding publication with ISBN |
Ø Eligibility for all technical sessions inside the conference |
Ø Conference photo coverage |
OUR PARTNERS
- Department of Education Sciences “Giovanni Maria Bertin”, University of Bologna
- University of Western Macedonia, Greece
International Scientific Committee:
Chair: Lorenc EKONOMI – Professor, Rector, “Fan S. Noli” University, Albania
Members:
Aida MOSKO, PhD, vice-rector, “Fan S. Noli” University, Albania
Jonela SPAHO, Associate professor, dean of Faculty of Education and Philology, “Fan S. Noli” University of Korça, Albania
Albina PAJO, PhD, Education Department Head, “Fan S. Noli” University, Albania
Irena NIKAJ, Professor, Department of Education, “Fan S. Noli” University, Albania
Federica ZANETTI, Associate professor, Department of Educational Sciences “Giovanni Maria Bertin”, University of Bologna, Italy
Penelope PAPADOPOULOU, Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Western Macedonia, Greece
Roberto DAINESE, Associate professor, Department of Educational Sciences “Giovanni Maria Bertin”, University of Bologna, Italy
Lucia BALDUZZI, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Educational Sciences “Giovanni Maria Bertin”, University of Bologna, Italy
Sofia ILIADOU-TACHOU, Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities of the University of Western Macedonia
Vassiliki PLIOGOU, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Western Macedonia, Florina, Greece
Xristina SIDIROPOULOU, PhD, Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Western Macedonia, Florina, Greece
Angelos SOFIANIDIS, PhD, Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Western Macedonia, Florina, Greece
Ioli ANDREADI – FILOUMENI, Assistant Professor, Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Western Macedonia, Florina, Greece
Stergiani GIAOURI, Associate Professor, Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Western Macedonia, Florina, Greece
Evaggelia KALERANTE, Professor, Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Western Macedonia, Florina, Greece
Evmorfia KIPOUROPOULOU, Assistant Professor, Department of Primary Education, University of Western Macedonia, Florina, Greece
Efthalia KONSTANTINIDOU, Assistant Professor, Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Western Macedonia, Florina, Greece
Amaryllis MALEGIANNAKI, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Western Macedonia, Florina, Greece
Evangelia PAPADOPOULOU, Assistant Professor, Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Western Macedonia, Florina, Greece
Anastasios PAPANIKOLAOU, Assistant Professor, Department of Primary Education, University of Western Macedonia, Florina, Greece
Georgia STEPHANOU, Professor, Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Western Macedonia, Florina, Greece
Maria Kirilova BAEVA, Professor, Faculty of Education Studies and the Arts. SU “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
Lucia MALINOVA, Professor, Faculty of Education Studies and the Arts. SU “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
Mimoza SHAHINI, Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Pristina, Kosovo
Merita SHALA, Professor, vice-rector, University “Isa Boletini”- Mitrovica, Kosovo
Lulzim ADEMI, Professor, Faculty of Pedagogy “St. Kliment Ohridski”, University “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” Skopje, North Macedonia
Fadbi OSMANI, Professor, Faculty of Pedagogy, University of Tetovo, North Macedonia
Buniamin MEMEDI, Professor, Faculty of Pedagogy, University of Tetovo, North Macedonia
Rabije MURATI, Professor, Faculty of Pedagogy, University of Tetovo, North Macedonia
Mimoza S. ZOGRAFI, PhD, Department of Statistics, University of Economic and Bussiness, Athens, Greece
Evionda PYLLI, PhD, Department of Education, “Fan S. Noli” University, Albania
Olger BRAME, PhD, Department of Linguistics and Literature, “Fan S. Noli” University, Albania
Ilia BELLO, PhD, Department of Education, “Fan S. Noli” University, Albania
CALL FOR PAPERS (CLICK HERE)
Abstracts and others conference documents should be submitted by mail to
Download Templates
Abstract Format Template
Fullpaper Format Template
Poster Template
PUBLICATIONS
The conference will publish a Book of Proceedings containing all the peer-reviewed full papers accepted for presentation. The Book of Proceedings will be made available online as a soft copy, accessible to all participants and the wider research community.
SUBMISSION AND PUBLICATION PROCESS
All submitted papers will undergo a rigorous peer-review process. Accepted full papers will be published in the online proceedings.
IMPORTANT DATES
Abstract deadline: |
10.11.2025 |
Topic and resume acceptance notice |
15.11.2025 |
Payment of Conference fee** |
20.11.2025 |
Conference date: |
15.12.2025 |
Paper submission: |
22.12.2025 |
Peer review of articles |
15.01.2026 |
Peer review feedback |
20.01.2026 |
Acceptance of reviewed articles |
30.01.2026 |
Publication in the scientific journal |
20.02.2026 |
For any questions related to submissions or publications, please contact: