ISSA Conference 2026

MAIS INFORMAÇÕES EM: https://issa.nl/issa-conference-2026/home

We are excited to welcome you back for ISSA Conference 2026, a landmark gathering for the early childhood field. This year, we unite around a shared and urgent focus: advancing integrated early childhood systems that place every child’s wellbeing at the centre by strengthening coordinated action across sectors, disciplines, and services.

ISSA Conference 2026 is co-hosted by ISSA, the Learning for Well-Being Institute, and APEI, in partnership with the Aga Khan Foundation, the OECD WISE Centre, and Act for Early Years. The conference will take place in Lisbon on October 22–23, with pre-conference events on October 21.

 Call for Contributions opens: 11 March 2026 (https://issa.nl/issa-conference-2026/call-for-contributions)
 Submission deadline: 14 April 2026
 Early Bird registration available until: 31 July 2026 (https://issa.nl/issa-conference-2026/registration)

Despite strong evidence about the importance of early investment, early childhood services often remain underfunded and disconnected. Health, education, social protection, and family support frequently operate separately, which means many children and families do not receive coordinated or consistent support. In some high-income countries, strict eligibility criteria have also created unequal access to services, reinforcing disparities instead of reducing them.

Creating stronger early childhood systems requires better coordination and integration—aligning funding, governance, professional skills, and service delivery around children’s development and family wellbeing. This calls for a whole-ecosystem approach where actors across all sectors and levels work toward shared goals.

ISSA Conference 2026 takes this challenge head-on. We will explore where integration is working, where it falls short, and why—while inviting participants to co-create practical, actionable solutions rooted in real-world experience. These discussions will unfold through three thematic strands, each addressing a key dimension of building integrated early childhood systems.