5TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Investing in Early Childhood Development – Building Human Capital
Date & Time
April 07- 08, 2026
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Contact Us
051-9054250
051-9054251
Iced2026@aiou.edu.pk
Conference's Overview
Early childhood represents the most foundational phase of human development, shaping lifelong physical, emotional, cognitive, and social outcomes. Neuroscience confirms that the period from conception to eight years is critical for brain architecture, emotional regulation, learning readiness, and long-term productivity. Countries that prioritize Early Childhood Development (ECD) experience stronger human capital formation, sustained economic growth, reduced inequalities, improved public health outcomes, and greater social cohesion.
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Conference Sub-themes
Key discussion areas focusing on strengthening Early Childhood Development systems and investments.
Theme 1: The Economics and Sustainable Mechanisms – Innovative Approaches to ECD Finances
- Global economic evidence on high returns to ECD with reference to Asia’s demographic transition and human capital dividend - Case Study from Pakistan
- Investment scenarios linking ECD to national productivity, public financing frameworks from OECD and LMICs, and blended finance and innovative PPP models (Country examples: Chile Crece Contigo, Singapore, Rwanda, Vietnam)
- Venture philanthropy and catalytic capital, corporate social responsibility models and faith-based giving
- Family foundations and diaspora philanthropy
- Linking climate justice with child development, green ECD centers and climate-adaptive infrastructure, carbon finance mechanisms for caregiving programs
Panelists and Key note Speakers
The conference is organised by Allama Iqbal Open University, Pakistan Alliance for Early Childhood, Rupani Foundation, Pakistan, UNICEF, Pakistan, Ministry of Planning, SUN Secretariat, Nutrition Section and WHO, Pakistan.
Ms. Mina Zamand
Theme 1: Economics and Sustainable Mechanisms
World Bank
Dr. Saba Shuja
Theme 2: Nurturing Care Across Cultures & Theme 5: Research, Measurement & Accountability Systems
UNICEF
Dr. Uzma Qudsia
Theme 2: Nurturing Care Across Cultures
WHO
Mr. Jalaluddin Hunzai
Theme 2: Nurturing Care Across Cultures
CEO, Rupani Foundation
Mr. Sajjad Hyder
Theme 2: Nurturing Care Across Cultures
Gbeetechive
Mr. Anteneh Girma
Theme 3: Health, Nutrition and Safety & Security
Chief Nutrition, UNICEF
Dr. Salman Kirmani
Theme 3: Health, Nutrition and Safety & Security
Professor, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University
Dr. Fatima Rehman
Theme 3: Health, Nutrition and Safety & Security
Developmental Pediatrician, The Children’s Hospital Lahore
Ms. Ayesha Raza Farooq
Theme 3: Health, Nutrition and Safety & Security
Chairperson, NCRC
Dr. Wali Khan
Theme 3: Health, Nutrition and Safety & Security
DG Health
Dr. Shahzad Khan
Theme 3: Health, Nutrition and Safety & Security
Vice Chancellor, HAS
Dr. Fareed Panjwani
Theme 4: Strengthening the ECD Workforce & Regional Cooperation
Dean, Institute for Educational Development (IED), Aga Khan University
Ms. Ambreena Ahmed
Theme 4: Strengthening the ECD Workforce & Regional Cooperation
Director, Teachers’ Resource Centre (TRC), Pakistan
Mr. Abid Gill
Theme 4: Strengthening the ECD Workforce & Regional Cooperation
Deputy Chief Advisor, Japan International Cooperation Agency
Mr. Syed Javid Gillani
Theme 4: Strengthening the ECD Workforce & Regional Cooperation
Executive Director, Muslim Hands
Dr. Shahid Soroya
Theme 5: Research, Measurement & Accountability Systems
Director General, Pakistan Institute of Education
Dr. Tooba Saleem
Theme 5: Research, Measurement & Accountability Systems
Assistant Professor, Allama Iqbal Open University
Dr. Mowadat Hussain Rana
Theme 6: Caregivers’ Mental Health & MH&PSS Integration
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences
Dr. Abdul Wahab Yousafzai
Theme 6: Caregivers’ Mental Health & MH&PSS Integration
Psychiatrist, Shifa International Hospital
Ms. Safina Abdulloeva
Theme 6: Caregivers’ Mental Health & MH&PSS Integration
Health Manager, UNICEF
Ms. Falak Madhani
Theme 6: Caregivers’ Mental Health & MH&PSS Integration
Brain and Mind Institute(BMI), Aga Khan University
Dr. Asma Humayun
Theme 6: Caregivers’ Mental Health & MH&PSS Integration
National Technical Advisor Mental Health Strategic Planning & Coordination Unit Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives
Dr. Shelina Bhamani
Theme 7: Early Learning Opportunities (concurrent)
Associate Professor & Lead ECD, AKU
Ms. Erum Barki
Theme 7: Early Learning Opportunities (concurrent)
UNICEF Representative
Ms. Naghmana Sardar
Theme 7: Early Learning Opportunities (concurrent)
Directress, Directorate of Elementary and Secondary Education, KP
Ms. Komal Zuberi
Theme 7: Early Learning Opportunities (concurrent)
Khalifa Bin Zayed Foundation
Dr. Tabassum Naz
Theme 7: Early Learning Opportunities (concurrent)
Director, National Curriculum Council
Ms. Seher Taimoor
Theme 7: Early Learning Opportunities (concurrent)
Education Advisor, Save the Children
Conference Core Committee
The conference is organised by Allama Iqbal Open University, Pakistan Alliance for Early Childhood, Rupani Foundation, Pakistan, UNICEF, Pakistan, Ministry of Planning, SUN Secretariat, Nutrition Section and WHO, Pakistan.
Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood
Conference Chair
Allama Iqbal Open University
Mr. Nasruddin Rupani
Co-Chair
Rupani Foundation
Mr. Waseem Samad
Group Chief Executive Officer
Apex & Co., Rupani Foundation
Ms. Khadija Khan
Conference Convener
Pakistan Alliance for Early Childhood
Dr. Saima Nasir
Director
QEC
Mr. Jalaluddin
CEO
Rupani Foundation
Dr. Muhammad Ayub Buzdar
Associate Professor / Chairperson
Department of STE
Syed Jalal Uddin Shah
Global CEO
Rupani Foundation
Dr. Saba Shuja
Manager ECD
UNICEF
Dr. Tooba Saleem
Assistant Professor / Conference Secretary
Department of ECE&C
…and more presenters to be announced
Registrations
Early Bird
Until February 15, 2026Regular
Until March 31, 2026On-Desk
April 07, 2026Organizers
Collaboration Partners
Knowledge Partners
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