5TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Investing in Early Childhood Development – Building Human Capital
Date & Time
April 07- 08, 2026
8:30 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
Chairs, Co-chairs, Moderators, Keynote Speakers and Panelists
Learn from our distinguished speakers who are experts in early childhood development
DAY-1 — Opening Ceremony
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Zafar Mirza
Former Federal Minister Health, Ministry of National Health Services Regulation & Coordination
Keynote Speaker
DAY-1 — PLENARY-1: Economics and Sustainable Mechanisms- Innovative Approaches to ECD Finances
Chair
Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam
Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change & Environmental Coordination
Chair
Moderator
Syed Jalal ud Din Shah
Global CEO, Rupani Foundation
Moderator
Keynote Speaker
Mr. Stephen Rasmussen
Chairman, Community & Enterprise Development Organization
Keynote Speaker
Panelists
Dr. Adnan Aziz
Chief Program Officer, Global Islamic Finance Impact Program for Climate, Nature and Development, UAE
Panelist
Ms. Katy Anis
Founder, Coalescence Advisory
Panelist
Ms. Mina Zamand
Economist, World Bank
Panelist
Vikas Arora
Chief of Impact Investing & Blended Finance, AVPN
Panelist
Ms. Shekufeh Zonji
Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN)
Panelist
DAY-1 — PLENARY-2: Nurturing Care Across Cultures: Innovations and Inclusive Approaches to ECD
Chair
Ms. Sharmeela Rassool
Deputy Country Representative, UNICEF
Chair
Co-Chair
Mr. Muzaffar Ud Din
Country Representative, The Asia Foundation
Co-Chair
Moderator
Dr. Shelina Bhamani
Associate Professor, Program Director Outreach Education & Lead ECD PREP ObGyn, Aga Khan University
Moderator
Keynote Speaker
Mr. Shinozaki Yusuke
Chief Representative, JICA Pakistan
Keynote Speaker
Panelists
Dr. Saba Shuja
Manager ECD, UNICEF
Panelist
Dr. Qudsia Uzma
Programme Lead, WHO
Panelist
Mr. Jalaluddin Hunzai
CEO, Rupani Foundation
Panelist
Mr. Sajjad Hyder
CEO, Gbeetechive
Panelist
Dr. Zeba Rasmussen
Founder of Mehnaz Fatima Foundation
Panelist
Dr. Naila Khalid
Health & Nutrition Advisor, Save the Children
Panelist
DAY-1 — PLENARY-3: Health, Nutrition and Safety & Security
Chair
Dr. Naeem Zafar
Chairman, Pakistan Alliance for Early Childhood
Chair
Moderator
Dr. Hana Mahmood
Chief of Global Health, International Research Force
Moderator
Keynote Speaker
Prof. Dr. Syed Jamal Raza
Executive Director, Sindh Institute of Child Health & Neonatology, Karachi
Keynote Speaker
Panelists
Mr. Anteneh Girma
Chief Nutrition, UNICEF
Panelist
Dr. Salman Kirmani
Professor, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University
Panelist
Dr. Fatima Rehman
Developmental Pediatrician, The Children’s Hospital Lahore
Panelist
Dr. Mehek Naeem
Member Punjab, National Commission on the Rights of Child Pakistan
Panelist
Dr. Shahzad Khan
VC, National Health Services Academy
Panelist
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
Ms. Khadija Khan
Conference Convener
Pakistan Alliance for Early Childhood
Mr. Waseem Samad
CEO
Apex & Co., Rupani Foundation
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
Registrations
Early Bird
Until February 15, 2026Regular
Until March 31, 2026On-Desk
April 07, 2026Organizers
Impact Partners
Collaboration Partners
Knowledge Partners
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