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
Panelists and Keynote Speakers
Learn from our distinguished speakers who are experts in early childhood development
Opening Ceremony
Dr Zafar Mirza
Keynote Speaker
Former Federal Minister Health, Ministry of National Health Services Regulation & Coordination
DAY-1 - PLENARY-1: Economics and Sustainable Mechanisms- Innovative Approaches to ECD Finances
Mr. Stephen Rasmussen
Keynote Speaker (International)
Chairman, Community & Enterprise Development Organization
Dr. Adnan Aziz
Panelist (International)
Chief Program Officer, Global Islamic Finance Impact Program for Climate, Nature and Development, UAE
Dr. Alaptagin Khan
Panelist (International)
Neuroscientist & Instructor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Ms. Katy Anis
Panelist (International)
Co-founder, Carbon for Care (Online)
Ms. Mina Zamand
Panelist
Economist, World Bank
Vikas Arora
Panelist (International)
Chief of Impact Investing & Blended Finance, AVPN
DAY-1 - PLENARY-2: Nurturing Care Across Cultures: Innovations and Inclusive Approaches to ECD
Dr Karen Boardman
Keynote Speaker (International)
Head of Department, Early Years Education, Edge Hill University, Lancashire, UK
Dr. Saba Shuja
Panelist
Manager ECD, UNICEF
Dr. Uzma Qudsia
Panelist
Programme Lead, WHO
Mr. Jalaluddin Hunzai
Panelist
CEO, Rupani Foundation
Mr. Sajjad Hyder
Panelist
CEO, Gbeetechive
Dr Zeba Rasmussen
Panelist
Founder of Mehnaz Fatima Foundation
DAY-1 - PLENARY-3: Health, Nutrition and Safety & Security
Prof. Dr. Jamal Raza
Keynote Speaker
National Institute of Child Health Karachi
Mr. Anteneh Girma
Panelist
Chief Nutrition, UNICEF
Dr. Salman Kirmani
Panelist
Professor, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University
Dr Fatima Rehman
Panelist
Developmental Pediatrician, The Children's Hospital Lahore
Ms. Ayesha Raza Farooq
Panelist
Chairperson NCRC
Dr. Wali Khan
Panelist
DG Health
Dr. Shahzad Khan
Panelist
Vice Chancellor, HAS
Mr.Hazza Al-Tamimi
Panelist (International)
Head of Urban Design – Abu-Dhabi ECD Authority
DAY-2 - PLENARY 1: Strengthening the ECD Workforce & Regional Cooperation
Prof Mathias Urban
Keynote Speaker (International)
Chairman, Early Childhood Education and Director, Early Childhood Research Center, University of Ireland
Ms. Sara Lajam
Speaker (International)
Dubai Care Representative
Dr. Fareed Panjwani
Panelist
Dean, Institute for Educational Development (IED), Aga Khan University
Ms. Ambreena Ahmed
Panelist
Director, Teachers' Resource Centre (TRC), Pakistan
Mr. Abid Gill
Panelist
Deputy Chief Advisor, Japan International Cooperation Agency
Mr. Syed Javid Gillani
Panelist
Executive Director, Muslim Hands
Mr. Siva Prasad
Panelist (International)
Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood(ARNEC)
DAY-2 - PLENARY 2: Research, Measurement & Accountability Systems
Ms. Vanessa Cavallera
Keynote Speaker (International)
WHO Global Expert
Dr. Saba Shuja
Panelist
Manager ECD, UNICEF
Dr. Shahid Soroya
Panelist
Director General, Pakistan Institute of Education
Ms. Jalila Hehldi
Panelist (International)
Co-founder, Sustainwiser
Prof Mathias Urban
Panelist (International)
Chairman, Early Childhood Education and Director, Early Childhood Research Center, University of Ireland
Dr. Tooba Saleem
Panelist
Assistant Professor, Allama Iqbal Open University
DAY-2 - PLENARY 3: Caregivers' Mental Health & MH&PSS Integration
Dr. Mowadat Hussain Rana
Panelist
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences
Dr. Abdul Wahab Yousafzai
Panelist
Psychiatrist, Shifa International Hospital
Ms. Safina Abdulloeva
Panelist
Health Manager, UNICEF
Ms. Falak Madhani
Panelist
Brain and Mind Institute(BMI), Aga Khan University
Dr. Asma Humayun
Panelist
National Technical Advisor Mental Health Strategic Planning & Coordination Unit Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives
CONCURRENT SESSION: Early Learning Opportunities (concurrent)
Dr Shelina Bhamani
Panelist
Associate Professor & Lead ECD, AKU
Ms. Erum Barki
Panelist
UNICEF Representative
Ms. Naghmana Sardar
Panelist
Directress, Directorate of Elementary and Secondary Education, KP
Ms. Komal Zuberi
Panelist (International)
Khalifa Bin Zayed Foundation
Dr. Tabassum Naz
Panelist
Director, National Curriculum Council
Ms. Seher Taimoor
Panelist
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
Impact Partners
Collaboration Partners
Knowledge Partners
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