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
DAY-1 — Opening Ceremony
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
Mr. Stephen Rasmussen
Chairman, Community & Enterprise Development Organization
Keynote Speaker (International)
Dr. Adnan Aziz
Chief Program Officer, Global Islamic Finance Impact Program for Climate, Nature and Development, UAE
Panelist (International)
Dr. Alaptagin Khan
Neuroscientist & Instructor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Panelist (International)
Ms. Katy Anis
Co-founder, Carbon for Care (Online)
Panelist (International)
Ms. Mina Zamand
Economist, World Bank
Panelist
Vikas Arora
Chief of Impact Investing & Blended Finance, AVPN
Panelist (International)
Shekufeh Zonji
Early Childhood Development Action Network
Panelist (International)
Dr Shahbana Haider
Chairperson AC
Panelist (International)
DAY-1 — PLENARY-2: Nurturing Care Across Cultures: Innovations and Inclusive Approaches to ECD
Mr. Shinozaki Yusuke
Chief Representative, JICA Pakistan
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Saba Shuja
Manager ECD, UNICEF
Panelist
Dr. Uzma Qudsia
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
Mr.Ather Imran
Advisor to Chairman Lakson Group
Panelist
Dr Naila Khalid
Health & Nutrition Advisor,Save the Children
Panelist
DAY-1 — PLENARY-3: Health, Nutrition and Safety & Security
Prof. Dr. Jamal Raza
National Institute of Child Health Karachi
Keynote Speaker
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
Ms. Ayesha Raza Farooq
Chairperson NCRC
Panelist
Dr. Shahzad Khan
Vice Chancellor, HAS
Panelist
Dr. Abdul Wali Khan
Director General, State Minister of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination
Panelist
CONCURRENT SESSION: Early Learning Opportunities (concurrent)
Dr Shelina Bhamani
Panelist
Associate Professor & Lead ECD, AKU
Ms. Erum Barki
Panelist
UNICEF Representative
Dr. Tabassum Naz
Panelist
Director, National Curriculum Council
Ms. Seher Taimoor
Panelist
Education Advisor, Save the Children
Ms. Fakhira Najeeb
Panelist
Board of Director, Pakistan Alliance for Early Childhood
…and more presenters to be announced
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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