Protesting for Little Voices: Education Diplomacy in Action

Group Submission Type: Pre-conference Workshop

Description of Session

Summary:

In this pre-conference workshop, Childhood Education International shares the Education Diplomacy 6C Model for Collective Action as a powerful guide for early childhood actors in supporting protests and movements for improvements in the Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector. Education diplomacy, with its transformative approach to collaboration, enables diverse stakeholders to achieve shared goals in the education sector. Through interactive activities, participants will explore how education diplomacy and protests intersect to drive positive change and develop strategies for advancing early childhood development reforms. Join us to be part of collective action for a brighter future for our little learners!

Background:
Early Childhood Development (ECD) is a crucial aspect of a child's overall well-being and future success, and protests have emerged worldwide to advocate for improved ECD policies, funding, and accessibility. In this workshop, Childhood Education international will share its Education Diplomacy 6C Model for collective action, positioning this framework as a guide for early childhood actors in supporting protests and movements for early childhood development.
The Education Diplomacy 6C Model is an approach developed by Childhood Education International that combines the fundamental concepts and practices of diplomacy, international relations, and education leadership and management. The practice of education diplomacy is transformative in facilitating collaboration among diverse stakeholders to achieve shared goals in the education sector. The model provides a skills-building approach for key competencies needed to effectively engage in collaborative work, including diplomatic communication, trust-building, partnership and alliance-building, strategic planning, negotiation, consensus-building and conflict resolution.

Education Diplomacy can play a critical role in supporting protests for ECD in multiple ways, including through engagement of policymakers and stakeholders; fostering dialogue and understanding; building relationships and alliances; generating support; supporting advocacy efforts; negotiating reforms; providing expertise and research; and preventing escalation. By leveraging these principles and practices of education diplomacy, protests for early childhood development can be more organized, inclusive and influential.

The pre-conference workshop will engage participants in interactive activities that explore the connection between education diplomacy and protests in the context of early childhood development reforms. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how education diplomacy can drive positive, collectively inspired change, and how they can use an Education Diplomacy model for collective action to develop strategies to support early childhood development reforms.

Workshop Overview (Learning Objectives)

Participants in the workshop will benefit from the following learning objectives:
1. Understand the importance of early childhood development
2. Learn about the concept of Education Diplomacy and the 6C Model for Collective Action
3. Explore the intersection of Education Diplomacy and protests in Early Childhood Development
4. Apply the Education Diplomacy 6C Model to Supporting Early Childhood Development protests
5. Identify skills for effective advocacy and collaborative work
6. Collaboratively develop Education Diplomacy strategies to support ECD reforms
7. Reflect on personal learnings and commit to Education Diplomacy efforts

Workshop Format
• Lecture and group-based work
• Hands-on, interactive activities

Sub Unit

• Pre-Conference Workshops, Book launches, and Visual Art Exhibits / Pre-Conference Workshop

Chair

• Amlata Persaud, Childhood Education International

Workshop Organizer

• Amlata Persaud, Childhood Education International

Presenting author

• Amlata Persaud, Childhood Education International