About Us

Mandate
The Consultative Group on Early Childhood Care and Development (CGECCD) is a global inter-agency consortium with strong links to regional networks and a track record of advocacy and knowledge generation and dissemination at an international level.  Established in 1984 by a small group of donor funding agencies, it has evolved into a well-respected global network with committed partner agencies, institutions and professionals involved in the field of ECCD at all levels.  The focus on young children (prenatal to 8yrs), their families and communities remains highly relevant in 2011 when taking into account the very large numbers of young children living in difficult and resource-poor contexts and the effects this has on their overall physical, social and cognitive development and well-being.

The Consultative Group on ECCD works actively to identify gaps, critical issues and emerging areas of need and interest related to ECCD for its work in awareness-raising, advocacy, and dissemination, and to seek out new partners.  We believe it is critical to promote a more diverse and creative range of ECCD activities that link different sectors, are more inclusive, and better address children’s needs and circumstances in the context of the family and/or community.

One key to the CG’s effectiveness has been the fact that Consortium members participate actively, and jointly take ownership of the knowledge that is generated through the “knowledge-networking” process.  This knowledge influences how the member agencies programme, and also reaches decision-makers in the area of ECCD as well as other fields.

Mission
The Consultative Group's mission is to improve early childhood policy and practice focusing on children in disadvantaged circumstances. We do this 

• by promoting a wider dialogue among practitioners, policy-makers, researchers, and national and international agencies;
• through the analysis, synthesis and dissemination of knowledge and through coordinated advocacy.

Key Objectives: 

1. Knowledge Generation and Dissemination
Contributing to the development of a diverse global knowledge base on ECCD  through the analysis, synthesis and dissemination of information which is accessible  and used by a wide range of actors and stakeholders

 2.  Communications and Advocacy 
Facilitating a broad-based global understanding of the critical importance of ECCD to  social development and poverty reduction and advocate for improved investments,  policies and actions to support the holistic development of young children.
   
 3. Supporting Regional Capacity Building 
Supporting regional capacities to generate and disseminate knowledge,  share information and advocate for the support of children’s overall development.

Structure:
Operationally, the CG conducts its works through a Secretariat overseen by an elected Executive Board, made up of CG Partners.

Executive Board:

• International Donor Organisations and Agencies and Networks:
  World Bank, Marito Garcia, Lead Economist and Programme Leader for ECD, Human Development Dep't, Africa Region
  Inter-American Development Bank, Aimee Verdisco, Senior Education Specialist
  Child Fund International, Mary Moran Sr. Program Specialist - ECD
• National/Regional Institutions, Organisations and Networks: 
  The ADEA Working Group on ECD for Africa, Rokhaya Diawara, Program Officer, UNESCO BREDA
  Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood (ARNEC), Junko Miyahara, Coordinator
  Arab Resource Collective, Nabila Espanioly, ARC Trustee
• Academic/Educational Institutions
  University of Victoria, Canada; ECDVU Virtual University, Alan Pence, Professor 
• Emeritus / Experts:
  Sheldon Shaeffer, Chair

Director:   Louise Zimanyi 

Program Coordinator: Marine Sukhudyan

Location: The CG is housed at Ryerson University in Toronto with the support of the Ryerson International and the Faculty of Community Services.

Please note that we are not a grant-making body and regret that we are unable to provide grants, scholarships, bursaries etc. to organisations or individuals.