Early childhood education conference to be held in WA

13/10/93

Western Australia will be the venue for a major international conference on early childhood education in September next year.

Although preparatory work has been underway for some time, the conference was officially launched at a function at the University of Western Australia this evening by the Minister for Community Development and the Family, Roger Nicholls.

The conference is the 20th triennial conference of the Australian Early Childhood Association, an event last held in Perth in 1972.

Mr Nicholls pledged continued Government support to help bring internationally-renowned speakers to the conference and appealed for community involvement.

In particular, he invited those sections of industry associated with children's services to participate in the trade fair being organised in association with the conference.

"It will be the best national and international marketing opportunity right here in our own backyard for some time," he told industry representatives at the function.

"I also believe that the economic strength of the industries associated with early childhood ought to be available to support the work of early childhood educators.

"We will all be better off when our economic energy and our social energy are mutually supportive."

Mr Nicholls said that the AECA had an outstanding reputation for the quality of its performance in support of children and families.

Coming as it did in the Year of the Family, the AECA conference would provide a spur to reinforce the positive values of family life.

The conference theme 'Good Beginnings Never End' was a powerful message for parents and early childhood educators.

Media contact: Hugh Ryan 221 5468 or 222 9595