C. Change Agents

Change agents and change systems in other jurisdictions

As noted in ‘our perspective on quality’, IQ sought-out respected ‘thought leaders’ who were advancing innovative approaches to addressing quality in ECCE. Some of these, like leaders in Reggio Emilia, were already quite well known internationally (Newsweek having declared in 1991 the preschools of Reggio Emilia ‘one of the best in the world’ ), while others, like the Te Whariki curriculum developed in Aotearoa/New Zealand using Maori terms and concepts as a basis for a national curriculum, were not as well known—but very relevant, particularly given the strong interest by MCFD in supporting Indigenous ECCE. In addition, Sweden, and other Scandinavian countries, have long been of central interest for those seeking innovation in ECCE, as has also been the work of various ‘ECE reconceptualists’ internationally. These were all on our list of potential presenters/consultants for a series of IQ Forums to be held in British Columbia. Between 2006 and 2012 a total of 12 such Forums were held, each including multiple types of sessions designed to address the interests and foci of the multiple systems and stakeholders we sought to impact. These forums included:

2006—Title: International Perspectives on Indigenous Quality Early Childhood Care and Development

Consulting guests: E. Pakai and L. Rameka, Aotearoa/New Zealand; K. Martin & M. Townsend-Cross, Australia; N. Iokepa-Guerrero, Hawaii, and C. Endfied and M. Niles, Arizona, U.S.; M. Greenwood, N. Rousselot, and C. Tournier, Canada.

Formats used: 1-day Conference; 3-day Retreat; 1-day consultations.

Additional Output: Special issue of Canadian Aboriginal Education Journal (2007)

2006—Title: Policies on Quality Early Childhood Education

?Same length for the full set of 12?…

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