From ‘quality’ to equity, justice, and sustainability. Becoming political in ECEC – open lecture.

Young children and their families and communities are most affected by so called the ‘polycrisis’–a perfect storm of mutually reinforcing scenarios of climate change, loss of biodiversity, forced migration, war, violence, and poverty.

In these scenarios old and taken-for-granted dichotomies (e.g. global north and south) and certainties (e.g. progress) are fast becoming irrelevant. As they unravel, are they taking with them many of the conceptual and practical foundations of our field–early childhood education and care? Perhaps. But more importantly, I will argue in my presentation, the blurring of boundaries (the words of Rosi Braidotti) offers possibilities for new conversations across abyssal lines and with it, for shared learning and allyship.

There is hope–but, as Paulo Freire insisted, it requires grounding in concrete action. 

Follow the lecture by Zoom:

Personal Link https://hvl.zoom.us/my/krn2.m307.vm

Personal Meeting ID: 7235604412
Passord 823453

Mathias Urban, PhD, is Desmond Chair of Early Childhood Education, Director of the Early Childhood Research Centre (ECRC) at Dublin City University, Ireland. He works on questions of integrated early childhood systems, diversity and equality, social justice, and professionalism in diverse socio-cultural contexts.

Mathias is the lead author of the 2018 (Argentina), 2019 (Japan), 2020 (Saudi Arabia), 2021 (Italy), 2022 (Indonesia), and Brazil (2024) G20/T20 early childhood development, education and care policy briefs. He is a member of the European Commission expert working group on Early Childhood Education and Care, of the Global Advocacy Group with the global Right to Education initiative, and a board member of the Think Tank for Action on Social Change (TASC).