The Conference Core Committee (CCC) consists of representatives of partner organisations responsible to organise the International Conference on Early Childhood Development(ECD). The Committee is headed by Prof. Dr. Zia-ul- Qayyum, Vice-Chancellor Allama Iqbal Open University as the Conference Chair and Co-chaired by Mr. Muhammad Rafique Tahir, Joint Educational Advisor, The Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training and by Mr. Nasruddin Rupani, Chairman Pakistan Alliance for Early Childhood. As such, the CCC shall be the Convener and Organiser of the Conference and has the formation and oversight responsibilities for all the Conference Sub Committees (CSCs).

1^st Meeting of this Committee was held on May 28, 2019 at AIOU, Islamabad. The agenda of the meeting was as follows

• to review the format, objectives and outcomes of the Conference
• to review preparation and progress of the Conference
• to discuss budget for the Conference and strategy for additional resources mobilisation

Dr Nasir Mehmood opened the meeting by welcoming the meeting participants and requesting them to introduce themselves. Followed by this he shared the Objectives, Expected Outcomes and the format of the two-day International Conference on ECD. The participants had a detailed discussion on the objectives and outcomes of the conference and suggested to make the objectives more specific. It was emphasized that the government’s role in promoting ECD needs to be highlighted during the conference. It was felt that, currently, many initiatives including policy formulation and curriculum development for Early Childhood Care & Education are underway both at the national and provincial level, but the public is not aware of these initiatives.  Therefore, to bridge the gap each province and the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training need to share the initiatives at the conference forum.

Talking about the sub-themes of the conference it was decided to have detailed sessions on the Role of Family in ECD, especially with regard to the first 1000 days of children. Ms. Khadija Khan gave a detailed presentation on the preparations of the conference and the progress being made so far. She said that nine international ECD experts have confirmed to speak as key-note and guest speakers at the conference, 67 abstracts have been received and letters for collaboration have been sent to all key donors and organisations.  Some donors have already pledged to sponsor the conference and some have shown willingness to provide in-kind support. However, more funds are needed to mobilise the conference successfully and the Core Committee members have to play their role in reaching out to key stakeholders to mobilise resources and conference registration.

The meeting was attended by the following individuals:

1. Prof. Dr. Zia-ul-Qayyum                                                          Vice Chancellor AIOU
2. Mr. Muhammad Rafique Tahir                                              Joint Educational Advisor, MoFE&PT
3. Dr. Nasir Muhammad                                                              Dean Faculty of Education, AIOU
4. Dr. Qudsia Usman                                                                    NPO- MNCAH
5. Ms. Nargis Sultana                                                                   SPOE FOSI Pakistan
6. Mr. Arshad Saeed                                                                     Senior Advisor, PARWAAN
7. Mr. Abid Hussain                                                                     GM CGN
8. Ms. Samina Qadeer                                                                 Program lead AEPAM
9. Ms. Sughra Chaudhry                                                             Director Education AKF
10. Dr. Zahid Majeed                                                                     Director Outreach AIOU
11. Dr. Fazul ur Reman                                                                 HoD Education AIOU
12. Dr Muhammad Athar                                                             Assist. Professor AIOU
13. Imtiaz Hussain                                                                         National Project Officer, UNESCO
14. Mr. Badar Uzama                                                                    PDO SUN Secretariat
15. Ms. Erurm Burki                                                                     UNICEF
16. Ms. Relindis YOVSI                                                                ECD Consultant UNICEF
17. Ms. Khadija Khan                                                                    ECO PAFEC
18. Mr. Faiz Alam                                                                           Business & Outreach Specialist, RF
19. Ms. Marium Yadgari                                                               Coordinator PAFEC