INTRODUCTION
Defending the rights of every child from birth to age 8 in over 80 countries.
The World Organisation for Early Childhood Education (OMEP) is an NGO founded in 1948 operating in almost 80 countries that works to defend Human Rights of girls and boys since they are born until they are eight years of age (Early childhood). OMEP advocates for early childhood education and care as a right and a tool to attain other rights: integral development, citizenship, wellbeing, and dignity for all the girls and boys in the world.
Advocacy
We work to shape public policy, influence resource allocation, and place early childhood on national and international political agendas — from local governments to the UN.
Evidence of Action
- World Assembly Declarations issued annually since 1952 — most recently on foundational learning, creativity and culture (2025) and a UN Decade for ECCE (2024)
- Special consultative status with the UN (ECOSOC) and active representation at UNESCO
- Campaigning for a dedicated UN Decade for Early Childhood Care and Education
- Impact on local and regional policies across five world regions
- Participation in civil society networks alongside peer organisations
Education
We promote every child's right to quality early childhood education through training, programmes, conferences, and campaigns — for teachers, professionals, families, and policymakers alike.
Evidence of Action
- World and regional conferences bringing together ECCE professionals globally
- Wash From the Start — hygiene education integrated into early childhood settings
- Peace & Children's rights — children's rights awareness campaign and education programmes
- Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) research and training running since 2008
- Free online course: Sustainability from the Start
- Annual ESD Awards recognising innovative early childhood practice
- Play & Resilience / Toy Libraries — community-based play initiatives in vulnerable contexts
Knowledge
OMEP acts as a scientific and pedagogical reference on ECCE, gathering and sharing research, best practices, position papers, and academic publications — and advising governments on early childhood policy.
Evidence of Action
- New Scholar Award supporting emerging researchers in ECCE
- Theory into Practice (TIP) — practitioners' journal bridging research and classroom realities
- International Journal of Early Childhood (IJEC) — peer-reviewed academic journal (Springer), open to OMEP members
- Library of reports, position papers, and publications available in the OMEP Library and Archive
- Technical and scientific consultancy to governments developing ECCE systems
Communication
We use communication as a strategic tool to raise public and political awareness of early childhood as a human right — running campaigns, building coalitions, and amplifying the voices of children and their educators.
Evidence of Action
- Blog Rights from the Start — multilingual content reaching educators, families, and decision-makers across 80+ countries
- Annual World Assembly Declaration published and shared in three languages (English, Spanish, French)
- Active social media presence on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube
- Partnerships and joint campaigns with civil society networks and peer NGOs
- Communication support for National Committees across all five regions
- International Days used as communication moments for children's rights