Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

Child Rights International Network (http://www.crin.org/organisations/index.asp):

Established in 1995, Child Rights International Network is a global network that monitors children’s rights around the world.  The organization sponsors the United Nations’ Non-governmental organization for the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  They waged “A successful campaign for a resolution to appoint a Special Representative to the UN Secretary General on Violence against Children” (CRIN, n.d.) which ensures children’s rights are forefront the on the UN agenda.  In addition to focusing on children’s rights, the Child Rights International Network also monitors issues such as global child labor, children without parental care, sexual exploitation of children, and a number of other areas (CRIN, n.d.).  The CRIN website boasts a network of more than 2,100 worldwide organizations.  One of their values that interests me is a belief that “civil society, grass roots activists and children all have the right to participate and express themselves freely and openly in all matters affecting them” (CRIN, n.d.). 

For such a powerful organization, Child Rights International Network operates with a very small staff of eight individuals.  They do have a nine-member Board of Trustees.  There are no job opportunities posted on the website but what an amazing organization this would be to work with.  Their website demonstrates their passion for equity for children globally.  I imagine an employee (depending upon the position) would need to have a sound understanding of world issues effecting children, be willing to speak to very large groups, understand the governmental structure of many countries and have a very strong desire to impact systemic change for all children.

World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP) (http://www.omep.org.gu.se/):

The World Organization for Early Childhood Education is a non-government, non-profit international organization that “defends and promotes the rights of the child to education and care worldwide and supports activities which improve accessibility to high quality education and care” (OMEP, n.d., para. 2).  Based in Sweden, the organization can be found in more than 60 countries and holds membership with both UNESCO and UNICEF.  Their work on behalf of the world’s children focuses on several areas including promoting ECE related studies and research, organizing international conferences, publication of the International Journal of Early Childhood, encouraging the training of ECE professionals and family education.  

Current work of members is a advocating for early childhood to be prioritized in the Post-Millennium-Development Goals.  “These goals, to be called the Sustainable Development Goals, are being developed now and will guide local, national, and global decisions from 2015 to 2030. If we do not succeed in convincing the world leaders that ECEC is critical for individual children and all the societies in which they live – if we do not convince them NOW – we will have to wait 15 more years” (OMEP, n.d., para. 6).  The goals referenced are being developed by members of the United Nations.

I am incredibly impressed with the World Organization for Early Childhood Education.  Leadership appears to be made up of faculty from some of the world’s most prominent universities.  While I could not locate information about employment with OMEP, what an amazing opportunity it would be working towards goals that will impact our field for the next 15 years.  Again, I imagine someone working for OMEP would have to possess knowledge, skills and understanding related to the world political scene, how early childhood is structured around the world and have excellent reading, writing, research and presentation skills.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) (http://www.ibo.org/general/who.cfm):

This organization operates schools serving children aged 3-19 in 144 countries.  I became interested because I recently learned that Kent State University (my alma mater) has received certification as the only university in the world whose early childhood graduates (Bachelors and Masters degrees) are certified to work in any Early Childhood IB program worldwide!  I think that’s pretty exciting and this just gives me one more reason to be proud to be affiliated with Kent State.

The IB website lists literally hundreds of teaching and administrative positions at their 3,480 schools worldwide.  Certainly, each position has different educational and experiential requirements.  If I were younger, I would strongly consider applying to teach oversees.  I think it would be a really exciting opportunity!

Education, W. O. (n.d.). World Organization for Early Childhood Education. Retrieved from World Organization for Early Childhood Education: http://www.omep.org.gu.se/

National Association for the Education of Young Children. (1993, November). A Conceptual Framework for Early Childhood Professional Development. Retrieved from National Association for the Education of Young Children: http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSCONF98.PDF

Network, C. R. (2012). About CRIN. Retrieved from Child Rights Information Network: http://www.crin.org/about/index.asp

World Organization for Early Childhood Education. (n.d.). Newsletter 55. Retrieved from World Organization for Early Childhood Education: http://www.omep.org.gu.se/news/Words_from_the_World_President/no-55/