On Monday 5 May 2014, the University of Newcastle hosted a mini-­conference co-organised by SJIEC, Hunter Early Childhood Australia and the University of Newcastle, and led by Dr Zsuzsa Millei from the School of Education. The mini-conference explored ways in which we all can engage in political activism and how children’s rights to quality care and education could be translated into everyday practices in settings.

The conference was open to early childhood practitioners, service providers, academics, students, parents and those who influence decision making in relation to early childhood provisions. There were 50 people from the Hunter region in attendance.

Please see below the Conference Program, Summary Notes compiled from all the presentations and discussion, and the presentations of several speakers. The key organiser, Zsuzsa Millei, has also allowed us to publish an opinion piece that relates to the theme of the event.