Call for contributions
The ISSA Conference 2026 invites practitioners, policymakers, researchers, civil society actors, and system leaders to actively contribute to a collaborative, solution-oriented learning space focused on strengthening integrated early childhood systems.
Departing from a traditional conference format of standalone presentations focused on sharing knowledge, the ISSA Conference 2026 programme is more focused on co-creating solutions, and is therefore designed around interactive workshops, structured dialogue, and collective sense-making, grounded in real experiences from diverse country and system contexts.
In this Call for Contributions for ISSA Conference 2026, we invite submissions for contributions that feed directly into the conference’s objectives and specific sessions of the programme.
Given the hybrid format of the conference, online participants will be able to attend plenary sessions and workshops. However, contributions accepted under this Call are reserved for in-person participation; unfortunately, online participants will not be able to serve as speakers, presenters, or moderators.
Please be sure to read the entire page below before submitting your contribution.
Deadline for submission April 27th.
Why Contribute
By contributing, you will:
- Shape collective learning on integrated early childhood systems
- Exchange insights with policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and civil society leaders
- Contribute to concrete, practice-informed takeaways that will inform actionable ways to strengthen integration for all participants and beyond.
- Increase visibility on your work, that of the organization you are affiliated, and the valuable contributions this work represents.
Additionally, contributions will be acknowledged in a post-conference publication that will be shared publicly.
Please note: Submissions are reserved for in-person participants.
Conference Format
ISSA Conference 2026 is structured around three core thematic strands, each explored through small-group workshops (9 topics in total). Each group focuses on a distinct system topic and brings together diverse actors to jointly examine:
- What works (e.g., concrete governance mechanisms that enable real cross-sector integration)
- What to avoid (e.g. common blockers)
- What to nurture (e.g. enabling conditions)
- Interesting ideas
Each moderated workshop will unfold as follows:
Part 1: 90 min
Speaker: Introductory framing of the topic (10 min)
Presenters: Two concrete examples from real life experiences (max 20 min)
Q&A (max 10 min)
Moderator: Facilitated discussion and group work (50 min)
Part 2: 60 min
Workshop group consolidates inputs from discussions on the topic which will feed into the concluding plenary session
Participants are expected to co-construct insights and practical pathways, rather than passive listening at traditional presentations.
Types of Contributions Sought
We invite submissions for four distinct contribution roles each linked to a specific topic/session in the programme.
Please note: Submissions are reserved for in-person participants.
1. Speaker Contribution
Purpose: Framing & sparking discussion
Format: A short, focused input (10 minutes)
Speakers are invited to:
- Introduce the core challenge or question of a session
- Surface key tensions, dilemmas, or system blind spots
- Set the scene for discussion without presenting a full case study
This role is ideal for contributors with:
- System-level insight
- Policy or research perspectives
- Comparative or cross-country experience
2. Presenter – Experience-based Contributor
Purpose: To ground discussion in concrete experience
Format: Short, targeted intervention (max 10 min)
Presenters are invited to share:
- Concrete examples from policy, practice, or system reform
- Experiences that illustrate successes, trade-offs, or failures
- Lessons learned that can inform other contexts
Examples may come from:
- National, regional, or municipal systems
- NGOs or civil society initiatives
- Integrated services (health, education, social protection, family support)
- Workforce, financing, governance, or data reforms
The focus is on what actually happened, not on showcasing projects.
3. Discussant in groups sessions
Note: As part of this innovative format, we are introducing this role to act similarly to a panel discussant. A discussant will not present but provide their expertise and experience by reacting to or commenting on what has been shared, being intentionally more active during the group discussions.
Purpose: To enrich and deepen collective reflection
Format: Reflective inputs woven into the discussion
Discussants are invited to:
- Respond to examples shared in the group with their own experience
- Highlight patterns, contradictions, or system-level implications based on their experience
- Connect practice to broader governance, financing, or participation questions
This role is well suited for contributors with:
- Cross-sector and (cross)country experience
- Research or analytical/implementation expertise
- Long-term system engagement
Conference Strands and Topics
Submissions for any of the roles mentioned above must align with one specific topic under one of the three strands. Multiple submissions are encouraged (more on that below).
Strand 1
How integration is governed - Structure
QUESTION
What does effective integration look like in practice, and how can it be sustained across levels of governance?
Topic 1.1
Horizontal integration across sectors (national/local level)
Topic 1.2
Vertical coherence: aligning policy and practice
Topic 1.3
Sustaining Integration: leadership and system infrastructure
Strand 2
How integration is financed and measured Resources
QUESTION
How can funding, policy, and practice be aligned to support integration rather than reinforce fragmentation?
Topic 2.1
Financing architecture for integration
Topic 2.2
Mandates, accountability and measurement
Topic 2.3
Investing in prevention and holistic support
Strand 3
How integration is co-constructed and sustained relationally Relationships
Co-constructing solutions: voices across the ecosystem
Topic 3.1
Co-creation with families and communities
Topic 3.2
Trust, shared language and frontline voice
Topic 3.3
From local innovation to system change
What to Submit
Interested contributors are invited to submit a short description (max. 300–400 words) outlining:
Required elements
- The specific strand and topic on which you wish to contribute.
- The role you are applying for(Speaker, Presenter, Discussant).
- A brief description of your experience or perspective, including:
- The context (country, level, sector)
- The relevance to the session topic
- What your contribution would add to the discussion
Submission guidance
Submissions should focus on learning, reflection, and system insight, not on promoting projects or organizations.
Multiple submissions are encouraged. You may choose to contribute to more than one topic/strand/role. Through the review process, you will be notified of the topic/strand/role for which you are selected.
Each submission must indicate one strand and one topic under that specific strand, indicating one or more possible roles that you are willing to take for that particular contribution.
Deadline for submission: April 27th.
Please note: Submissions are reserved for in-person participants.
Selection Criteria
Contributions will be selected to ensure:
Balance across sectors, roles, and geographies
Strong grounding in real system experience
Relevance to the session’s guiding question
Diversity of representation and perspectives within each group
Contributor Corner
Thank you for your contribution to the conference program. We greatly appreciate your submission and your willingness to share your experience and insights with the conference community.
To support your preparation and participation, we have outlined below the main milestones and practical steps leading up to the conference.
Review and Approval Process for Your Content Contribution
You have now received feedback from the evaluators regarding your submission.
By June 10
- If revisions have been requested, please submit your updated contribution by this date.
- If the evaluators have suggested a different role or program strand, please let us know whether you agree or would like to discuss alternative suggestions.
By June 18
- If further revisions are required, you will receive additional feedback by this date, and we will discuss the next steps with you.
Please note that contributors whose proposals are approved as part of the conference program are expected to participate in person. Participation in the official conference program will not be possible for attendees joining online.
In the event that the entire conference is moved online due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the organizers’ control, all approved contributors will be invited to present online.
Registration, Accommodation, and Travel Arrangements
You have now received feedback from the evaluators regarding your submission.
By July 15
- All content contributors are requested to register for the conference by the early bird deadline and pay the registration fee.
- If you are unable to register by this date, please inform us that you are still planning to attend. Please note that you will have to pay the standard registration fee after the early bird deadline. Without confirmation, we reserve the right to remove your contribution from the program.
Please also register for any optional activities you wish to attend, including:
- Pre-conference events
- Site visits
- The conference dinner on October 22 (Please note that additional fee applies.)
Visa Invitation Letters
After completing your registration and payment, you may request a visa invitation letter from the conference organizing agency, if required.
As visa processing can take up to 90 days, we strongly recommend applying as early as possible to avoid delays.
Accommodation and Travel
We encourage you to arrange your accommodation and travel as early as possible. Given the current global uncertainties, we strongly advise booking flexible and refundable options whenever possible.
In the unlikely event that the conference cannot take place in person, it will be organized online. Please note that the conference organizers cannot assume responsibility for travel, accommodation, or any other participant expenses related to cancellation or changes in format.
Preparing Your Content Contribution
September
During September:
- Online orientation sessions will be organized for each program strand. These sessions will provide further guidance on:
- session formats,
- how your contribution can help shape the discussion,
- the conference focus on learning, reflection, and system-level insights,
- transferable lessons and implications,
- and how key takeaways may be highlighted during plenary sessions.
- You will receive access to the conference app, Whova, where you can upload:
- your profile photo, and
- a short biography (100–150 words).
- You will also receive a link through which you can upload/link any materials you would like to share with conference participants, e.g., presentations, papers, videos, etc.
- The full conference program will also be published.
October
In preparation for your session:
- Closer to the conference date, you will receive additional logistical information, including:
- guidance on using the Whova app,
- and practical travel information.
Conference Information and Resources
To help you find all key information in one place, we also invite you to review the following conference website pages:
We look forward to welcoming you to the conference and thank you again for your valuable contribution. Should you have questions, please reach out to Eva Izsak, Membership Manager of ISSA: eizsak@issa.nl