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.
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.
Conference Format
ISSA Conference 2026 is structured around three core thematic strands, each explored through small-group workshops (12 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 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.
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.
Selection Criteria
Contributions will be selected to ensure: