World conference will bring 800 delegates to Northern Ireland

Early Years, the organisation for young children, is bringing its 2009 World Forum to the Europa Hotel, in Belfast next year.

Tourism Minister Arlene Foster welcomed the news that a world conference, attracting 800 international delegates, is coming to Northern Ireland.

The Minister said: “With over 800 early childhood professionals from over 80 countries around the world, this will be one of the largest ever conferences to be held in Belfast.

“This is particularly exciting, given Northern Ireland and Early Years beat off competition from South Africa and Hawaii to host this event.

“Business tourism is a very lucrative form of tourism, which is estimated to provide the UK’s tourism economy with 38% of its revenue.

“Our local government is fully supportive of tourism growth and earlier this year provided £60million towards capital investment and more than £20million, through the Programme for Government, to ensure long term, sustainable growth of the industry.

It is encouraging that, despite the current economic climate, statistics for the first half of 2008 show that overall tourism is up, compared to the same period last year. We must now build on this achievement and Government, its agencies and local tourism providers must continue to work together to maximise our potential and focus on further improving our ability to compete globally, for both leisure and business visitors.”

The World Forum Conference will provide a platform for delegates to address and discuss major issues in early years with internationally renowned keynote speakers. There will be over 50 workshops on policy, leadership, and curriculum issues, study tours for the delegates to early childhood centres across Northern Ireland as well as opportunities to experience the local history and culture of the region.

Siobhan Fitzpatrick, Early Years Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to announce that the World Forum on Early Care and Education will be held in Belfast next year. The World Forum will promote the improved delivery of quality services for young children by bringing together early childhood professionals from six continents to share ideas and perspectives and to develop relationships that continue into the future.”

The 2009 World Forum will mark the 10th Anniversary of World Forum Foundation. During the decade, over 5,000 early childhood professionals from 90 nations have participated in World Forum gatherings in Singapore, Greece, Malaysia, New Zealand, Canada, United States, Georgia, Italy, Hungary, and Colombia.

Bonnie Neugerbauer of the World Forum on Early Education and Care said: “We are very excited about bringing the World Forum to Belfast and have had great interest from our members on holding the event in Belfast.

“Early Years – the organisation for young children - is a highly-respected comprehensive early childhood agency working throughout Europe and internationally, and it is a credit to their work that the World Forum is being held in Belfast.”

Caitriona Lavery, Group Sales Manager at Hastings Hotels said: “The Europa is delighted to welcome the Early Years World Forum next June. Our new Exhibition Centre opened earlier this year, and to be announcing this global conference literally months since we opened, is testament to the validity and strength of our investment and the need for such a facility in Belfast.”

“The Europa’s Exhibition Centre is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology and offers one of the largest and most dynamic exhibition spaces on the Island of Ireland – the announcement of the Early Years World Forum is also evidence of the Centre’s world class credentials.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The World Forum will have over 120 presenters from 80 nations, the 10th Anniversary International Dance, five networking receptions, Gala Welcoming Receptions and Farewell Luncheons and an International Children's Art Exhibit.
2. For media enquiries, please contact DETI Press Office on 028 90529297. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager Number