Global Forum Brings Together Worldwide Audience to Advance Investment in Early Childhood
The Center for Business Champions at Childhood Education International organized the Global Forum on Investing in Early Childhood: Business Support for a Thriving Economy & Social Wellbeing on April 8, 2025.
More than 1,000 people representing 109 countries registered to attend the event, which convened early childhood experts, practitioners, civil society leaders, business innovators, and policymakers to explore the economic and social benefits of investing in young children—and the powerful role businesses can play in shaping a thriving future for all.
We must break down the silos between the public and private sectors to ensure children have the foundation they need for later life success... We’re reframing business investment in early childhood development as a critical strategic imperative for all.
Diane Whitehead, President & CEO, Childhood Education International
Power of Investment in Early Childhood
The event started with a welcome session featuring Diane Whitehead, President & CEO of CE International; Elizabeth Lule, Executive Director of the Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN); and Justin van Fleet, President of Theirworld and CEO of the Global Business Coalition for Education.
The speakers highlighted the importance of investment, the power of partnerships, and the need to build a strong investment case to reach more people.
The people most affected by limited investment in early years cannot speak for themselves. They’re too young to articulate their needs or to organize a rally…I'd hope that we can all think about how we can build a strong investment case that can reach more and more people to take action in the public and the private sector.
Justin van Fleet, President of Theirworld & CEO of the Global Business Coalition for Education
The Investment Case for Early Childhood Development
Next, experts spoke about the state of children worldwide and the power of investment in early childhood development (ECD) from both a neuroscience and economics perspective.
Early childhood is a critical development period, with more than 90 percent of brain development happening before age 5. Investment in ECD can have significant impacts on the lifelong wellbeing and success of communities and nations.
Investment also yields significant economic benefits – including long-term economic returns as high as $17 for every $1 invested, and business that invest in ECD benefit from reduced healthcare costs, improved employee retention, stronger talent pipelines, and enhanced brand reputation.
On the flip side, insufficient access to childcare costs countries like the United States $122 billion annually.
Children are not a cost — they are the smartest investment [we can make].
Divya Lata, Early Childhood Specialist, UNICEF
Strategies for Business-ECD Collaboration
There are mutual interests between business and ECD, but issues such as cultural differences between the sectors and lack of familiarity with collaborative opportunities can hinder the development of partnerships.
The Global Forum provided a series of strategies for developing lasting and effective partnerships between businesses and ECD leaders. Speakers highlighted strategies for improved communications and framing and presented examples of successful corporate engagement in supporting ECD initiatives. Success stories from Kenya, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil, and El Salvador illustrated the powerful impact that business-ECD collaboration can have on young children and economies.
Companies are located in communities… There is a coexistence and a reliance on community wellbeing and health. That is going to necessarily be one of the foundational pieces of company success, whether it's in its headquarters or location, or in its operations.
Michael Carren, CSR Executive Consultant
Recommendations for ECD Leaders
Dr. Sara Watson, Director of the Center for Business Champions (CBC), led a discussion with experts to highlight recommendations for developing effective and lasting partnerships with businesses.
Recommendations for ECD leaders:
- Speak “Business” – Frame ECD outcomes in business terms such as retention, productivity, and talent development.
- Be Action-Oriented – Offer bite-sized, practical actions businesses can take right away.
- Build Internal Capacity – Dedicate staff and resources to corporate engagement.
- Think Broadly – Develop a variety of ways business and ECD leaders can work together to support the current and future workforce.
- Be Flexible – Consider many different ways to build your business network and work collaboratively.
[Businesses] may not use words or terms you are accustomed to, but if their goals are children being healthier, better educated, doing better in school, and good quality, reliable childcare for parents, then you've got the same goals.
Dr. Sara Watson, Director, Center for Business Champions at CE International
Next Steps
Building on the power for the Global Forum, speakers encouraged participants to take action to build networks and partnerships.
Ways to continue the momentum include:
Watch the Recordings
Recordings from the Global Forum are available here.
Explore Resources
Use case studies and successful models as templates to develop tailored engagement strategies. Check out the CBC’s Resource Hub for more resources.
Invest in Capacity-Building
The Center for Business Champions can support your organization in building the capacity to better development business-ECD partnerships. Sign up to attend a future 6-week virtual training institute, or contract with us for individualized support.
Engage Locally
Build or join business-ECD networks, and tailor outreach and communications for regional or national advocacy. Don’t limit your outreach to multinational corporations—engage small and medium enterprises, chambers of commerce, and local HR/CSR teams.
Continue the Conversation
Look for other opportunities to engage with organizations and individuals globally and locally to support your journey. Join with others who have similar goals to share your successes and challenges.
The time to at is now… Let's seize this moment to innovate, invest, and inspire change for the next generation.
Elizabeth Lule, Executive Director, Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN)
Learn More About the Global Forum Learn More About the Center for Business Champions
We are grateful that the Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN) served as a collaborating partner for this event, and we appreciate the support of ARNEC and ISSA as supporting partners for this event.
