CE International’s work began in 1892 with the effort to promote kindergarten education in the United States and internationally. Since the very beginning, we have been an international organization driven by the belief that education is essential to human development. More than a century later, this core belief remains the same as we look at human development on a global scale and see how education has the power to change lives. Today, our commitment to advancing education translates to a commitment to education as a tool for global development and sustainable futures for all. CE International works for the education of all children but has a special interest in ensuring that our energies are focused on meeting the education needs of the most fragile and vulnerable children.
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1892
International Kindergarten Union founded on the belief that young children have unique gifts and talents that should be nurtured through special places of learning called “kindergartens.”
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1895
Established first conference where educators join together to discuss critical issues in child development and education.
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1905
Began international teacher exchanges.
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1918-1922
Supported teachers and children living in poverty or suffering the consequences of war, hunger, and discrimination by sending educational supplies and toys to those living in World War I conflict zones.
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1924
Childhood Education journal launched to provide greater guidance to teachers of young children worldwide.
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1926
Engaged with experts who traveled worldwide to create shared understandings about the positive impact of education. These first “Education Diplomats” provided the grounding for our current Education Diplomacy program.
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1930
Participated in the first U.S. White House Conference on child health and protection to raise awareness and focus public attention on issues affecting children’s well-being.
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1931
Joined with the U.S. National Primary Council to form the “Association for Childhood Education” (ACE), recognizing the common needs in child development across the early years and strengthening child advocacy efforts.
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1935
Hired by the U.S. Works Progress Administration (WPA), a recovery program of the Great Depression, to publish materials for early years teachers.
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1943-44
Sent books, learning materials, toys, and curriculum guides to teachers and kindergartens in refugee camps for children displaced in conflict-affected nations during World War II.
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1946
Strengthened organizational resolve to work on global education issues by reinserting “international” in its name—the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI).
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1948
Supported the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was the first document to establish education as a right for all.
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1949
Took a stand against discrimination in the United States by denying the requests of three ACE state associations to have racially segregated education associations.
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1961-1963
Incorporated optimal education, development, and well-being of children and the needs of children in a changing society into its mission, supporting the ideals of equal access to education and education as a right.
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1970
Worked with embassies located in Washington, D.C., to share effective teaching practices with educators from other nations.
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1973-1977
Became a leading contributor on education issues to the United Nations and received Consultative Status through the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
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1986
Established Journal of Research in Childhood Education to publish scholarly work from around the world.
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1990
Supported the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and tailored programs and publications to raise awareness of child rights.
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1992
Celebrated its 100th Anniversary.
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1999
Held the first conference on global quality standards with representatives from over 90 education organizations and developed the very first set of Global Guidelines for Early Care and Education.
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2000
Participated in the World Education Forum Dakar, Senegal, where the Dakar Framework for Action is created.
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2010-2011
Developed the concept of Education Diplomacy to help educators shape a new way forward to advance the global concerns of education, and held first Institute for Education Diplomacy.
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2012
Held first Global Summit on Childhood to examine issues of child growth, development, education, and learning in a rapidly changing 21st century.
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2014
Launched Country Lead Network, engaging CE International education representatives in over 50 nations.
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2016
Shifted focus to new innovations that are advancing and transforming education. Adopted a mission “to promote innovative solutions to education challenges.”
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2017
Launched our International Principles of Practice in Education, which describes the enormous contribution of educators to human development and societal progress.
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2019
Changed name to Childhood Education International and is accepted as an NGO in official partnership with UNESCO.
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2020
Reaching educators in 184 nations around the world, Childhood Education Innovations explores new ideas and insights that advance education.
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2021
Refined Practice Areas of Well-being, Innovation, and Leadership, and expanded service opportunities to peer organizations and individuals.
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2022
Center for Professional Learning (formerly Center for Learning in Practice) relaunched as the flagship center in CE International after being acquired in late 2021.
