Early Childhood in Central and Eastern Europe: Issues and Challenges. Action Research in Family and Early Childhood. UNESCO Education Sector Monograph No. 13/2000. First Central and Eastern European Early Childhood Care and Development Meeting (Budapest, Hungary, October 24-28, 1999).

This document is comprised of the proceedings from the first Central and Eastern European Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) meeting in Budapest, Hungary, October 24-28, 1999, convened to begin the development of an ECCD network in the region to address the similar needs and concerns of children in these countries. Following an introductory chapter describing the organization of the meeting, discussions concerning the objectives for the network, a possible working structure, and country representatives' responsibilities, the following papers reporting on the situation of children and available services are presented: (1) "Situation of Children in Albania" (Altin Hazizaj); (2) "Conditions of Education and Development of Children in Armenia" (Gurgen Vardanyan); (3) "Early Childhood Care and Development in Azerbaijan" (Iskander Iskanderov); (4) "Childhood in Romania"; (5) "Pre-school Education in Romania" (Anca Butuca); (6) "Family Education Programme in Romania"; (7) "Situation of Preschool Aged Children in the Slovak Republic" (Zita Badurikova); (8) "Early Childhood Care and Development in Ukraine" (Lydia Derkach); (9) "All-Ukrainian NGO 'Our Children'" (Vadim Georgienko); and (10) "Transforming Early Childhood Practices in Yugoslavia" (Mirjana Pesic). A list of conference participants is appended. (KB)