OMEP Aotearoa — New Zealand

What is OMEP?

• An international non-government organisation (NGO) founded in 1948 to benefit children under eight years old and their families, following the devastation caused by World War II.
• An NGO concerned with advocacy for young children and their families.
• A non-partisan and non-sectarian NGO.
• An organisation affiliated to the United Nations, which has consultative status with UNICEF, UNESCO and the Council of Europe.
• OMEP has more than 64 member countries throughout the world.

 OMEP Provides

• A global perspective on children’s issues and opportunity to co-operate with other international organisations with similar aims.
• Dissemination of information about related literature and research and/or conferences,
• Opportunities to network with ECE professionals, both within Aotearoa/NZ and the World.
• Publication of two journals per year called “International Journal of Early Childhood”

OMEP  Structure

Chapters:  Members elect their local Chapter Committee at an A.G.M.

National Executives:  Each member country is expected to elect a National President and Committee.  These committees uphold the Aims and Objectives of OMEP World and their country’s constitution both of which provide guidance for action.

Asia-Pacific Region:   Aotearoa/New Zealand is one of 14 member countries in the Asia-Pacific region:- Aotearoa/NZ, Australia, Bangladesh, P. R. China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand.

Regional Assemblies:   Each of these five regions hold a smaller Assembly each year.

World Assemblies and conferences: This is OMEP’s decision making body. All member countries are invited to send a delegate to an Annual 2-Day World Assembly in one of the 64 member countries. Every three years the Assembly is called a World Congress  -this is a much bigger event.

World Executive:     OMEP World Executive is the governing body.  It comprises the World President, Treasurer, Secretary and 5 Vice-Presidents, from each of the following Regions: Europe; Africa; Asia- Pacific; North America & the Caribbean; and Latin America.  

Aims and Objectives of OMEP Aotearoa/New Zealand:

• To foster optimum development of every child in regard to physical, cultural, social, intellectual, emotional and spiritual dimensions both in the family and other social environments.
• To advocate on behalf of children and their families.
• To promote quality ECE in all its forms in Aotearoa/ New Zealand.
• To promote a bicultural approach to the provision of ECE within the spirit of the Treaty of Waitangi.
• To further the development of multi-cultural values and practices in ECE.
• To promote for each child the optimum conditions for their wellbeing in their families, institutions and society. 
• To support any organisation, institutional group or individual activity which furthers the cause of quality ECE within the limits of the organisation’s resources. 
• To support research in the area of ECE which furthers understanding and provides direction as to appropriate provision. 
• To support early childhood programmes which promote peaceful interaction. 
• To foster international contact, communication and meetings of early childhood educators.