Kiwanis International and Bellarmine University will host a conference on early childhood development to raise awareness about the importance of the first 2,000 days of life and quality early childhood education.

The conference takes place Monday, April 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Hilary's at Horrigan Hall on Bellarmine University's campus (building #1 on this map).

"As Kiwanis launches its second century of community service, its tradition of improving the lives of children and young adults must be re-tooled and re-focused on creating new ways to engage parents, business and government leaders, and all concerned citizens in a revitalized movement to protect the youngest and most vulnerable children in their formative years," said Kiwanis International President Tom DeJulio.

The Kiwanis Conference on Early Childhood Development is a collaborative effort between Kiwanis International and Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky. The conference will provide information and inspiration about the health, safety and future success of young children. The conference will include panel discussions, plenary sessions, networking and sharing of best practices. Featured speakers include Past Kiwanis International President Will Blechman, M.D., Bellarmine professor Dr. Robert Cooter and Sarah Watson, director of Ready Nation and executive vice president of America’s Promise Alliance.

"The economic future of our region, indeed our country, is tied in many ways to our investments now in our smallest citizens," said Cooter, dean of Bellarmine's Annsley Frazier Thornton School of Education. "Bellarmine University is partnering with Kiwanis to inform businesses and citizens about the importance of early childhood education economically as well as in the pursuit of equitable opportunities for all citizens."

About Kiwanis
Founded in 1915, Kiwanis International is a global organization of clubs and members dedicated to serving the children of the world. Kiwanis and its family of clubs, including Circle K International for university students, Key Club for students age 14–18, Builders Club for students age 11–14, Kiwanis Kids for students age 6–12 and Aktion Club for adults living with disabilities, dedicate annually more than 18 million service hours to strengthen communities and serve children. The Kiwanis International family comprises nearly 600,000 adult and youth members in 80 countries and geographic areas. For more information about Kiwanis International.