International Congress on Early Intervention and Well-Being Held
The International Congress on Early Intervention and Well-Being, organized through the collaboration of the Faculty of Education at Cyprus International University (CIU) and the Primary Education Department of the Ministry of National Education of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, was held on the CIU campus with broad participation. The congress featured panels, workshops, training sessions, and academic presentations focusing on early intervention, well-being, and the safe schools approach.
The opening ceremony was attended by CIU Rector Prof. Dr. Erbuğ Çelebi, Director of the TRNC Primary Education Department Hakkı Başarı, Congress Chair and Balance Child Project Coordinator Prof. Dr. Çağla Gür, Dean of the Faculty of Education Prof. Dr. Fatoş Silman, as well as academics, teachers, educational stakeholders, and participants from various countries.
In his speech, Hakkı Başarı emphasized that early intervention is a crucial requirement for building a strong and sustainable education system. He noted that the project not only provided teachers with theoretical knowledge but also enabled them to develop practical strategies that could be applied in classroom settings.
CIU Rector Prof. Dr. Erbuğ Çelebi highlighted the university’s international character, stating that it offers a multicultural educational environment where students from different countries come together. He also discussed the university’s initiatives in sustainability, research, and academic development.
Congress Chair and Balance Child Project Coordinator Prof. Dr. Çağla Gür stressed the importance of early intervention for societal well-being, noting that the congress brought together participants from 43 countries across six continents. She stated that the event would facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience among experts from different disciplines and contribute to the development of new collaborations.
Dean of the Faculty of Education Prof. Dr. Fatoş Silman emphasized that education extends beyond theoretical knowledge and highlighted the importance of teachers’ field experience and practice-based work. She explained that the Balance Child Project, carried out in cooperation with the TRNC Ministry of National Education’s Primary Education Department, aims to support teachers in the field of early intervention.
As part of the opening program, plaques were presented to individuals who contributed to the congress and the Balance Child Project. Certificates of appreciation were awarded to educators involved in the project group, while teachers who successfully completed the training program received certificates of achievement.
Within the framework of early intervention and well-being, the congress featured the Safe Schools Summit, workshops, Turkish- and English-language panels, keynote presentations, teacher training workshops, and academic paper presentations.
Conducted in both Turkish and English, the congress addressed a wide range of topics, including:
- Early intervention
- Well-being
- Education
- Health
- Psychology
- Safe schools
- Digital addiction
- Family support systems
- Interdisciplinary intervention models
The event provided an international platform for sharing knowledge, experiences, and best practices related to improving educational environments and supporting the well-being of children, families, and communities.