Conference 2024.

Our first speaker this year is David Goodhart— a prominent figure in public debate in the UK, a well-known broadcaster, author, commentator and journalist and a commissioner on the Equality & Human Rights Commission. David kicks off our conference, unpacking our theme: Save the Choice to Care.

The Other Half’s Early Years Research Lead, Eliie Vivian is a mum of one and is completing a PhD in Philosophy, Theology and Religion. Ellie shares findings from their recent report What Do Mums Want in the Early Years, where they surveyed 582 mums and conducted interviews with 23. The overwhelming response was that mums wanted family-friendly work, more parenting time with young children, an economy that allows for care, and a village of support.

The CEO of Early Years Alliance, Neil Leitch, followed a career in finance by volunteering his skills to what was then the Pre-school Learning Alliance. Finding its ethos and dedication to the lives of young children chimed deeply with his values, Neil came out of semi-retirement to join the Alliance full-time and in 2008, became its CEO. He has been an unwavering leader of the largest early years membership organisation in the country, fronting campaigns on funding and the mental health of the workforce. He has provided evidence to multiple government inquiries, and was key in developing the two-year-old early entitlement offer and remains a powerful voice for the sector. 

Panel Questions & Answers

This is the chance for our online and in-person attendees to pose their questions to our panel of speakers.

Maggie Gordon-Walker shares about her organisation, Mothers Uncovered.

Anne Fennell, MAHM Chair, shares her experience of attending the Labour Conference and other events across the country and abroad.

Madeleine Wallin is the General Secretary of the European Federation of Parents and Caregivers at Home (FEFAF) as well as the International Coordinator and Board Member for Haro: she previously served as President of both organizations. In her work at FEFAF and Haro, she advocates freedom of choice and equality for parents in Swedish family politics and wants to raise awareness about children's needs and the importance of motherhood. She shares about the different childcare models across the Nordic countries.

James Heckman, Nobel Prize Winner and American Economist & Alison Baulos, Executive Director of the Center for the Economics of Human Development. We shared a video message from them both at our conference, and followed up with a Q&A session via Zoom.

A chance to hear what MAHM volunteers have been up to over the past year. Includes our AGM and updates on local campaigning and support (local groups and conference team)