of early childhood education, had an impact on early childhood education research, policies, and practices through­ out the world. Ideas from many lands continue to influence the field as information becomes available through national journals, the ERIC system, and such international journals as OMEP's IntePnationaZ JouPnaZ of EarZy ChiZdhood. Thus, the International Congress in Early Childhood Education convened in Tel Aviv, Israel, in January 1980 represented and ex­ tension of existing international perspectives in the field rather than a new thrust. The Congress provided opportunities for scholars, researchers and practitioners to present their ideas and report their work. It afforded an opportunity for each one to interact with others in the same field who might ordinarily have been separated by thou­ sands of miles or who might be familiar by name only.