A total 1,500 participants from various backgrounds will be benefitting from the Permata 2016 International Conference with the theme 'Children Beyond Tomorrow' from May 31 to June 2.

To be held for three days at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), this is the inaugural international conference for Program Permata Negara (Permata), the brainchild of Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor as its patron.

Permata was set-up in 2007 and it has never turned back, but instead uphold the responsibility to realise its vision and mission - as backbone of the struggle to uphold education and development of children in Malaysia.

In line with its objectives, the Permata International Conference 2016 will be a platform to learn from people with experiences, expertise and ideas on child development.

The conference will focus on topics related to Permata's seven initiatives: Early Childhood Education (Permata Negara), Talents and Art (Permata Seni), Autism (Permata Kurnia), child development through Al-Quran and Sunnah (Permata Insan), Special Education for Gifted Students (Permata Pintar), Youth Development (Perkasa@Remaja) and Child Health (Permata Children's Hospital).

Participants will be presented with comprehensive contents through simultaneous forums, discussions and workshops.

The conference will also see organisation of a 'high level forum' as a platform for First Ladies from several countries to share their views on importance of investing in childhood education for the country's future.

A total of 15 speakers from abroad send 33 from Malaysia will be speaking and presenting their papers during the conference.

Among others, Prof Francoys Gagne from Kanada, Prof Edward Melhuish from England, Prof Dr Siti Chairani Proehoeman from Indonesia, Dr LaMarr Darnel Shields, Prof Dr Pamela Wolfberg, Dr Andy Shih from America and Anthony Lloyd Sparnon from Australia.

Overall, the allocations for the quality of early childhood education would be an important investment for a country's social wellbeing.

Many developed countries have realised the importance of a good early childhood education programme at policy level.