Reggio Children is a mixed public-private company that the Municipality of Reggio Emilia, along with other interested subjects, decided to establish in 1994 to manage the pedagogical and cultural exchange initiatives that had already been taking place for many years between the municipal early childhood services and a large number of teachers and researchers from all over the world. This new experience was based on an idea originally proposed by Loris Malaguzzi and carried on by a committee of local citizens and educators. Reggio Children's aims and purposes are inspired by the philosophy and values of the educational project developed and practiced in the municipal infant-toddler centers and preschools of Reggio Emilia, in order to protect and communicate the wealth of knowledge developed within this experience.

The aims of Reggio Children are:

• to communicate a forceful idea of childhood and of children's rights, potentials, and resources, which are often unrecognized or neglected;

• to promote studies, research, and experimentation in education, with particular emphasis on children's active, constructive, and creative learning processes;

• to advance the professionalism and culture of teachers, promoting a greater awareness of the value of collegial work and of meaningful relationships with the children and their families.

For more information about Reggio Children and its initiatives, log onto: Reggio Children website