Organised by the Department of Developmental Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies, 30 Russell Square, London WCl, 10.30am-11.45am. Gus Schumacher, under-secretary at the department of agriculture in the United States and Catherine Bertini, director general of the World Food Programme, will lead a panel discussion on the current financial crisis and its impact on the food trade. Details: 0171 691 3411.

MARCH 3 FOUNDATION YEARS:THE FUTURE OF NURSERY EDUCATION

Organised by the National Union of Teachers, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WCl, to review developments in early-years education and highlight the importance of high-quality nursery education. Speakers include: Margaret Hodge, minister for employment and equal opportunities, Malcolm Wicks, chair, parliamentary education select-committee, Lesley Staggs, principal manager, early years (Qualifications and Curriculum Authority), and Janet Moyles, chair, Tutors of Advanced Courses for Teachers of Young Children. Fee: pound;30 and pound;55 for members, pound;90 for non-members. Details: Abi Onatade, 0171 380 4722.

MARCH 4 FUNDING MECHANISMS AND THEIR COMPATIBILITY WITH STANDARDS AND QUALITY Organised by National Association of Business Studies Education (NABSE) at The Old Granary, 27 Chester Road, Castle Bromwich, Birmingham, for all interested in FE funding and the extra management and quality assurance demands under the Government’s pound;725 million two-year package. Speakers include: Nick Radcliffe, assistant director for funding, Further Education Funding Council, Paul Lawrence, team leader for FE, KPMG and Jackie Fisher, principal, Tameside College. Fee:pound;85 +VAT (members), pound;105+VAT (non-members). Details: NABSE co Complete Support Group Ltd, 0121 776 7766, email: nabse@globalnet.co.uk FEBRUARY 23-24 ICT AND THE SENIORMANAGEMENT TEAM

Organised by Stands for Education at the Stakis Brighton Metropole Hotel, Kings Road, Brighton, to discuss where schools should be with their information communications technology provision and how they should get there. It will include case studies, group seminars and lectures. Speakers include: Professor Stephen Heppell, Ultralab, Anglia Polytechnic University’s Learning Technology Research Centre, and Frankie Sulke, head of teacher training, TTA. Fee: pound;345+VAT for meals, accommodation and tuition. Details: Simon Blacksell, 0117 9838800.

FEBRUARY 26 HOW THE ROLE OF GOVERNORS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SECONDARY SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT For members of governing bodies and senior managers in secondary schools to explain how governors should respond to the Government demands set out in the 1998 School Standards and Framework Act and how to make effective use of available skills. It will also define the relationship between headteacher and governors and their role in school improvement. The Ambassadors Hotel, Bloomsbury, London WC1. Fee: pound;169+VAT. Details: 0117 9838800, email: mail@sfe.co.uk