The Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Association (PECERA) held its 12th Annual Conference from July 30 to August 2, 2011 in Kobe, Japan. This year, the conference was themed “Evidence Based Practice in Early Childhood Care and Education: promoting professionalism in the field”. The keynote speaker, Prof. Michel Vandenbroeck from Belgium, shared his studies on evidence-based practice, professionalism and respect for diversity. Academics from different countries in the Pacific rim had very fruitful exchanges on researches and practices in early childhood education.