In the second in a series of five prestigious Stevenson lectures on the theme of 'Citizenship', Andrew Lockyer, Professor of Citizenship and Social Theory at the University of Glasgow will discuss: 'Citizenship, Young People and Justness'

The lecture - which will be Professor Lockyer's first as the holder of the St Kentigern Chair - starts at 6pm on Thursday 19 October in the Sir Charles Wilson Building.

Inviting academics, professionals and interested members of the public to attend, Professor Lockyer said his lecture: "ﾅwill consider the implications of regarding children as citizens in relation to their rights and responsibilities to their fellow citizens and argue that liberal democratic theory has a problem with finding a proper place for children. Their treatment can no longer be regarded as a private affair for the household and is properly a matter of public policy, in which young people must have an active part.

"I will argue that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child gives them two classes of rights distinct from those of adults, which makes them a special class of citizens, in relation to which others have rights and responsibilities. I will also examine the problematic place of political literacy in citizenship education."

In the second part of the lecture, the concept of just treatment within the Children's Hearings System will be discussed. Professor Lockyer believes that Children's Hearings properly integrate welfare and child protection with justice and dealing with offending behaviour. However, he is critical of other measures that purport to promote good citizenship by community exclusion.

The concept of 'restorative justice' in a form that can be defended will be advanced by Professor Lockyer who believes it should be 'meditative,' 'reflective' and 'habilitative' between citizens including the young, parents and victims. He will explain and justify the central role played by children's panel members in representing 'the community'.

Professor Sir Bernard Crick, Stevenson Visiting Professor of the University of Glasgow, opened the series with a well-attended lecture on 'Civic Republicanism and Citizenship: the challenge for today' two weeks ago.

Subsequent lectures in the series are as follows: Professor Bart McGettrick, "Citizenship and Values: the school and beyond" on Thursday 2 November; George Reid (Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament), "Citizenship in Scotland and Scottish Citizenship" on Thursday 23 November; Professor Mona Siddiqui, "Islam and Citizenship" on Thursday 7 December.

The lectures are free and open to all without ticket. Each lecture will be followed by questions and discussion and there will be an opportunity to informally meet the speakers at a reception after the lecture.

Martin Shannon (m.shannon@admin.gla.ac.uk)

First published: 16 October 2006