The Childhood Practice team held a student conference this past weekend on the theme 'Positive futures: Bridging theory and childhood practice through the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)'.

Minister for Children and Young People and Keeping the Promise Natalie Don, also a UofG alumni, made opening remarks welcoming delegates. She was followed by UofG School of Law Professor, Bruce Adamson, former Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland from 2017 – 2023.

The conference explored a future where children's rights are realised in childhood practice and in children’s everyday life. Featuring a range of workshops, keynotes and lightning talks, the event supported dialogue to aid our understanding of children's rights in the childhood practice sector and within the Scottish context. 

Over 120 delegates joined Marie McQuade of the Childhood Practice team along with Deputy Head of School of Education, Sinead Gormally to consider innovative strategies, rights-based approaches, share best practices, and build an enduring network of advocates to help us pave the way for a future, where every child is an equal member of society whose rights are respected, protected and fulfilled.

This second annual event was designed for two reasons: to recognise the importance of the UNCRC and the UNCRC (Incorporation)(Scotland) Act 2024, which will be in force by 16 July 2024,  and allow students and partners to network, build connections and discuss and share professional practice about how children’s rights are enabled every day in the CP sector.

We sought to highlight the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of Childhood Practice sector and attendees had the opportunity to enjoy workshops from a range of partners including national third sector organisations Surestart and Scottish Out of School care Network. We finished the day with lightning talks highlighting students’ work to enable children’s rights in their daily practice.

The School's Childhood Practice (Undergraduate and Postgraduate) programmes are designed to enable practitioners who work in childcare services to gain an academic and professional qualification while remaining in employment.

First published: 9 May 2024

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