First mass meeting since the pandemic
Children in Scotland is preparing to hold its first annual conference post-pandemic - and its first hybrid event, open to audiences in-person and online.
A mainstay of the sector calendar since launching in 1993, the charity says its annual gathering is an event that speaks to its aims: sharing learning, advocating for young people and coming together to influence policy and practice.
The conference takes place over two days, featuring a mix of keynote speeches and interactive workshops, with organisations from across the sector represented in the main exhibition hall.
Speakers will include Fi Milligan-Rennie, head of education at Creative Scotland and Jordan Daly, co-founder and director, Time for Inclusive Education, while a panel of experts chaired by the Scottish Government’s chief economic adviser Gary Gillespie will discuss child rights, budgeting and the key to unlocking the cost of living crisis.
The charity says that it has made sure young voices are at the very heart of the conference, with a young person co-hosting each day and children and young people’s involvement across the workshop programme.
Meanwhile, the organisation’s children and young people’s advisory group, Changing our World, has been at the heart of developing, delivering and evaluating the event.
Judith Turbyne, CEO of Children in Scotland, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be able to welcome everyone who works with and for children back to our annual conference. It’s my first as CEO since I took on the role in 2021, and I’m particularly excited about meeting with colleagues in person to reconnect and focus on the work ahead of us.
“Our children and young people’s advisory group, Changing our World, has been a powerful presence at past conferences but this is the first time the group has shaped almost all aspects of the event – from workshop choices to the major themes under discussion. Their role is a sign of how far young people’s participation and engagement has travelled since Children in Scotland was established almost 30 years ago.”
Olive from Changing our World said: “This will be my second conference and I can’t wait to be back. I’m hoping to attend some of the amazing workshops on offer and help out at Changing our World’s own workshop. It’s all about vaping and e-cigarettes.
“I’m excited to improve my public speaking, meet organisations who have my views in mind and work on topics I am interested in. Perhaps I’ll see you there!”
The conference take place at Murrayfield, Edinburgh on Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 November.
For more information and booking: https://childreninscotland.org.uk/learning/annual-conference-2022/
