International Play Association Conference
Glasgow Caledonian University hosted the International Play Association World Conference in June 2023.
The triennial event, which attracted up to 700 delegates from over 50 countries, acts as a forum to exchange ideas and inspire action to provide all children with the chance to engage in rich, meaningful, free play, and is worth more than £1million to the city’s economy.
GCU's Conference and Events team worked on the bid in partnership with IPA Scotland, Play Scotland, Early Years Scotland, Inspiring Scotland, Glasgow City Council, Conference Partners International, and Glasgow Convention Bureau.
Professor John McKendrick, co-director of GCU's Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit, said: "Scotland is a world leader when it comes to acknowledging the importance of children's play.
"Successful cities are more than prosperous economies, they need to meet all the needs of citizens. They need to allow children to flourish through play.
"As the University for the Common Good, Glasgow Caledonian University is proud to host this international conference, bringing together the latest local, national and global thinking on how to facilitate play and enrich the lives of children, families, communities and cities."
Councillor David McDonald, Chair of Glasgow Life and Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "May I congratulate the successful bid team in their efforts to attract the International Play Association World Congress to our city in 2023.
"IPA’s mission resonates with our vision for the young people of our city; to respect and promote the right of the child to participate fully in cultural and artistic life. The pandemic has been tough for our young people, so we salute the excellent work of IPA Scotland and the wider bid team in involving Glasgow in the inspiring work of the association in promoting the child’s right to play."
Find out more about the conference on the IPA Glasgow 2023 website.
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