Expert joins summit on children’s futures
A PROFESSOR of Children’s Rights at Edge Hill University will join a panel of leading experts to discuss how best to plan for children’s futures, during a British Academy event today.
Prof Carol Robinson will feature in an online panel discussion hosted by the Academy at 2pm today, Thursday, November 5.
The free webinar ‘How can we plan for our children’s futures? Should we even try?’ will focus on education policy and the extent to which children, policymakers and others should be able to determine the routes and subject choices pursued by children.
Drawing on historical examples, the panel will explore the interaction between policy and policymakers and the social, economic and cultural changes that affect children’s desires and choices.
Prof Robinson said: “I am delighted to have been invited by the British Academy to join this debate to exchange knowledge on how we can best plan for our children’s futures and consider the influence that external factors play in steering young people’s subject choices.
“One area of major interest will be to consider these influences from a children’s rights perspective and explore how education policy supports, or otherwise, young people to determine their own choices and path.”
The panel of experts will consider the issue through the lens of ‘being a child’ vs ‘becoming an adult’, debating the balance between prioritising what children need and want against what may benefit them most when they are adults.
The discussion will take place virtually by Zoom from 2pm-3.30pm. Those interested in joining the event can register at https://thebritishacademy-ac-uk.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_afViNLE6Q-mDfgcktr5BvA The British Academy’s Childhood Policy Programme was set up to reframe debates around childhood in both the public and policy spaces, and to encourage knowledgeexchange to explore new approaches to children in policy making.
Earlier this year, Prof Robinson submitted evidence to the Government’s education committee calling for children to be educated about their human rights to help them seek support if they experience abusive situations.