New International Advisory Board Reflects a Global Vision to Inspire Children’s Futures
Scotland’s Institute for Inspiring Children’s Futures has announced the membership of its new international advisory Board. This high-level Board will advise on the development and future success of Inspiring Children’s Futures, bringing together expertise and perspectives from Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, reflecting the truly global nature of its ambitions.
Inspiring Children’s Futures, launched in 2017 at the University of Strathclyde, as a joint venture between CELCIS (the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland), the Centre for Youth and Criminal Justice, and academics from across the University, with the aim of supporting children and young people globally in achieving their potential in life.
The International Advisory Board is chaired by Kathleen Marshall, an internationally acclaimed child law consultant, who was Scotland’s first Commissioner for Children and Young People. Subsequently, she led the Inquiry into Child Exploitation in Northern Ireland in 2014 and reviewed the ‘Children Law’ in the Channel Island of Guernsey in 2015. Her colleagues on the Board represent many fields essential to the wellbeing and opportunities for children including education, health, politics, children’s rights, law, economics, government, and social work.
The Board will officially meet for the first time on 22-23 March 2018 in Glasgow. The Members’ programme will include focussing in on three specific strategic themes for the work of Inspiring Children’s Futures: children and young people’s participation and co-production; supporting complex system change; and international children’s rights.
2018 is Scotland’s Year of Young People, a twelve-month programme of championing youth voices throughout the country and Inspiring Children’s Futures fully embraces this ambition. The Board’s first meeting is fitting with the year, as a platform to showcasing the personalities, talents of Scotland’s young people and supporting their potential.