Starcatchers presents The Right Start, a national conference to highlight the role of adults and the arts in the realisation of babies' rights in Scotland.

Starcatchers is proud to announce its programme for its upcoming national conference on Babies' Rights to be held on 6 March 2025 at The Barracks, Stirling in partnership with Children in Scotland and Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights). This pivotal event will bring together leading experts, researchers, artists, policymakers, and practitioners to explore and discuss how we support the very youngest members of society in the realisation of their rights under the UNCRC.

The Right Start, with the theme Babies, their Rights, Voice and the Arts aims to raise awareness and advocate for the realisation of rights for the very youngest children across Scotland, together with their grown-ups. With increasing attention on the rights of children, the conference will focus on advancing a comprehensive approach to babies’ rights that includes the role of the arts and creative experiences, as well as the integral role of a baby’s significant adult in their lives.

The Right Start will feature a line-up of distinguished speakers including prominent child psychologists, researchers, early childhood development specialists, and artists, and bring together innovators and decision-makers to discuss emerging trends, tackle challenges, and explore new opportunities. The event will offer a unique platform for cross-disciplinary conversations aimed at developing actionable solutions for enhancing babies' rights across Scotland.

Keynote addresses will be delivered by Infant Psychologist and author of the Laughing Baby and the Babies Laugh, Dr Casper Addyman, who will explore the innate wonderfulness of babies; and Gerison Lansdown, International Consultant and Advocate for Children’s Rights, will speak on evolving capacities and the role of the grown-up as children’s understanding of their rights develop as they grow.

Panellists include:

Dr Rachel Drury & Dr Cara Blaisdell

Dr. Ruth Boycott-Garnett

The Children and Young People’s Commissioner, Nicola Killean

Children in Wales

Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights)

Dirliebane Theatre Company

Parenting Across Scotland and Midlothian Surestart

The programme will explore a variety of topics including:

• Evolving capacities: Fostering environments for parents, caregivers, and families that ensure they can support the realisation of rights as their children grow and their understanding of their rights develops.
• The Voice of the Baby: How the artistic environment can amplify the voices of pre- and non-verbal children and support babies and their grown-ups in the realisation of rights
• Rights respecting early years settings: Policies, frameworks, and collaborations dedicated to the rights of babies.
• Infant curiosity and laughter: exploring the profound role of babies’ laughter in human evolution.

Rhona Matheson, Starcatchers Chief Executive said:

Here at Starcatchers we are committed to advocating for the role of the arts in the realisation of babies’ rights. Creative experiences offer a unique and inclusive approach for professionals when supporting babies, toddlers and their grown-ups in understanding their rights. This landmark event is designed to engage with a range of professionals around Scotland, from healthcare providers to educators and from human rights professionals to policymakers. Attendees will have the opportunity to network, share ideas, and participate in meaningful discussions that aim to create lasting positive change for infants and their families in Scotland.

Dr. Judith Turbyne, Chief Executive of Children in Scotland said:

With the incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law last year, this seems like a perfect time to be exploring babies’ rights in greater depth. Over the past decade, we have seen some positive examples of children and young people having their voices heard across society, however Scotland is still very much on a journey to embedding children’s rights. Many communities of children struggle to have their ‘voices’ heard and their needs met – this includes babies and infants who communicate in unique and special ways. We are delighted to partner with Starcatchers and Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights) to make this important event a reality. I am looking forward to a day of learning, creativity, laughter, discussion and connection.

Juliet Harris, Director of Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights) said:

Since 16th July 2024, babies' rights have been enshrined in law through the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act, making this conference particularly timely as we explore how to make rights real in every baby's life. Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights) brings organisations across Scotland together to drive change and hold decision-makers to account in making children’s rights a reality. The Right Start Conference provides an important opportunity to highlight the role of the arts, relationships, and early experiences in realising babies' rights in practice. We’re delighted to be working with Starcatchers and Children in Scotland to help drive this vital conversation forward.

The event is now sold out and waiting list spaces are available. To learn more about the full programme, please visit www.starcatchers.org.uk.

This event is supported by Creative Scotland, the Independent Human Rights Fund, and Cattanach.