IPA Glasgow 2023

19/08/2026

Hear from keynote speaker Dr Sudeshna Chatterjee, in Edinburgh on 5th September. A unique opportunity to get the inside track on the UN on the SPACES guide exploring child‑friendly urban spaces and planning for play.

The new SPACES guide from WHO, UNICEF and UN-Habitat shows how investing in children drives healthier, more prosperous societies.
Thrive Outdoors International Play Association - IPA ScotlandPlay Scotland Planning Aid Scotland

Planning for Play: Creating and improving public spaces with & for children

Date: 5 sept • 09:30

Keynote on the SPACES guide with Dr Sudeshna Chatterjee and Scottish speakers exploring child‑friendly urban spaces and planning for play.

11/06/2026

As the world celebrates and advocates play today, we send out a thank you for your advocacy and contributions!

The day commenced in New Zealand, then Australia and has spread gently across time zones …and now as the Kiwis and Aussies sleep .. the day for USA and Canada it is just beginning!!

There is something magical about a wave of play sweeping across the world!!

Please tag us in your events so we can all share in what you have done on this special day in our global calendar!!

15/05/2026

Join the official launch of the Arabic translation of the IPA toolkit for Play in Crisis - with International Play Association - IPA Scotland International Play Association (IPA) and Palestine Play Projects.
Link to register in the post.
International Play Association - IPA Scotland

As promised, our 2nd free webinar for IPA Members and friends is coming up on May 20, 12pm UK time.

Every aspect of children’s lives is influenced by their need and desire to play. In times of crisis, playing offers essential relief to the stress children experience and, in the longer term, is critical for health, wellbeing, recovery and the return of joy.

We will hear from International Play Association - IPA Scotland who coordinated the efforts to translate the toolkit and from supporting partner Palestine Play Projects (PPP) who will share how their work reaches grassroots projects providing direct support to children. We will also hear the stories of the remarkable Palestinian team members who continue to support children's article 31 rights amongst the devastation in Gaza.

Check you emails on 25 April for registration or register NOW via the link

https://ipaworld.wildapricot.org/events

30/12/2025

It is with such sadness that we learn of the passing of the inimitable Juliet Robertson. Juliet quietly supported the IPA World Conference in Glasgow in 2023 in very special ways. We dearly wished to bring author Monique Gray Smith, who is a Cree, Lakota, and Scottish Canadian author, to present at the conference. Calling Juliet to ask for some advice about sponsors, she simply said "I would like to help" and she did, with no fuss or fanfare. When Monique presented on indigenous wisdom in the Lantern room, Juliet's sister set up her phone so that Juliet could watch from outside. In fact, despite concerns for her health due to her suppressed immune system, Juliet was a loving and warm presence at the conference, sitting outside in the Glasgow sunshine receiving visitors from the many friends and admirers amongst the delegates, like the May Queen in her bower! Another lovely memory was made when our friend Cameron Sprague of Stramash Nursery invited the conference outside to share a moment with Juliet. We clapped and sang, hugged each other, smiled and cried.

Juliet died in the morning, Saturday 27th December, with peaceful dignity and at home with her family, in keeping with her wishes.

17/11/2025

Born to Play Book Club 5 is another good one! Still time to register for a ticket 📚

‘Born to Play’ Book Group 5 with Elise Guthrie Stirling & Nicolas Le Bigre

Date: 17 nov • 19:00

Upstart's fifth 'Born to Play' Book Club session with speakers Elise Guthrie Stirling and Nicolas Le Bigre

17/11/2025

We are 12 months out from the International Play Association (IPA) World conference.
Now is your chance to be involved! You can share your work as a paper, a play break, put together a panel, host a workshop and more.
Register at www.ipachristchurch2026.com