The Right Start: Babies, their rights, voice and the arts

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The incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into domestic law in Scotland earlier this year was a landmark moment for all children and young people, including babies. Yet how babies experience their rights feels complicated and complex.
On 6th March 2025, Starcatchers invites you to a day of exploration, discussion and learning in partnership with Children in Scotland, and Together (Scottish Alliance for Children's Rights) to start a conversation about what babies' rights could look and feel like in Scotland. We will look at a range of topics and themes, built around a programme of opportunities to share and ask questions that will help us visualise a Scotland where babies are included in policy and decision-making. We will focus on the role the arts can play in helping babies experience their rights, as well as the role parents, carers and adults play in the realisation of those rights.
The event will see contributions from the following speakers with the full programme to be announced in the coming weeks:
Dr Caspar Addyman
Dr Rachel Drury & Dr Cara Blaisdell
The Children and Young People’s Commissioner, Nicola Killean
Ruth Boycott-Garnett
Starcatchers
Together (Scottish Alliance for Children's Rights)
We would like to thank our funders Creative Scotland and the Independent Human Rights Fund, and Cattanach for their continued support of this work.

Images: Starcatchers and Dirliebane Theatre Company's Laaaunch!, photography by Ben Winger.

Starcatchers Artist Development programme

As part of Starcatchers Artist Development programme we have a small number of tickets available to early years artists at no cost. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

Accessibility

The venue is fully accessible with wheelchair access. The Barracks has a Sennheiser Mobile hearing support system installed. Click here for a 3D Walkthrough - Barracks.
The conference will be across two levels, and a lift is available for use. You will be asked for any dietary requirements you have during the ordering process.
If any delegates need to take a break, there will be a quiet space available. Starcatchers' staff will be on hand during the day if you require any assistance.
The Right Start is aimed at professionals, but babes in arms are welcome. There will be a room available for feeding. If you are planning to bring your baby with you on the day, please contact [email protected] to let us know of any additional needs you have.
If you feel comfortable doing so, please reach out to us to let us know if there is anything further we can provide for you on the day to ensure you feel as comfortable as possible participating in the event. There is an option to share any access needs you have during the order process.

Host or Publisher Starcatchers