Based at the University of Glasgow, the new Glasgow Centre for the Child and Society will work alongside governments, policy makers and NGOs to bring about significant improvements in children's lives by acting as a bridge between them and the world of policy and decision makers.

The Centre brings together two previously existing University Centres focusing on children's issues. Operating at Scottish, UK and European levels, it conducts research and offers teaching, consultancy and policy advice primarily in the areas of child welfare and child protection, children's rights and young people and crime.

There are a number of major Government initiatives and policies currently under consideration that have the potential to effect positive changes in the lives of children and young people in Scotland. These include proposals for a Scottish Commissioner for Children and developments emanating from the Youth Crime and Child Protection Reviews.

Cathy Jamieson, the Minister for Education and Young People, will be making a keynote speech entitled, "Children and the Future".

Ms Jamieson said,

"It is vital that we all work together to improve the lives of our most vulnerable children and young people. The University of Glasgow's joined-up approach to children's issues reflects the more integrated approach both national and local agencies are taking to support and protect children. The new Glasgow Centre for the Child and Society will make an important contribution to delivering better outcomes for young people."

Also contributing on the day will be Professor Robbie Gilligan, Director of the renowned Children's Research Centre at Trinity College, Dublin, who will discuss, "Promoting Children's Resilience" and Professor Malcolm Hill, Director of The Glasgow Centre for the Child & Society.

Professor Hill explains, "This event will provide opportunities to hear about current developments and consider the role of research and information in relation to children's policy and services. We want to make sure children's experiences and perspectives are included in decision-making processes and our Centre staff have considerable expertise in working alongside children to gather information to this end."

Dr Anne Stafford of the Centre added, " For some time now there has been a burgeoning interest in academic circles in seeing children as active, competent and thoughtful agents in their own lives. We want to ensure that children's experiences and perspectives are increasingly included in Government policy and in the legislative and decision making processes. But doing research with and alongside children is not straightforward. At the Centre, we are continually refining ways to do it."

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

You are invited to attend the full launch event, from 2.00pm ? 4.30pm followed by a reception on Tuesday 18 March 2003.

However, if you plan to attend for Ms. Jamieson?s speech only, please note that she will be speaking at approx. 4.00pm. It is requested that you should arrive for her speech during the preceding break starting at 3.40pm to minimise disruption.

The venue is The Kelvin Gallery, University of Glasgow. For further details, please call the Centre on 0141 330 3710 or the University Press Office on 0141 330 3535 / 3683. Please call the Press Office to confirm your attendance.

First published: 14 March 2003