FOUR DAYS IN MAY IPA’S 19TH WORLD CONFERENCE IN

Four Days in MayFour Days in IPA’s 19th World Conference in Istanbul

For four beautiful days in May of 2014 the 19th Triennial IPA World Conference was held in Istanbul, Turkey. IPA members and friends of play came from 37 countries around the world to a magnificent building built as a hospital in the mid-1800s. It is now home to our hosts the Faculty of Architecture for Istanbul Technical University Taşkişla Campus.

The conference was organized by IPA partners Active Living Association with the theme of Access to Play. It was a memorable gathering as everyone celebrated the ratification of the General Comment (#17) on article 31 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and grieved for those lost in the mining disaster in nearby Soma, Turkey just days before our arrival. The conference tested a new concept for us: a one-day special workshop with the theme of Access to Play in Crisis. As IPA President Theresa Casey wrote, “(the tragedy in Soma) heightened our sense of urgency to focus attention on the importance of play for children in difficult circumstances.”

Keynote speakers and session leaders alike inspired attendees each day, and as usual there were more fascinating talks available than one could possibly attend. The interest in the special workshop on access to play in crisis overwhelmed the seats available indicating a very high level of interest that was duly noted. As much as there was to learn and discuss in presentations, time was made at the conference for fun and for meeting new friends who share a common bond. Such was the experience at the President’s Reception that was held outdoors in the University Courtyard. One of the reception’s most exciting moments was the announcement of five new IPA branches: IPA Turkey, IPA New Zealand, IPA Nepal, IPA Netherlands and IPA Russia. Branches each elect a National Representative to the IPA Council so formation of a Branch is a very significant step. At the same time 69 new members joined the organization at the IPA desk. More interest was shown in branches in other countries as well, all indicating a growing interest in play and of being a part of such an engaged community of members. At the General Meeting the Board for 2014- 17 was elected with some familiar faces: Theresa Casey (President), Robyn MonroMiller (Vice President), David Yearley (Treasurer), Margaret Westwood (Secretary), Cynthia Gentry (Communications Officer), Mike Greenaway (Membership Officer) and Kathy Wong (Development Officer). The special efforts of some who have worked tirelessly on behalf of the child’s right to play were honored. Marilena Flores Martins of IPA Brazil was made an IPA Honorary Life Member. The first-ever Valerie Fronczek Globe Award was given to Lothar Krappmann of Germany for his leadership on the effort to bring the General Comment into being. The award is named in honor of the late IPA Vice President who played such an integral part in building a worldwide awareness of what she once called “The Forgotten Article”. Also awarded were three IPA Right to Play Awards. Out of a record 21 nominations from 12 countries the winners were:

- Halabja Community Play Project (Iraq) - Playful Gardens – Promeny Foundation (Czech Republic) - Beit Issie Shapiro Playground (Israel) The two Conference Resolutions announced were:

Play in Crisis

This conference recognizes

• that many children around the world live in ‘crisis situations’ the causes of which are out of their or their families’ control.

They may be affected by natural and man-made disasters, and often have to deal with a range of losses; • that children may see their play spaces (including homes and schools) and relationships (including with friends and families) disappeared and find play opportunities restricted; • that despite the circumstances as perceived by adults, within the spirit of the children themselves, they may be in crisis in a way that is very real to them but invisible to adults.

This conference believes

• in the therapeutic, healing and enabling power of play, • that children are resilient, • that regardless of their circumstances children are entitled to exercise their right to play.

This conference resolves

• to continue developing our understanding of children in crisis situations; • to support them in any way we can to restore the normality of life through play; • to continue to promote the rights of the children, as expressed in General Comment 17 on article 31, and hold governments and responsible agencies to account.

Article 31

This conference welcomes and celebrates the adoption of the General Comment on article 31 “The child’s right to play”.

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