Wolverhampton to host international playwork conference
Released: 11 October 2007
More than 100 people will attend a prestigious international playwork conference in Wolverhampton which has been organised with the help of the city council.
The 18th Play and Human Development Meeting, featuring two of the world’s leading academics in the field of playwork, will take place at the Science Park, 16 to 17 October 2007.
Organised by PlayEducation in collaboration with the council, it includes original presentations, seminars and discussions covering current developments in practical and theoretical playwork.
A host of speakers will be sharing ideas and views including Louise Chawla, a widely published Professor of Planning and Urban Design from the University of Colorado. Professor Chawla is also a board member of the Children, Youth and Environments Centre for Research and Design who works on international issues relating to children’s rights, poverty, environmental quality and community development.
Gordon Burghardt, Alumni Distinguished Professor in Psychology and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Tennessee, esteemed editor and prolific author of works such as The Evolutionary Origins of Play Revisited, will also take to the stage to make a presentation.
Watching on will be playworkers, managers, planners, designers, politicians, academics, students, parents and carers among others who are interested in providing the highest quality play experiences for children.
Councillor Paula Brookfield, Wolverhampton City Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, who is opening the event, said: “I am delighted that this international event is coming to Wolverhampton - and to welcome all the participants to the city.
“Play is fundamental to a child's development. To have a meeting on such an important issue in Wolverhampton really puts the city on the map.”
PlayEducation was created in 1982 to address a shortage of training and education opportunities in the field of playwork. It was the brainchild of Bob Hughes, a highly respected writer and researcher.
Bob has worked on play schemes and adventure playgrounds since 1970 and has presented his thinking on play and playwork internationally. He was the first managing editor of the International Play Journal and is currently engaged on Islington Play Association’s Active Kids on Adventure Playgrounds Project.
Issued by the press office.