A word from Professor Kathleen Marshall, the first Children and Young Person’s Commissioner Scotland

Professor Kathleen Marshall, Chair of the Inspiring Children’s Futures International Advisory Board, reflects on why now is an important time more than ever for our work ahead:

“The distinctive impact of this pandemic on children is vast, and the risks posed to children’s rights to survival and development, as well as to their rights to special protection, education, health and food, have been greatly compounded by COVID-19, and, in many cases, by governmental priorities and responses. Children’s rights to participate in decisions that impact them have also been compromised. 

For those children who are in detention, in alternative care, in migration—especially those who are unaccompanied—and those living in poverty, this pandemic and related measures of confinement have likely had an even greater impact. 

A distinctive and well-coordinated response is required by governments, non-governmental organisations and local communities to mitigate these impacts. 

Growing and developing the work of Inspiring Children’s Futures’ comes at an important time, as we work with others to generate the evidence-base, build collaborative leadership and strengthen political will, to realise the aim of effective and rights-respecting policy and practice responses for children, especially for those children who are most likely to be left behind.

We look forward to working with many partners as we seek to secure real change for children around the world.”