About IPA EWNI
International Play Association – England, Wales and Northern Ireland
(IPA EWNI) Committee
Human childhood is a highly creative phase in every human life
history – a time phase shaped and framed by characteristics shared
by all races and all people. Childhood is thus a combination of the
uniquely cultural and therefore human, and the wholly natural and
therefore biological.
After Edith Cobb (1976 p29) The Ecology of Imagination in Childhood
Purpose
of the Committee:
IPA EWNI
aims to uphold the right of all children and young people to time,
freedom and space to play in their own way by:
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Promoting the premise that playing is a universal behaviour
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that the benefits to children and young people achieving their
right to play are shared by all races and people around the
world
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that the benefits to children and young people achieving their
right to play are shared by all races and people around the
world
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Fostering and facilitating evidence gathering and exchange
(beyond and between international borders):
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to inform, invigorate, critique and enhance research, policy and
practice relating to play, environments for play and
playwork
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recognising that international professional networking and
relationship building encourages mutual support and promotes
understanding
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to inform, invigorate, critique and enhance research, policy and
practice relating to play, environments for play and
playwork
Objectives
This can
be achieved through:
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Debating in all relevant national and international areas, the
philosophical and practical rationales for intervening in
children’s play and the appropriateness and effectiveness of the
various responses that have arisen from them
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Advising and supporting the IPA International network and Board
to effectively work to influence international bodies and
agencies
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Facilitating the international exchange of evidence and
experience (for instance events, articles, papers, contribution
to PlayRights magazine, website and supporting study visits)
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Contributing to global consultation initiatives
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Facilitating ‘cross-fertilisation’ between disciplines that have
an interest or impact on children and young people’s play,
environments for play and playwork
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Setting up working groups as necessary to support activities in
line with our aims
It is
therefore necessary for IPA EWNI to be clear about the benefits of
play and how adults should provide for play.
Membership
IPA
EWNI Committee membership will be made up of individuals and
agencies willing to support this work.
For your information the current Executive Committee members (2012-13) are as follows:
Mike Greenaway - Chair; Blanche Thompson - Treasurer; Paul Soames - Secretary; Bob Hughes - Membership Secretary; Felicity Sylvester; Keith Cranwell; Paul Hocker; Perry Else - Vice Chair/Communications Officer; Karen Wilkinson; Jacqueline O’Loughlin
Click here to access the IPA EWNI Constitution
Click here to access the IPA EWNI Committee Terms of Reference