IPA Scotland’s work, values and principles are underpinned by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), and in particular Article 31:

"States parties recognise the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts."

We have been a long standing branch member of The International Play Association (IPA) for just over 30 years. The International Play Association (IPA) is an international non-governmental charity founded in 1961 in Denmark. It provides a forum for exchange and action across disciplines and across sectors. IPA’s purpose is to protect, preserve and promote the child’s right to play as a fundamental human right.

IPA has a small administrative Board of Directors, and a Council of national representatives. All work as volunteers. IPA has members in close to 50 countries, and active branches in Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Scotland, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, USA and Wales.

IPA World and IPA Branches initiate a wide variety of projects that promote the child’s right to play. These include seminars, conferences, study tours, research, publications, playground design, playwork training and the organisation of play programmes and play days. They often collaborate with other local and national organisations which promote the wellbeing of children and children’s rights.