Events

Since their founding, FMSI has worked tirelessly to amplify the voices of the most vulnerable and promote a culture of human rights within the Marist world and beyond.

Annual Children’s Rights Lecture 2025: Why Children Need Lawyers, Not Just Law

Date: 20th November 2025
Time: 4:15pm-5:30pm
Location: Swansea University, Singleton Park Campus, School of Law Lecture Theatre and Online

For over a century, special laws have protected children at local, national, and international levels, with the Convention on the Rights of the Child now integrated into many legal systems. This year’s Annual Children’s Rights Lecture examines both the progress made and the ongoing issue of accountability—who speaks for children, ensures compliance, and responds when duties are unmet. Drawing on over twenty years of experience, Professor Williams will argue that children need lawyers, not just laws, and will explore the practical, political, and emotional challenges in meeting that need.

Adjusting the Volume: Reflecting autistic young people’s experiences of secure care

Date: 25th November 2025
Time: 1pm
Location: Teams

In this webinar, Charlotte Wilson presents the findings of her PhD research project. This research explores the impact of secure care on the identity narratives of autistic young people.

Safer Internet Day Planning Event Scotland 2025

Date: 25th November 2025
Time: 2pm-4:45pm
Location: Online and at Ofcom Scotland, Floor 6, Quartermile One, 15 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, EH3 9EH

The Safer Internet Day 2026 theme is ‘Smart tech, safe choices. Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI’. At this exclusive event, you’ll hear from the Scottish AI Alliance, Children's Parliament, UK Safer Internet Centre and others about online safety and AI in Scotland. Join us online or in person to find out how your organisation can be involved in Safer Internet Day 2026, such as joining the worldwide social media campaign or running workshops with children, parents or employees.

Life at age 17

Date: 25th November 2025
Time: 2pm-3pm
Location: Online

Join the National Centre for Social Research for an in-depth webinar presenting the latest findings from the Growing Up in Scotland study, a major longitudinal research project that has been tracking the lives of thousands of children across Scotland since 2005. The session will focus on the experiences of cohort members as they reached 17–18 years old, offering a unique snapshot of life at this stage.

Embedding Children's Rights across NHS Scotland: Shared Experiences of Implementing the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024

Date: 26th November 2025
Time: 9:15am-4:30pm
Location: Online

The event will showcase practical examples of rights-based approaches in action—from clinical practice to strategic planning—highlighting how services are embedding the principles of dignity, participation, equity, and accountability into everyday decision-making.

23rd Kilbrandon Lecture

Date: 27th November 2025
Time: 6pm
Location: Barony Hall, Rottenrow, G4 0RA

In the 23rd Kilbrandon Lecture, Professor Firmin will reflect on the structural reforms achieved in systems since Contextual Safeguarding was introduced and identify cultural changes still to be realised.

Beyond UC migration - current challenges and future changes

Date: 27th November 2025
Time: 13:00 - 16:00
Location: University of Strathclyde, Technology and Innovation Centre, 99 George Street, Glasgow G1 1RD

Cost: Members: £148; Non-Members: 185

Playful Assembly

Date: 28th November 2025
Time: 2pm-4pm
Location: Talbot Rice Gallery, Edinburgh

The Children’s Parliament invites you to join them for a playful assembly led by children in partnership with artists and researchers, which showcases art and performances linked to The Children are Now exhibition. Be prepared for an afternoon of music, theatre, academic lightning talks, den-building and critical conversations, EMC-ed by children.

Childism Lecture

Date: 28th November 2025
Time: 5:30pm
Location: Talbot Rice Gallery, Edinburgh

You are invited to join a unique lecture with Professor John Wall (Rutgers University), introducing the concept of childism.

Childism, Children’s Rights and the Challenge of Children’s Empowerment by Moray House School of Education and Sport

Date: 28th November 2025
Time: 17:30 - 19:00
Location: Usha Kasera Lecture Theatre, Old College, University of Edinburgh

Cost: Free

COVID-19, Children's Rights and the Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility

Date: 8th December 2025
Time: 12p,-1pm
Location: Online

The Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) stresses that protections must account for children’s evolving capacities — the process by which they acquire competencies, understanding, and agency. In 2019, the CRC recommended a minimum age of criminal responsibility of at least 14. This webinar gives an overview of a peer reviewed article published by the presenters. The paper argues that the pandemic’s impact on development requires the CRC to revisit this guidance and consider a ‘developmental immaturity defence’ to better protect children who are now more vulnerable. The analysis will focus on the United Kingdom.