Today I gave a lecture at University of Cambridge in the Faculty of Education.
Title: Communication rights and social justice: Enhancing communicative participation for children with speech, language and communication needs
Abstract:
Communication is a human right for all; including children with speech, language, and communication needs and those who speak/sign non-dominant languages (McLeod, 2018). Aligning with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (United Nations, 1989) we have given attention to the “voice” of children. For example, we have creatively engaged in child-friendly arts-based methods to provide children with the “right to freedom of expression… regardless of frontiers” as outlined in Article 13. As communication specialists, we have the power to support children’s voice and to assist others to listen. How can we mature in our practices to enhance all children’s participation within democratic processes in their families, schools, communities, and society?
Thank you to Professor Jenny Gibson (https://www.languagesciences.cam.ac.uk/directory/dr-jenny-gibson) for the invitation and the excellent and engaged audience. I announced The Treehouse and the International Children's Research and Communication Centre during the talk was delighted by the interest and potential future collaborations.
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| Prof Jenny Gibson and Prof Sharynne McLeod at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge |
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| Some of the engaged audience who continued discussing children's communication after the lecture |
