Report on the XIX International Play Association Triennial World Conference ¹³⁷⁸

The paper reports on the 19th International Play Association (IPA) Conference. IPA's activities are aimed at supporting the importance of play and providing adequate play settings for children from different countries and social background. In the focus of this Conference were projects promoting the child's right to play stated in the Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The paper, in turn, focuses on the specifics of how play is understood in Western psychology (an issue also discussed at the Conference). Among the participants of the Conference were specialists of various fields — psychologists, teachers, social workers, designers, landscape architects, outdoor playground equipment manufacturers, and many others. Discussed issues included modern playgrounds, specialist training, and play in inclusive education. Representatives of the Moscow State University of Psychology and Education became members of the Russian section of IPA that was established at the Conference.

Keywords: conference, International Play Association, play, the right to play, playworker, playground, adventure playground

Column: Scientific Life