National events strategy 2024 to 2035: children's right and wellbeing impact assessment - stage 1 and 2

CRWIA Stage 1 – Screening

1. Brief Summary

General

Under the National Events Strategy 2015-2025 Scotland has successfully developed a strong and dynamic events industry. This includes a world-class portfolio of business, sporting, and cultural events.

The term of the current strategy is nearing conclusion and Scottish Ministers’ Programme for Government committed to another review updating the strategy and extending its term to the end of 2035.

For the purposes of this Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment it should be noted that:

• The National Events Strategy is not a new strategy. It was first published in 2008 in response to Scotland's increasing potential to be a global leader in the events industry. It was then updated to cover the period 2015 – 2025.
• The National Events Strategy is not a Scottish Government strategy. The drafting of the refreshed strategy has been led by VisitScotland with input from the Scottish Government and other lead partners including the Event Industry Advisory Group,^[1] Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and Trade Unions. VisitScotland will also publish the refreshed strategy.
• There are a range of agencies with a critical part to play in supporting the delivery of the refreshed strategy. They include: Scottish Government, Local Authorities, VisitScotland, Creative Scotland, sportscotland, Enterprise Agencies, City Convention Bureaus, Police Scotland, Transport Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Forestry and Land Scotland, UK Sport and UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. A Collaborative “Team Scotland” approach between these agencies is vital for success.
• The refreshed strategy itself is advisory and places no new statutory obligation on any party – whether public, private or third sector. It does seek to take account of the existing statutory and policy environment.
• The refreshed National Events Strategy 2024-2035 is expected to generate a significant number of outputs over its 11-year life. These will be considered by the lead organisation and other partners at the planning stage for any actions flowing from the strategy. This may result in the consideration of individual Child Rights and Well-being Impact Assessments for specific proposals. This will take place after the Strategy is published and be a matter for decision by the lead partner.

2. Which aspects of the relevant proposal currently affects or will affect children and young people up to the age of 18?

To varying degrees all aspects of the National Events Strategy 2025-2035 have the potential to affect children and young people under 18 who decide to engage in events. There are no apparent negative impacts. Encouragingly, there appear to be a wealth of potential positive impacts which the strategy has the potential to maximise. The aim is to harness these opportunities. We will have a better understanding of what these might be as planning for the implementation of the refreshed strategy develops during 2024 and beyond. Meantime, the strategy does provide a list of what actions for each priority theme may include. Many of these have the potential to positively impact on children and young people under 18.^[2] In addition, the evaluation of the Year of Young People 2018^[3] continues to be an excellent marker to showcase the wide range of potential opportunities to enhance the wellbeing of young people via events.

3. Which groups of children and young people are currently or will be affected by the relevant proposal?

There is an enhanced focus on equality, diversity and inclusion in the 2024-2035 strategy, building on the public consultation where these aspects came across strongly in both the on-line survey and regional engagement workshops.

As a result, boosting equality, diversity and inclusion in broad terms is the key opportunity offered by the refreshed strategy to make a positive contribution to the lives and futures of children and young people under 18. Under the strand of inclusive events, the focus can often be on intersectional aspects such as accessibility for disabled children and young people and boosting cultural diversity for children and young people from minority ethnic/faith communities. In addition, there are further opportunities for young people under the workforce strand including around volunteering, fair work and skills and career development.

4. Is a Stage 2 Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment required?

CRWIA required ☒

5. Sign & Date

Deputy Director Signature & Date of Sign Off: Rachael McKechnie, 7 March 2024