Publication - Impact assessment

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

Published: 28 May 2024
Directorate: Culture and Major Events Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport
ISBN: 9781836010753

The children's right and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) for the refreshed national events strategy 2024 to 2035.

Analysis of the evidence

4. How have the findings outlined in questions 1-3 influenced the development of the relevant proposal?

This refreshed strategy draws on contributions and feedback from a public consultation and wider meetings with people and organisations^[30] across 2023.

The impact assessments developed alongside the strategy have also shaped its content. This includes the Stage 1 and Stage 2 Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessments.

The strategy sets out what the actions for each priority theme may include. Many of the actions listed could positively impact children and young people. This includes:

The “Developing the sector – Attract, Retain, Develop a Diverse Talent Pool” theme – has a potential action relating to children and young people. This is “Work in partnership across schools, Further Education and Higher Education, support employers to develop targeted programmes of work-based learning, and mentoring – particularly for young people and middle management to improve the gender, ability, and minority ethnic balance.” This potential action will be further considered during implementation.
The "Developing events – inclusive events” theme has a series of actions for further consideration that have the potential to positively impact children and young people. These are:
- Ensure the many and diverse cultures and traditions of all of Scotland’s people, including New Scots,^[31] are reflected across our events portfolio, in recognition of the transformative and empowering role of events in building inclusive, supportive communities.
- Encourage and support communities and other groups to get involved in events via Third Sector Interfaces^[32] and other local and national bodies.
- Promote the importance of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion to the sector, providing up to date guidance on and how to deliver inclusive events.

It is expected that a detailed action plan will be created for the refreshed strategy. This will be developed and overseen by the Events Industry Advisory Group (EIAG), together with partners. This group would agree measures and regularly monitor progress. This includes considering the impacts on young people and children under 18.

5. Assessing for compatibility against the UNCRC requirements

UNCRC Articles

What impact does/will your relevant proposal have on children’s rights

Article 1 Definition of the child - Neutral

Article 2 Non-discrimination - Positive

Article 3 Best interests of the child - Neutral

Article 4 Implementation of the Convention - Neutral

Article 5 Parental guidance and a child’s evolving capacities - Neutral

Article 6 Life, survival and development - Neutral

Article 7 Birth registration, name, nationality, care - Neutral

Article 8 Protection and preservation of identity - Neutral

Article 9 Separation from parents - Neutral

Article 10 Family reunification - Neutral

Article 11 Abduction and non-return of children - Neutral

Article 12 Respect for the views of the child - Positive

Article 13 Freedom of expression - Positive

Article 14 Freedom of thought, belief and religion - Neutral

Article 15 Freedom of association - Positive

Article 16 Right to privacy - Neutral

Article 17 Access to information from the media - Positive

Article 18 Parental responsibilities and state assistance - Neutral

Article 19 Protection from violence, abuse and neglect - Neutral

Article 20 Children unable to live with their family - Neutral

Article 21 Adoption - Neutral

Article 22 Refugee children - Neutral

Article 23 Children with a disability - Positive

Article 24 Health and health services - Neutral

Article 25 Review of treatment in care - Neutral

Article 26 Social security - Neutral

Article 27 Adequate standard of living - Neutral

Article 28 Right to education - Neutral

Article 29 Goals of education - Neutral

Article 30 Children from minority or indigenous groups - Positive

Article 31 Leisure, play and culture - Positive

Article 32 Child labour - Neutral

Article 33 Drug abuse - Neutral

Article 34 Sexual exploitation - Neutral

Article 35 Abduction, sale and trafficking - Neutral

Article 36 Other forms of exploitation - Neutral

Article 37 Inhumane treatment and detention - Neutral

Article 38 War and armed conflicts - Neutral

Article 39 Recovery from trauma and reintegration - Neutral

Article 40 Juvenile justice - Neutral

Article 41 Respect for higher national standards - Neutral

Article 42 Knowledge of rights - Neutral

First optional protocol

Article 4 - Neutral

Article 5 - Neutral

Article 6 - Neutral

Article 7 - Neutral

Second Optional Protocol

Article 1 - Neutral

Article 2 - Neutral

Article 3 - Neutral

Article 4 - Neutral

Article 6 - Neutral

Article 7 - Neutral

Article 8 - Neutral

Article 9 - Neutral

Article 10 - Neutral

Article 11 - Neutral

6. Impact on children and young people

All aspects of the National Events Strategy 2024-2035 have the potential to affect children and young people. There are no apparent negative impacts of the strategy for children and young people. Encouragingly, there could be a number of potential positive impacts. The strategy has the potential to maximise these. We will have a better understanding of what these might be as planning for strategy implementation develops during 2024.

The evaluation of the Year of Young People 2018^[33] continues to be an excellent marker to showcase the wide range of potential opportunities.

In terms of the UNCRC articles, most of the impacts are neutral and the refreshed strategy is expected to have no effect either positively or negatively. This is because the strategy has a focus on Scotland’s events, which by their nature are not expected to affect these articles directly or indirectly. This is further clarified by the mission for the National Events Strategy which is to:

“Sustain and develop, through a Team Scotland approach, a dynamic, resilient, and responsible events sector that is recognised as a global leader and valued for its contribution to Scotland's wellbeing economy. It will achieve this through the delivery of a world-class, diverse, and inclusive portfolio of cultural, sport and business events - for participants, workforce, communities, and visitors.”

In broader terms, events and the refreshed strategy could have a positive effect on articles 2, 12, 13, 15, 17, 23, 30 and 31. These will largely be indirect impacts as the events are not being held specifically for these purposes. However, they can make a positive difference depending on the location, scale and type of event. There will be some direct impacts. This could be around boosting the accessibility of events, which would have a positive impact on article 23 – children with a disability.

Events can support long term regeneration of our places, helping deliver the place principle and improve outcomes for communities. For example, the 2014 Commonwealth Games had regeneration as a key outcome.

Events create an opportunity for communities to come together, improve perceptions of place, and directly address issues related to social isolation and loneliness.^[34] This means that events can support wellbeing and health outcomes for all people living in Scotland. This includes children and young people.^[35] Events can also provide volunteering opportunities that promote wellbeing and social connectedness.

More specifically, the strategy can positively affect children and young people who: attend events; deliver events; live in a neighbourhood hosting events; or work or volunteer in the events sector. The effects of the strategy on the lives of children and young people could be different depending on: their age; location; the types of events available; event content; event cost; and people’s event attendance preferences.

Different sorts of events can also deliver different impacts. For example, sporting events can inspire children and young people to adopt more active lifestyles. They can also boost participation in sports with all the benefits to physical and mental health and general wellbeing this brings. ^[36] The biggest events such as COP26 can increase children and younger people’s awareness of key issues facing society. They can also provide opportunities to enhance education and skills.^[37] There is significant evidence of the benefits of all types of events to community wellbeing, community engagement and empowerment, and neighbourhood pride. There is also evidence events can enhance equality, diversity, and inclusion.^[38] These themes all came through strongly in the public consultation to help develop the strategy.

VisitScotland, on behalf of the Event Industry Advisory Group, commissioned a research project to understand how events contribute to Scotland’s wellbeing and identify measures for wellbeing impacts.^[39] This includes coverage of the impact on young people.

Events can range from the very largest events which have a significant worldwide profile and reach like the Cycling World Championships, through to small community events taking place in neighbourhoods across Scotland. Each event can bring its own benefits to children and young people. Events can also make a vital contribution across a wide range of the Scottish Government’s national outcomes as well as to the National Events Strategy.

Events can have direct (volunteering, skills development, wellbeing) and indirect (enhancing neighbourhood pride and empowerment) benefits for children and young people.

Most events are open to all ages. Some events will have age restrictions due to content, timing, and the wider hospitality offer, which may include alcohol, or other factors.

Some events which largely attract an adult audience – often held later in the evening – have programme activities specifically designed to engage children, young people, and families earlier in the day. For example, the focus of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is the street party and concert. These happen around midnight and generally would not be regarded as suitable for children. To boost inclusion, the organisers have included events aimed at a family audience. These include the Torchlight Procession and “Sprogmanay” (a free afternoon of fun for children at the National Museum of Scotland) as part of the wider Hogmanay programme. Similarly, Edinburgh’s festivals offer cultural activities aimed at children and young people as an integral part of the overall offer. Many of these are educational – for example around the annual Science Festival^[40] and the International Children’s Festival.^[41]

In summary, our analysis of the available evidence highlights a strong opportunity for the National Events Strategy 2024-2035 to positively impact on the lives of children and young people. Building on earlier editions of the National Events Strategy, significant progress has already been made towards achieving this goal. This can be seen through initiatives like the Year of Young People and events like the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2018 European Championships. Ensuring children and young people have a central role in events continues to be essential if we are to deliver on the vision and mission as set out in the refreshed strategy. Implementation of the strategy could help with delivery of other key Scottish Government and partner objectives, including the National Youth Work Strategy.^[42]

7. Negative Impact/Incompatibility

No negative impacts/incompatibility identified.

8. Options for modification or mitigation of negative impact or incompatibility

What options have been considered to modify the existing legislation or decision or relevant proposal in order to mitigate negative impact or potential incompatibility issues?

No negative impacts or potential incompatibility issues have been identified.

9. Positive impact: Giving better or further effect to children’s rights in Scotland

We have identified positive impacts related to the strategy. These focus on:

Article 2- Non- discrimination- There is an enhanced focus on equality, diversity and inclusion in the 2024-2035 strategy. This builds on the public consultation where these aspects came across strongly. 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.

Article 12 – Respect for the views of the child: Initiatives like the 2018 Year of Young People^[43] place young people at the centre of event design and delivery. This included responding to the views of young people on what sort of events they would like to deliver. It also included involving them throughout the process through planning, delivery and measuring impacts.

Article 13- Freedom of expression: Events by their nature can provide the opportunity to seek, receive and impart information. For example, Scotland hosted the 16th Conference of Youth (COY16)^[44]. This was the UN’s official youth event for COP26. The Conference of Youth is an essential part of the COP calendar. It helps prepare young people for their participation in COP. It gives young people a voice in the climate negotiations. It provides delegates from countries across the world the chance to meet, share experiences and build skills.

Article 15 – Freedom of Association: This is because events provide an opportunity for young people to gather to enjoy sport and cultural activities.

Article 17 – Access to information from the media: This is because events can showcase aspects like Net Zero/Environmental Sustainability (COP 26). This can inspire young people and engage them in tackling the climate emergency.

Article 23 – Children with a disability: This is because the refreshed strategy promotes delivery of inclusive events.^[45] A central part of this is boosting the accessibility of events. For example, through providing enhanced, accurate and easily accessible information on the journey to and from an event and what people should expect at the venue. This is essential for disabled people, including disabled young people.

Article 30 – Children from minority or indigenous groups: This links to inclusive events and ensuring that Scotland’s events are culturally diverse and welcome minority ethnic communities. This includes by providing these communities with the opportunity to showcase and celebrate their cultures and traditions.

Article 31 – Leisure, play and culture: Events by their nature provide leisure opportunities and promote culture. Edinburgh International Children’s Festival is an excellent example of this in practice.^[46]