WISH YOU WERE HERE: DAY #1 at IPA 2011 WORLD CONFERENCE in WALES

[Cynthia Gentry]

While friends at home are delighting in fireworks celebrating Independence Day, over 400 delegates from 50+ countries sparkled with a different kind of light in beautiful downtown Cardiff, Wales. The IPA 2011 World Conference is off to an amazing start. This is my view walking to City Hall this morning. The air was crisp, the skies clear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Left: City Hall, site of the conference; Right, entrance to City Hall and the land of play)

IPA President Theresa Casey celebrates the 50th anniversary of the founding of IPA this morning by introducing the First Minister of Wales, Rt Hon. Carwyn Jones. Jones spoke of the importance of the child's right to play and the many programs promoting play in Wales. He was then presented with the Right to Play Award. It is the first time the award has been presented to a country.

Theresa Casey, President of IPA, presents Right to Play Award to Rt Hon. Carwyn Jones, First Minister of Wales.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcoming Welsh kids hand out water; keynote speaker Marc Bekoff, Bob Jarrett, and Olga Jarrett, former President of IPA USA.