Keynote Talk | Childism, Children's Rights and the Challenge of Children's Empowerment

This talk introduces the concept of childism. Childism has emerged in academic and social movements in the past decade as a critical theory akin to feminism, anti-racism, and decolonialism. What is distinct about childism is that it focuses on the specific empowerment of children as children. Children are a third of the world’s population, yet they find themselves marginalised in many domains of politics, economics, climate policy, and cultural expression. All too often their human rights are not recognised nor realised. What kinds of adultism or patriarchy do children face? How are children and their allies fighting and organising against it? And how would greater responsiveness to children transform deeply-rooted beliefs and power structures?

John Wall is a Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Religion, and Childhood Studies, and Director of the Childism Institute, at Rutgers University, United States. His nine books, journal articles and public media explore the intersection of political philosophy and children’s rights. He is best known for developing the critical theory of childism, or children’s social empowerment, as well as for research and advocacy around children’s rights to vote.

For any enquiries, please contact us at MHSES-REI-Events@ed.ac.uk.

We would like to acknowledge the support and collaborations for this lecture and the linked Talbot Rice Gallery Exhibition (‘The Children are Now’ Oct 2025-Feb 2026):

• The Binks Hub
• CAHSS Challenge Investment Fund, University of Edinburgh
• Centre for Research on Families and Relationships
• Children’s Parliament
• Children and Young People Thematic Hub, MHSES University of Edinburgh
• Childhood and Youth Theme, CAHSS University of Edinburgh
• Talbot Rice Gallery