WHY? Festival

This line-up of activities, talks and performances at the Southbank Centre will explore 'What's Happening for the Young?', inspired by the 1989 UN Convention on the rights of children. The festival is a three-partner featuring a weekend of workshops, performances and discussions for families; a forum for professionals in collaboration with Barnados; and two days dedicated to school visits. Through out the week there will be lectures, workshops, screenings, instillations, protests and performances. Keynote speakers Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Morpurgo, Cerrie Burnell and Lemn Sissay will each discuss what they think makes a good childhood. Workshops will deal with topics from online safety to supporting young people who don't fit in gender boxes. A peace mosaic created by young members of the public will unfold across the weekend as they add their handprints to a giant collaborate artwork.