Children need to play, and play is disappearing from their lives. We can help.
– Heather Bernt-Santy

“Protecting Play Around the World,” a conversation in the World Forum Foundation’s WoFo Global Café, is an opportunity to explore and take action on children’s right to play. Years of extensive research affirm that providing time, space, and appropriate adult support for children’s play leads to optimal learning and development. Yet, over the past decades, children’s play has been under threat as the focus on adult-directed activities has increased, time in nature has decreased, and educators of young children feel increasing pressure to meet rigidly imposed learning standards.

The WoFo Café on January 21 at 11 AM New York EDT will provide an enlightening and empowering conversation on Children’s Right to Play. Moderated by Heather Bernt-Santy, it will bring together presenters from the “Engaging Exchange Online Protecting Play Conference” that was held on December 5, 2025, Mike Browne and Stephanie Goloway, with members of the World Forum World Play Working Group, Jodie Riek and Priyanka Handa Ram.

Presenters will discuss, among many topics, how the efforts of the World Play Working Group can offer strategies for advocating for play worldwide, and what can be done to combat threats to children’s right to play that are occurring globally. Come lend your voice to this important effort. There will be time for questions and comments from you as a participant. Space is limited so register soon.