Open Mini Symposium 2026: Learning together for better outcomes

What happens when youth participation and evidence-informed practice come together?

Join the Centre’s Outcomes, Practice and Evidence Network (OPEN) and YACVic’s Youth Participation Practice Network (YPPN) for a collaborative mini symposium exploring how organisations can meaningfully engage young people while strengthening outcomes, learning and service improvement.

This interactive online event brings together practitioners, researchers, evaluators, participation professionals, service leaders and young people to share practical examples of participation in action.

Through a series of case studies, facilitated discussions and breakout conversations, participants will explore:

• How youth participation can strengthen programs, services and decision-making

• The role of evidence, evaluation and feedback in improving outcomes

• Practical approaches to embedding participation in everyday practice

• Lessons learned from organisations navigating challenges, change and continuous improvement

• Opportunities to connect with peers across sectors and disciplines

Rather than focusing only on large-scale or highly resourced initiatives, this symposium will highlight relatable examples of practice that demonstrate achievable, incremental change and the lessons that can be applied across different settings.

By bringing together two complementary networks, this event offers a unique opportunity to learn from different perspectives and strengthen the connections between participation, evidence and practice.

Register here