OPEN Mini Symposium in Partnership with the YACVic Youth Participation Practice Network (YPPN)

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. 

Who should attend
This symposium is for anyone interested in strengthening youth participation and evidence-informed practice, and exploring practical ways to embed participation, learning and continuous improvement into everyday work with young people.

Presentations

Wombat Housing Support Services | Embedding evaluation in everyday practice

Mark Rayner, General Manager with Wombat will share reflections from the organisation’s evolving evaluation journey. Drawing on practical experience, Mark will explore how evaluation capability can extend beyond a single project, support organisational learning and help services better understand the outcomes that matter to young people. He will also consider the realities of embedding evaluation through change, and the importance of approaches that are meaningful, useful and workable for staff.

Youth Support + Advocacy Service (YSAS) | Participation in Practice: The YSAS Journey

YSAS has a long and proud history of Youth Participation, but it has taken a lot of hard work to get there. Lucy and Robyn the Co-Managers of the Youth Participation team will discuss how they have gotten to where they are now, with a team of six at head office and many youth participation practices, including YSAS’ successful Ideas Day process, which supports youth voice directly into leadership and governance.

About YACVic

Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic) is the peak body and leading advocate for young people aged 12-25 and youth workers in Victoria. Our vision is that young people are active, visible and valued in their communities.