2026 Youth Summit
Our third annual Youth Summit will take place on Friday 10 April 2026!
The Youth Summit amplifies the lived experiences of young Queenslanders. It’s an opportunity for young people aged 25 years and under to speak directly to government and community decision-makers and leaders about issues that are important to them and the young people around them.
Our first two Youth Summits each attracted over 300 audience members and this year is expected to be just as big.
Event Details
Date: Friday 10 April, 9.00am-3.30pm
Location: Emporium Hotel, South Brisbane
Session 1: Valued, loved and safe
17, Gladstone
Ahmarni
Involving survivors of domestic violence in rebuilding the system
20, Hervey Bay
Korrinne
A system that listens, acts, and empowers
21, Gold Coast
Lilly
Best interests on paper, not in practice
17, Kingaroy
Angus
The ups and downs of living in care
Session 2: Identity and culture
19, Thursday Island
Charli
Strengthening identity through education
16, Ipswich
Kane
The disconnection of Indigenous Youth and their Cultural Identity
23, Brisbane
Takeisha
To speak in many tongues
16, Brisbane
Maria
Lifting the mask
Session 3: Material basics
16, Emerald
Izabella
Healthcare shouldn’t depend on your postcode
19, Logan
Elise
Navigating final exams without material basics
21, Ayr
Gracie
Regional families, invisible costs
22, Brisbane
Madison
Medical poverty
Session 4: Participating
13, Logan
Diba
The social media ban hasn’t changed much for young people
11, Logan
Harmony
Greater support, access and cost relief in shaping sporting dreams
16, Scenic Rim
Lily
Life on Mars
16, Cairns
Jessica
Youth as partners in decision making
Session 5: Healthy
21, Brisbane
Poppy
Improving the Child Safe Organisations Act for young people with a disability
21, Brisbane
Ryan
Adolescent and young adult cancer
16, Toowoomba
Clovelly
When you “don’t look sick”: Living with invisible illness
11, Logan
Caleb
Mental health matters
Session 6: Learning
15, Umagico
Esther
Restricted futures: Inequity in education
16, Townsville
Makere
Educating the younger generation
18, Logan
Nagina
A migrant youth perspective on belonging
21, Brisbane
Sheyteika
Trauma-informed education
Session 7: Valued, loved and safe
17, Brisbane
Lily
Strong systems, positive outcomes
17, Brisbane
Alex
Feeling like a number
15, Ipswich
Caleb
Proactive systems for young people in out-of-home care
24
Tee
Improving outcomes through safe and healthy relationships
Keynote speakers
Emcee
Jahin
CEO of Australian School of Entrepreneurship
Emcee and keynote speaker
Ruby
2024 and 2025 Youth Summit speaker and founder of Kids of Purple
Keynote speaker
Amelia
2025 Youth Summit speaker and child safety advocate
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