MasterCraft Series: A youth engagement toolkit for the Australian Public Service
This MasterCraft Series webinar* will cover the importance of engaging young people in policy and program design. In conversation with a range of stakeholders, Kate Chipperfield will explore how tools like the Youth Engagement Toolkit can be used to design and deliver effective, safe and fun youth engagement that supports teams’ aim while building trust, inclusivity and long-term relationships.
*Please note this event will be recorded. You can view this video and other MasterCraft Series events here.
Panellists
Isabella, Youth Steering Committee alum
Isabella is a young South Australian passionate about education and storytelling for climate justice. She is often found playing beach volleyball on the Australian circuit or heading off on her next solo travel adventure.
While completing a Bachelor of Environmental Policy and Management, Isabella became an inaugural member of the Youth Steering Committee, contributing to the development of Engage!, the Digital Youth Hub, and the Youth Engagement Toolkit. She also supported the Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change and COP28.
Now based in Naarm (Melbourne), Isabella volunteers with Climates, a nonprofit supporting community-led climate resilience across the Australia-Pacific.
Professor Philippa Collin
Philippa (Pip) Collin is Professorial Research Fellow in the Institute for Culture and Society at Western Sydney University (WSU) and Co-Director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre.
She has previously held research leadership positions in the Wellbeing Health and Youth (WH&Y) NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Adolescent Health (2019 – 2024), the Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre, and at Reachout.com.
Pip is an interdisciplinary social scientist with degrees and expertise in sociology, media and communications, cultural studies, economics and political science. She is an internationally recognised leader in youth engagement and intergenerational research for policy and service innovation
Reece Moir, Assistant Director, Office for Youth
Reece is an Assistant Director in the Government Priorities and Measurement team in the Office for Youth.
He worked on the development of the Youth Engagement Toolkit in collaboration with the Australian Government Youth Steering Committee and the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University. Reece’s work also includes leading the secretariat for Youth Advisory Council for a Safer Australia and the design and delivery of the National Youth Forum.
He joined the Department of Education in 2023 and prior to this worked at the national peak for young people, the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition, where he supported government and organisations to consider and include the views of young people in policy and program design.
Kate Chipperfield, Assistant Secretary, Office for Youth (Facilitator/Panellist)
Kate is the Assistant Secretary for the Office for Youth, leading youth engagement and policy across the Australian Government.
She has previously led major reforms in higher education, including developing the Action Plan to Address Gender-based Violence in Higher Education, establishing the National Student Ombudsman, improving access and participation pathways to university, and delivery of the Australian Universities Accord.
Kate joined the APS in 2010, working across the Education, Indigenous Affairs, Women’s Safety, PM&C and Finance portfolios. She also served as higher education adviser to the former Minister for Tertiary Education, Sen the Hon Chris Evans. Kate has a Bachelor of Social Science and Master of Public Policy.
Blake Horcicka, Director, Office for Youth (Facilitator/Panellist)
Blake is a proud Wiradjuri man and the Director of the Government Priorities and Measurement team in the Office for Youth, leading the implementation of the Government’s youth engagement strategy, supporting formal youth engagement mechanisms, and leading the monitoring and evaluation of the Office for Youth’s programs.
He joined the Department of Education in 2020 and worked on the development and implementation of policies to improve educational outcomes of First Nations students to drive progress toward Target 5 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap – Year 12 attainment.
Prior to this, Blake worked at the Commonwealth Ombudsman on improving access and engagement with First Nations people and influencing systemic improvement in public administration across Indigenous, disability and social services agencies.
Participant benefits
Understand the foundations of meaningful youth engagement, including principles that build trust, inclusivity, and long-term relationships.
Gain insight on the youth engagement process including understanding power dynamics, building trust, and knowing how to support young people’s contributions across the policy cycle.
Learn more about available evidence-based tools and templates that make engagement safe, effective, and responsive to the needs of young people.
Suitable for
All Staff
Category and User level
This learning experience aligns with the Engagement and Partnership Craft at the Foundation level.
Price
Free of charge.