On Friday, August 30th, the Graeme Dingle Foundation hosted its highly anticipated Research Symposium, where leading voices in youth development came together to share their insights on the complex identities of young people. The event delved into different aspects related to a young person’s identity such as their mental health, cultural identity and whānau and community connections. The event also touched on creating inclusive responses in sectors that interact with young people, such as the education, social, and justice sectors.
This event highlighted how youth sectors can work together to ensure that every young person feels seen, valued, and supported.
Graeme Dingle Foundation’s Julie Moore, Research and Evaluation Manager, and Adi Cummings, Programme Trainer & Developer, captivated attendees with an exploration of the Foundation’s ongoing work in making its programmes neuro-inclusive. They also introduced an exciting, upcoming research project aimed at deepening our understanding of how best to support neuro-diverse young people across Aotearoa.
“Our mahi is about more than just delivering programmes. It’s about building a future where every young person, regardless of their background or experiences, feels empowered to succeed. Sharing this work at our research symposium was an incredible opportunity to connect and collaborate with others who share this vision,” says Julie Moore.
Throughout the day, attendees were inspired by a range of presentations including:
- Dr. Tania Cliffe-Tautari shed light on the intricacies of Māori identity and emphasised the power of storytelling and whānau support in strengthening young people’s connections to their culture.
- Kahu Hepburn deepened our understanding of rangatahi Māori experiencing early-stage psychosis, emphasising the vital role of whānau and community empowerment as key support strategies.
- Lloyd Martin, sponsored by the Kings Trust, discussed how adversity impacts young people and highlighted the need for nurturing, safe, whānau-like environments to support their growth.
- Fay Amaral examined the challenges young people face during school transitions, underlining the importance of tailored support to help them thrive beyond the school environment.
- Dr. Jazz Robson and Alayne McKee delivered a thought-provoking session on the complex communication needs of young people in youth justice settings, challenging the audience to understand the use of silence as a form of communication and when they are being silenced.
These presentations offered attendees to put on an intersectional lens to understand the various aspects of a young person’s identity. Armed with new knowledge and insights, attendees take with them key learnings and ensure their mahi with young people are inclusive and responsive to their unique needs.
By promoting inclusivity and understanding, we can collectively create environments where every young person feels empowered to contribute positively to society.
The event was made possible thanks to our partners, Ara Taiohi and the University of Auckland’s Centre for Community Research and Evaluation, and was proudly sponsored by Lion.