Forty-four children, on stage, speaking to grown ups about what matters most to them.
It’s a scene that has played out in Logan since 2021, and will again next month at Unity Hub in Slacks Creek.
Called the Childhood Summit, the bi-annual event is run by the Australian Institute of Play, and involves children standing up on stage over two days to chat about complex and often sensitive topics spanning family, community, social media, mental health and more.
This year, the theme is ‘Through Their Eyes’, which organisers say is intended to highlight that children aren’t just the future, but “citizens of today”.
“The Summit is about taking a dedicated pause to listen, take off our fixing-hats and just really soak in everything that children have to tell us that’s important to them,” summit founder Hyahno Moser said.
“It is a dedicated stop and pause where we ask the question: how are the children doing?
“And what better way to answer that question than by hearing directly from children.”
Each session will be led by children sharing their lived experiences, ideas, and solutions.
Alongside them will be two adult rapporteurs providing feedback, as well as an adult keynote speaker adding “perspective and support” to amplify the voices of children, ” rather than speaking over them”.
The topics and children involved this year will include:
- ‘First Nations First’, with child keynote presenters Iepena, Faith, Kirra and Zavana who will speak on culture, racism, addiction, listening to Elders and respect.
- ‘Mental Health in Childhood’, covered by presenters Chelsea, Nathaniel, T’Karma, Jazzleen, Aristotle and Caleb, speaking about suicide, child abuse, and understanding how children live with mental health.
- ‘Screens and Social Media’, presented by Teanna, Tahlia, Mayonne and Diba who will address online safety, balancing screen time, digital literacy, and social media bans.
- ‘Community and Connection’, presented by Gia, Jasmina, Adrian, Marcus, Raiden and Jaxson who wlll raise issues such as social isolation, safe neighbourhoods for connection, and how we treat each other.
- ‘Bullying and Conflict’, featuring presenters Amani, Nathaniel, Kerri, Mathew and Cassandral.
- ‘Family Life’, with speakers Jeffrazzi, Kiama, Lily-Paige, Talia and Jazlyn chatting about all things parenting, boundaries, consequences, love, security, and daily routines.
- ‘Play, Planet, People and Pets’, presented by Eve, Tia, Addy, Conor, Isla and Allana.
The summit is on 24 and 25 October. Tickets can be bought here: events.humanitix.com/2025-childhood-summit
