Exploring self-determined youth engagement in government decision-making through a systems lens

Monday, July 20, 2026, 11:00 AM

Session: SOC Poster Session (Overflow) (In-person)

Mental wellbeing has been identified as a global health issue. Research findings suggest that young people are experience lower levels of mental wellbeing for longer periods of time. Concurrently, governments across Australia have begun recognising a need to include young people in decision-making that impacts them. However, research investigating youth wellbeing in these settings currently lacks consideration of youth wellbeing needs and motivations and is weakened by limited youth involvement. This study will apply a participatory system dynamics approach with young people (aged 16-30), state and local government officials and youth advocates across Victoria to create a causal loop diagram of youth engagement in government decision-making. Group model building workshops will follow a scoping review and interviews with government officials to map the system of youth engagement with government and identify opportunities to prioritise youth wellbeing and agency in approaches. This study is being conducted in partnership with the Victorian Department of Health (project sponsors). Since the partnership was established in July 2025, a collaborative approach has been undertaken to develop a study design, consideration of potential recruitment methods and opportunities, and drafting of the group model building data collection tools. This project is being designed to centre the voices of youth and foster meaningful collaboration between key stakeholders currently shaping approaches and opportunities for youth engagement with government. This study will be the first to use system dynamics methods to bring together government officials, youth advocates and young people to interrogate the system of youth engagement with government across Victoria and how it could better meet the needs of youth.