Kaupapa

INVOLVE is a multi-day conference that runs every two years, moving location around the country.

We aim to gather as many people together to ensure that the sector works cooperatively and cohesively. It is our vision that INVOLVE acts as a meeting place for the entire sector - anyone who works with or for young people - to gather, share and learn.

We wish to see the taiohi of Aotearoa thrive, and to make this happen we all need to be on the same waka, paddling in the same direction .

History

The first INVOLVE conference was held in 2002 and organised by NZAAHD - New Zealand Aotearoa Adolescent Health and Development. From 2002 to 2010, the conference ran every two years, gathering professionals from across the youth health and development sector.

After an eight-year hiatus, INVOLVE made its return in 2018. The conference is now the joint responsibility of four organisations who are committed to the kaupapa and seek to model true partnership to the youth sector.

Aims

The conference has four key aims:

  1. Professional Development
    INVOLVE is structured to offer a high quality range of research, best practice, training and approaches to working with young people.

  2. Networking
    INVOLVE provides a space to know and be known - to tell others about who you are, where you are from, and what you do - and to meet others who can tautoko your work.

  3. Building connections
    Working in silos is not effective.
    By offering training on all areas of youth-centred practice at one conference, INVOLVE supports holistic collaboration and connection-making that goes beyond roles and partitions.

  4. Celebrating the sector
    You do amazing things for young people in Aotearoa! It is important that we recognise, honour and celebrate one another for who we are and the mahi we accomplish.