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https://napcan-org-au.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_14gCPEs-T0CZ8P99M2u5Ew

Monday 23 October 2023

• 2pm AESD
• 1pm AEST
• 12.30pm NT 

Play, participation & poverty:

•  How our policies can create fairer, healthier futures for children & young people

With Anti-Poverty Week and Children’s Week both falling in October, NAPCAN is taking a look at the important overlap between the themes of the two weeks: child poverty and play. 

This fresh conversation will build on what we already know…  that: 

• activities like outdoor play, organised sport, dance and drama outside of school are good for the future health of all children 
• the benefits are greatest for young people who commonly have the least access to these activities (ie from lower-income families)
• our policies have the power to remove many of the barriers that lock people out of opportunities to play and participate
• fantastic local examples are providing insight into simple smart investments that are creating fairer, more protective communities for children. 

We’ll hear from passionate researchers and advocates on the topic: 

• Dr Alex O’Donnell from the University of Tasmania will share his research about how extracurricular activities benefit children and young people, including new research about impacts on mental health
• Sally Weir from the Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities, Northern Territory Government and Rachel Fosdick, the Board Secretary and Founder of Palmerston and Regional Basketball Association, will talk about the Palmerston Youth Activities Programs and the benefits that are being seen when young people are connected to activities in fair and equal ways.
• Hyahno Moser founder of the Australian Institute of Play, will share his decades of experience promoting access to outdoor neighbourhood play including in organisations such as Nature Play and Logan Together, Qld. 

This will be an engaging conversation for anyone who works with children or youth, or who is interested in creating smart evidence-based policies (including at federal, state, local levels) to give every child in every community a fair go. 

Register now