The OPEN Symposium
Collaborative practice: Working in partnership with children and families.
Last updated: 09 Oct 2025
Cross-sector expertise
Victoria’s child and family sector continues to push boundaries and inspire, working tirelessly to support our most vulnerable community members.
Our annual OPEN Symposium brings together leading experts, practitioners, and innovators from across the sector.
Each year, the multi-day online event OPEN provides a platform for growth, collaboration, and inspiration. We invite you to enhance your knowledge, expand your network, and join us in setting the standard for innovation in the sector.
OPEN Symposium is back in 2025!
The Centre is excited to announce that tickets for the OPEN Symposium 2025 are now on sale!
This year’s event takes place online on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 October, and is built around the theme ‘Collaborative practice: Working in partnership with children and families’. It will celebrate the sector’s role as connector, coordinator, and catalyst for partnerships that put children and families first.
Across two days, the program will highlight real-world examples of collaboration and innovation from organisations across Victoria and beyond, creating opportunities to share learning and inspire change.
New speakers announced for 2025 OPEN Symposium
08 Oct 2025
- Events
Tickets for OPEN Symposium 2025 on sale now!
11 Sep 2025
- OPEN Symposium
OPEN Symposium 2025: Call for Expressions of Interest
13 Aug 2025
- OPEN Symposium
OPEN Symposium 2024
The OPEN Symposium 2024 featured a dynamic line-up of keynote speakers, interactive sessions, and panel discussions, reflecting our commitment to advancing best practices and sharing knowledge.
Last year’s theme was Transforming Futures: Improving the Lives of Children and Their Families.
The week kicked off with a thought-provoking seminar led by Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon, who highlighted essential research on family violence prevention. Day One featured a powerful keynote from Professor Ann Sanson, addressing the crucial impact of climate change on children’s wellbeing. Day Two brought more enlightening perspectives with Gulsum Adas discussing online safety for youth.
During Youth-Focused Day, we explored youth justice and participatory practices, starting with Daniel Donahoo from PROJECT ROCKIT!
OPEN
The Outcomes, Practice and Evidence Network (OPEN) is a partnership between Victoria’s child and family services sector, government and research, supporting and promoting the use, create, and sharing of evidence derived from research, practice, and client experiences to deliver better outcomes for children, young people, and families.
