Beyond Engagement: From new research and advocacy to professional recognition and navigating polarisation, explore the latest practitioner insights.
Meaningful engagement has never been more important—or more challenging. As practitioners navigate growing complexity, shifting community expectations and increasingly polarised conversations, the need for trusted, evidence-based practice continues to grow. This edition of Beyond Engagement brings together practical insights, emerging research and advocacy to help strengthen engagement practice and professional recognition.
ADVOCACY UPDATE
WITH MARION SHORT
From planning reform to professional recognition, Engagement Institute continues to advocate for stronger engagement across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Hear CEO Marion Short's latest update on the work shaping policy, strengthening practice and advancing the profession.
WHY CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT STILL MATTERS
New research from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre found that 97% of public administrations would undertake citizen engagement again. Discover why meaningful engagement strengthens policy, relationships and trust—and why quality matters just as much as participation.
WHY RECOGNITION MATTERS
Recognition doesn't happen overnight. It is built on evidence that helps governments, employers and educators understand the size, capability and contribution of a profession. Better workforce data helps build stronger advocacy, greater professional recognition and a more visible profession. That recognition helps ensure community and stakeholder engagement is better understood, better supported and better represented into the future.
IAP2 SPECTRUM EVOLUTION: PHASE 2 REPORT RELEASED
IAP2 International has released its Spectrum Evolution 2026 - Phase 2: What We Learned report. Engagement Institute is reviewing the findings carefully, with a focus on what they mean for members and engagement practice across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
NAVIGATING POLARISATION: BUILDING BETTER CONVERSATIONS IN DIVIDED TIMES
How do you engage communities when views are deeply divided? MosaicLab explores practical approaches for navigating polarisation, fostering respectful dialogue and designing engagement processes that help build trust—even when consensus isn't possible.
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