Explore Board opportunities, AI governance, social licence insights and the latest news from across the profession.

Welcome to this edition of Beyond Engagement, bringing you the latest news, insights and opportunities shaping community and stakeholder engagement. This fortnight, explore Board Director nominations, emerging developments in AI governance and planning reform, practical lessons on social licence, and resources to support your professional practice and career.

DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS
NOW OPEN

Nominations are now open for the Engagement Institute Board of Directors. If you're passionate about advancing community and stakeholder engagement and want to help shape the future of the profession, this is your opportunity to contribute at a governance level.

THE COSTLY SOCIAL LICENCE LESSON

A recent article explores why organisations continue to lose social licence despite increasing investment in engagement. Drawing on current examples and practical lessons, it highlights why meaningful community engagement must be embedded early in decision-making to build trust, reduce risk and deliver better outcomes for major projects.

NEW UK TOOLKIT SUPPORTS MORE INCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH OLDER COMMUNITIES

A new Age-friendly Engagement Toolkit, developed by the Centre for Ageing Better and Involve in the United Kingdom, provides practical guidance for involving older people in decisions that affect their lives.

NSW PROPOSES A STATEWIDE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PLAN

The NSW Government has proposed a single Statewide Community Participation Plan to replace more than 100 council plans. The reforms aim to create a more consistent approach to planning consultation while reinforcing the importance of meaningful community engagement in decision-making.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA'S AI ROYAL COMMISSION

South Australia has launched Australia's first Royal Commission into Artificial Intelligence, examining how AI can be governed and adopted responsibly. For engagement professionals, the inquiry highlights the growing importance of transparency, public trust and meaningful community engagement as AI becomes increasingly embedded in decision-making.

COORDINATOR ENGAGEMENT

Moonee Valley City Council is seeking an experienced and collaborative Coordinator Engagement to lead the organisation's community and stakeholder engagement function.

Applications close: 26th August, 2026 11:00 pm AEST.

WEBINARS

TRAINING

EVENTS

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DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN