HEAL ACT Community of Practice annual in person meeting 2026

Healthy Futures: Leadership, Innovation and Resilience in a Changing World

As part of the 6th International HEAL 2026 Conference, the HEAL ACT Community of Practice will hold its annual in-person meeting.

Monday 2 November
9.30am-2pm (ADST)
Ainslie Arts Centre, Braddon

The meeting will focus on consolidating HEALs​ achievements and learnings from the last 5 years and identifying priorities for the future, as well as exploring opportunities to progress health outcomes under the ACT Climate Change Strategy 2026–2036 and its first Action Plan.

The meeting will bring together around 50 stakeholders from the ACT, including researchers, ACT Government representatives, health and emergency services, community organisations, Indigenous leaders, young people and representatives from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Discussions will explore leadership, innovation and resilience, including the role of research, policy, community knowledge and collaboration in building healthy and sustainable futures for Canberra.

The annual regional meetings provide an opportunity for HEAL Community of Practice members, researchers, policymakers, practitioners and community representatives to connect, exchange ideas and share diverse perspectives. By strengthening relationships across research, policy and community, these meetings help build a foundation for collaborative, community-informed research and action that supports healthier, more sustainable futures.

Agenda

Chair: Assoc Prof Ro McFarlane,  Co-Lead: HEAL ACT Hub, University of Canberra  

9.00am : Arrival and registration

9.30am : Opening session

• Acknowledgement of Country - Stephen Mudford

• Opening address - Andrew Braddock MLA - Deputy Leader ACT Greens

• Directors address - Prof Sotiris Vardoulakis, Director of the NHMRC HEAL National Research Network, Director Health Research Institute, University of Canberra

10.10am : morning tea and networking

10.30am : Listen - Diverse Perspectives on Healthy Futures

• Chris Finnigan – A/g Director, Adaptation and Resilience Policy Climate Change and Energy Policy Branch, ACT Government

• Megan Taylor – Project Coordinator Disaster Recovery Mental Health and Wellbeing, Resilience Preparedness, Canberra Health Services

• Ravi Krishnamurty – President, Australian Multicultural Action Network (AMAN) | Deputy Chair, Canberra Multicultural Community Forum (CMCF)

• Mijica Lus - 2024 ACT Young Woman of the Year, President of the United Nations Young Professionals Network ACT

11.30am : Learn - Leadership, Innovation and Resilience: what have we learned and what (or who) is missing?

Panel discussion with:

• Stephen Mudford - Indigenous Perspective

• Mijica Lus - Youth Perspective

• Ravi Krishnamurty - CALD/Community Perspective

• Megan Taylor - Emergency Service Perspective

• Chris Finnigan - ACT Government climate change policy perspective

12.15pm : Act - From learning to action: priorities for a healthy and climate resilient ACT

Round table discussion with all attendees

• Learning from experience

• Gaps and innovations 

• Leadership and resilience

12.50pm : Closing remarks

1.00pm : Lunch provided

2.00pm : Meeting end

Field trip: Friday 6 November 11.00am-2.00pm

Please join us at Jerrabomberra Wetlands