Youth Speak Out 2026 – Truth. Reckoning. Change.

Youth Speak Out is Reconciliation Tasmania’s annual statewide education initiative, giving students in Grades 5–12 the opportunity to explore reconciliation through creativity, critical thinking and respectful dialogue.

Now in its ninth year, Youth Speak Out aims to inspire meaningful classroom conversations and empower young people to share their perspectives on reconciliation, truth-telling and the future of Lutruwita/Tasmania.

Students are invited to respond creatively to the 2026 theme:

Truth. Reckoning. Change.

Entries can take almost any form, including art, writing, photography, film, dance, textiles, woodwork, mixed media, collaborative projects and more. Individual, small-group and whole-class entries are welcome.

Selected finalists will be invited to Parliament House, Hobart, on 27 October 2026, where they will have the rare opportunity to present their work directly to Members of Parliament, Tasmanian Aboriginal community leaders and other key decision-makers.

Youth Speak Out is about giving young people a genuine opportunity to speak truth to power. Through the program, students can build confidence, engage with Tasmanian Aboriginal people and culture, deepen their understanding of reconciliation and truth-telling, and learn more about Tasmania’s civil and democratic systems.

2026 Theme: Truth. Reckoning. Change.

This year’s theme reflects the important conversations taking place across Lutruwita/Tasmania and acknowledges that there are diverse perspectives about what reconciliation means today and how it should be understood in the Tasmanian context.

Students may consider questions such as:

Reconciliation

What does reconciliation mean to you?
Is reconciliation still relevant in Lutruwita/Tasmania today?
What role do young people play in reconciliation?

Truth

Why is truth-telling important?
Can reconciliation happen without truth?
Why is it important to understand our shared history?

Change

What needs to change in Lutruwita/Tasmania?
What would a reconciled future look like?
How can young people make a difference?

Who can participate?

Youth Speak Out is open to all Tasmanian students in Grades 5–12, including students attending government, Catholic and independent schools.

Key dates

Entries open: 17 August 2026
Entries close: 18 September 2026
Finalists notified: 25 September 2026
Youth Speak Out Showcase at Parliament House: 27 October 2026

We look forward to hearing the ideas, perspectives and creative voices of young Tasmanians as they explore Truth. Reckoning. Change.

RSVP REQUIRED

Contact the host of Youth Speak Out - Truth. Reckoning. Change.