You’re invited to attend a special seminar celebrating International Youth Day 2025, co-hosted by the Burnet Institute and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI). This seminar will present key findings and recommendations from the second Lancet Commission on adolescent health and wellbeing, and showcase some examples of research that respond to the Commission’s recommendations.

The second Lancet Commission on adolescent health and wellbeing
With a global population of 1.96 billion adolescents (24% of the world’s population), ensuring their health is crucial for our future. This new Commission provides an evidence-based guide to act now and in the post SDG era and emphasises that investing in adolescent health yields a “triple dividend” – benefits for young people today, the adults they will become, and the next generation.

However, current funding is insufficient, with adolescent health initiatives receiving only 2.4% of total development assistance for health in 2016–21. With a rising burden of non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders among adolescents, we must advocate for meaningful investments and collaboration across sectors to address the unique challenges facing today’s youth.

Youth Localising the SDGs
As we celebrate International Youth Day 2025, we recognise the pivotal role of young people in localising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year’s theme, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” underscores the unique ability of youth to transform global ambitions into community-driven realities, and aligns with the Commissions call for urgent action.

With over 65% of SDG targets linked to local governance, youth engagement is not just beneficial, it’s essential! Young people bring creativity, insight, and deep community connections that bridge the gap between policy and practice.

As we approach the 2030 deadline, it’s crucial to invest and integrate youth priorities into inclusive policies and programs that empower local and regional youth actions. By fostering partnerships between youth organisations and local governments, we can create spaces for innovation, mentorship, and civic engagement. This approach not only accelerates SDG implementation but also nurtures future community leaders and changemakers, ensuring a sustainable and equitable future for all.

International Youth Day special seminar

2:30 pm to 3:30 pm

• Welcome – Elissa Kennedy (Burnet)
• The Second Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing – Elissa and Molly O’Sullivan (MCRI)
• Showcasing some examples of research that respond to the Commission’s recommendations (5 min each):
  • Enabling environments to transform adolescent health and wellbeing:
    • Youth leadership – Seth Westhead and Jaameeta Kurji (Kids Research Institute)
    • Obesity and data – Karly Cini (MCRI)
  • Strengthening actions within existing sectors:
    • Defining global standards of quality adolescent health care – Alice Morgan (MCRI)
    • Adolescent-responsive health services in PNG – Rose Suruka (CCHS PNG)
  • Innovative approaches to address emerging threats:
    • Climate and adolescent health – Marie Habito (Burnet/MCRI)
    • Social media – Megan Lim (Burnet)
• Close – Pete Azzopardi (MCRI)