Logan's Childhood Summit puts kids at heart of change

A powerful two-day event tying in with Children’s Week will be held at Slacks Creek, bringing together 44 child presenters, 8 adult speakers, and a community of changemakers to listen, learn, and lead, through the eyes of children. 

The Childhood Summit 2025 at Unity Hub will be hosted in partnership with the Australian Institute of Play, The Salvation Army Communities for Children Logan, and the Queensland Family and Child Commission. 

With themes ranging from mental health and bullying to digital safety and cultural identity, the summit is seen to be more like a movement than a conference, in giving children the microphone and the City of Logan a moment to pause and reflect. 

‘It is a dedicated stop and pause where we ask the question, “How are the children doing?”,’ says Hyahno Moser, Founder of the Childhood Summit and CEO of the Australian Institute of Play. 

‘And what better way to answer that question than by hearing directly from children. This summit is about taking off our fixing-hats and just really soaking in everything that children have to tell us.’ 

For Logan, a city known for its diversity and resilience, the summit is a celebration of its youngest citizens as active participants in shaping their communities. 

The opening session will be led by First Nations children speaking on culture and respect, while the closing reflections will be on play, planet and pets, showcasing the depth and wisdom of young voices. 

Jackson, one of the child MCs, will speak about his hopes for safer neighbourhoods and a desire to walk around, play and ride his bike. Gia, another presenter, will address the issue of isolation in communities.  

The summit will also tackle the digital world, with children leading discussions on screen time, online safety, and social media bans.  

Teanna, a young advocate for digital literacy, believes it should be taught in every Queensland school, just like maths and reading. While Isla will speak on pollution and sustainability, reminding guests that even the smallest acts can have the biggest results. 

ABOVE: Logan children are the focus of the Childhood Summit 2025.

Hyahno says Logan is the perfect place for transformative dialogue because it’s a city that understands the power of community. 

‘By listening to children, we’re not just investing in the future — we’re recognising them as citizens of today,’ he says. 

He says the summit’s structure of child-led sessions supported by keynote speakers and adult rapporteurs, would ensure children’s voices aren’t just heard, but amplified.  

Logan Mayor Jon Raven and Logan Councillor Mindy Russell will join keynote speaker and former boxer turned anti-bully advocate Jeff Horn at the event on October 24-25, where topics such as mental health, bullying, and cultural identity will also be explored. 

As Logan continues to grow and evolve, events like the Childhood Summit serve as a reminder that children are not passive recipients of policy, they are active contributors to the social fabric. 

‘The summit is not just about talking,’ says Hyahno, ‘It’s about listening deeply, responding meaningfully, and creating spaces where children feel seen, valued, and empowered.’ 

This week is Children’s Week in Australia, October 18-26, and this year’s theme ‘Everyone should know about children’s rights’ is based on Article 42 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Child. 

Tickets are available at 2025 Childhood Summit – Through Their Eyes 

PHOTO AT TOP: A local student speaking from the heart at a previous Childhood Summit in Logan.