Programme | Australian Universal Wellbeing Symposium 2026 Brisbane

Draft Programme

The draft programme for the Australian Universal Wellbeing Symposium is now available.

The symposium will take place in Brisbane, Australia, and will bring together researchers, practitioners, educators, policy leaders, and community organisations interested in advancing prevention-first Universal Wellbeing strategies.

The programme includes keynote presentations, research presentations, and cross-sector discussions exploring prevention approaches to improving national wellbeing outcomes.

Draft Programme Download

The current draft programme can be downloaded below.

Download Draft Programme

Draft Conference Programme Thursday 27th August 2026

  
No
Time
Workshop Session
Presenter
Presentation Descriptors

1
9:30am
Opening – Keynote 1 Address

2
10:15am
Morning Tea

3a
10:30am
Seminar

Susan Stevenson

Director,

FWI + NZCDI

Universal Wellbeing Model (UWM)

This session is presented by the leader of the 16 year wellbeing research programme that underpins the development of the new evidence based Universal Wellbeing Model. The ongoing research programme explores what wellbeing is, how it is influenced, how it can be measured, and how it can be improved and sustained over time. All elements contributing to the model are examined, along with its proposed new paradigm.

4
12:15pm
Lunch

5
1:00pm
Workshop

Practicing and Living the Theory

This session provides an initial guided opportunity to explore how the model can be practiced, how it can advance practice, and how it can be lived by individuals, families, schools, organisations, and communities to improve wellbeing and equity outcomes. A Socratic and facilitated process will support attendees to identify and explore areas of focus and potential applications that are of interest to them.

7
2:00pm
Seminar

Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Tool (UWET)

Details about the AI assisted Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Tool, developed to measure Universal Wellbeing, will be shared along with examples of the data it can generate. Experiences with the tool and outcomes to date will also be presented, followed by a Q&A session.

8
3:00pm
Afternoon Tea

9
3:15pm
Workshop

Experiencing the Universal Wellbeing Evaluation

Attendees will be provided with introductory information and access to the Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Tool then supported to complete it during this session. The tool’s output will help build an understanding of each person’s unique Universal Wellbeing profile and enrich understandings of the Universal Wellbeing Model in praxis.

10
3:45pm
Debrief

An opportunity to unpack the sessions and activities provided.

11
4:00pm
Day Ends

Drinks and Dinner

No	Time	Workshop Session	Presenter	Presentation Descriptors
1	9:30am	Opening – Keynote 1 Address
2	10:15am	Morning Tea
3a	10:30am	Seminar	Susan Stevenson Director, FWI + NZCDI	Universal Wellbeing Model (UWM) This session is presented by the leader of the 16 year wellbeing research programme that underpins the development of the new evidence based Universal Wellbeing Model. The ongoing research programme explores what wellbeing is, how it is influenced, how it can be measured, and how it can be improved and sustained over time. All elements contributing to the model are examined, along with its proposed new paradigm.
4	12:15pm	Lunch
5	1:00pm	Workshop		Practicing and Living the Theory This session provides an initial guided opportunity to explore how the model can be practiced, how it can advance practice, and how it can be lived by individuals, families, schools, organisations, and communities to improve wellbeing and equity outcomes. A Socratic and facilitated process will support attendees to identify and explore areas of focus and potential applications that are of interest to them.
7	2:00pm	Seminar		Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Tool (UWET) Details about the AI assisted Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Tool, developed to measure Universal Wellbeing, will be shared along with examples of the data it can generate. Experiences with the tool and outcomes to date will also be presented, followed by a Q&A session.
8	3:00pm	Afternoon Tea
9	3:15pm	Workshop		Experiencing the Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Attendees will be provided with introductory information and access to the Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Tool then supported to complete it during this session. The tool’s output will help build an understanding of each person’s unique Universal Wellbeing profile and enrich understandings of the Universal Wellbeing Model in praxis.
10	3:45pm	Debrief		An opportunity to unpack the sessions and activities provided.
11	4:00pm	Day Ends		Drinks and Dinner

Draft Conference Programme Friday 28th August 2026

  
      No Time Session Presenter Description 
  1 9.30am Seminar   The Universal Wellbeing Theory of Change and Intervention Programmes
 This session examines the progressive, step by step Theory of Change journey that the Model and its Interventions support for those engaging with the Model, the Tool, and the Interventions. The pathway taken fosters the development of positive and caring communities, leading toward a destination that includes fulfilling one’s potential, thriving, and gaining a sense of freedom.  
 2 10.30am Morning Tea   
 3 10.45am Workshop   What does my Universal Wellbeing Evaluation say?
 This session will examine and begin to unpack your personal Universal Wellbeing Evaluation, identifying the key components and insights the Tool can provide for the individual who completed it and for those analysing Universal Wellbeing Data Summaries across diverse populations.  
 6 12.00pm Lunch   
 7 1.00pm Seminar & Workshop   Universal Wellbeing Charter Economics
 This session explores the actual and potential economic benefits of improved Universal Wellbeing at the individual, family, organisational, community, and national levels. Case study scenarios will be presented, and additional scenarios may be proposed.  
 8 2.30pm Afternoon Tea   
 9 3.00pm Seminar & Consultation   Universal Wellbeing Charter Implementation Science Informed Action
 This session explores the challenge of implementing the Universal Wellbeing Charter at the individual, family, organisational, community, and national levels, as well as the complexity and unified impact of taking an evidence based and authentically holistic approach.  
 10 4.00pm Debrief   Massage and Restorative Yoga Journey
 A gentle opportunity to allow the symposia content to land and be integrated.  
  4.30pm Day Ends   
 
  

No	Time	Session	Description
1	9.30am	Seminar	The Universal Wellbeing Theory of Change and Intervention Programmes This session examines the progressive, step by step Theory of Change journey that the Model and its Interventions support for those engaging with the Model, the Tool, and the Interventions. The pathway taken fosters the development of positive and caring communities, leading toward a destination that includes fulfilling one’s potential, thriving, and gaining a sense of freedom.
2	10.30am	Morning Tea
3	10.45am	Workshop	What does my Universal Wellbeing Evaluation say? This session will examine and begin to unpack your personal Universal Wellbeing Evaluation, identifying the key components and insights the Tool can provide for the individual who completed it and for those analysing Universal Wellbeing Data Summaries across diverse populations.
6	12.00pm	Lunch
7	1.00pm	Seminar & Workshop	Universal Wellbeing Charter Economics This session explores the actual and potential economic benefits of improved Universal Wellbeing at the individual, family, organisational, community, and national levels. Case study scenarios will be presented, and additional scenarios may be proposed.
8	2.30pm	Afternoon Tea
9	3.00pm	Seminar & Consultation	Universal Wellbeing Charter Implementation Science Informed Action This session explores the challenge of implementing the Universal Wellbeing Charter at the individual, family, organisational, community, and national levels, as well as the complexity and unified impact of taking an evidence based and authentically holistic approach.
10	4.00pm	Debrief	Massage and Restorative Yoga Journey A gentle opportunity to allow the symposia content to land and be integrated.
	4.30pm	Day Ends

Further updates to the programme, including session details and speakers, will be published as they are confirmed.