Two people talking to each others

Who gets to shape decisions in your community, and who gets left out?

In two connected Youth Connect Live sessions, we explored how community research could be a powerful tool for shifting power, amplifying underrepresented voices, and driving meaningful change. You’ll learn how to turn lived experience into evidence, ask better questions, and use research to influence the issues that matter most to you. Our speakers will share practical insights, real-world examples and tips to help young people lead change across the two sessions.

Before seeing the recordings, here are some reflection prompts you may want to think about before joining. We would also love to hear your thoughts and questions – share them with us here. 

  • Think about your community (this could be your neighbourhood, university or an online space). What is one issue or challenge that you think isn’t being properly understood?
  • Whose voices are missing from conversations about this issue? And what difference do you think that makes?
  • Based on your own experience, what do you know or notice about this issue that others might not?
  • If you could ask people in your community 3 questions to better understand this issue, what would you ask?

Miriam King is Co-Founder and Director of LIVING PROOF, a creative engagement studio that works with organisations to centre the voices of young people in decision-making. She is a researcher, facilitator and qualified youth worker with vast experience designing and delivering projects across the cultural, public and third sectors.

Miriam’s work focuses on using community research and creative methods to shift power, ensuring that young people are not just consulted, but actively shaping the systems and services that affect their lives. Through LIVING PROOF, she has worked with organisations including the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit, British Council, National Trust, Youth Endowment Fund and Creative Ireland.

Alongside her practice, Miriam is passionate about creating pathways into the creative and cultural industries for young people and supporting the next generation of leaders to turn lived experience into meaningful change.

Roman is a civil society advocate based in Cyprus, with a strong interest in youth empowerment and diplomacy. He currently works as a Public Relations (PR) Officer at Cyprus Youth DiplomaCY, a youth-focused NGO dedicated to engaging young people with foreign policy issues. As a member of the Coordinating Committee of the House of Youth Representatives—Cyprus' youth parliament—he is committed to empowering young people to be co-shapers of domestic policy and active citizens.

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