More than 1000 students from around the state will gather in Adelaide to build the knowledge, confidence and skills to have their voices heard and contribute to democratic life.

In its second year, the Active Citizenship Convention, ‘Our Voice, Our Impact’, will take place at Adelaide Oval on August 25, 26 and 27.

The one-day event, repeated across three days, will help year 10 students understand how democracy works, how they can participate in it, and the different ways people can exercise leadership and influence change. They will participate in a mock ballot hosted by the Australian Electoral Commission, meet some of SA’s leaders from political, media, the arts, community and sports to explore the many forms leadership may take and explore a historic timeline of South Australia’s democratic innovations.

Students will strengthen their ability to recognise misinformation and disinformation, understand the influence of AI and make informed judgements about what they see and hear.

Students will also test their ideas against different perspectives, hear from youth leaders and build confidence to participate in civic and community life.

The immersive event will be hosted by Tony Armstrong, learning experiences facilitated by Eventful Learning’s Summer Howarth and feature a musical performance by APY Lands hip hop group DEM MOB.

Department for Education Chief Executive, Professor Martin Westwell, said the convention will help young people develop the knowledge and confidence to make informed judgements, responsibly use AI, participate in democracy and make a difference.

"Young people care deeply about the world around them, but they are growing up in an information environment where truth, opinion and deliberate misinformation can be difficult to distinguish," said Professor Westwell.

"At the Active Citizenship Convention students will hear different perspectives, test their own thinking and see that democracy is something they can actively participate in, not simply learn about."