INTRODUCTION:
The importance of youth-centred care for achieving better health outcomes in young people is well recognised [1]. However, for my public health practitioners, the natural dynamism of youth language and culture can be difficult to engage with and navigate. To address the gap between acknowledging the need for youth engagement and practically implementing strategies to achieve this, four leading health organisations working in the Southern African region: Sentebale, Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe (THRU ZIM), and MTV Staying Alive Foundation, with the support of the Young World Federation of Public Health Associations (Young WFPHA), will share their experiences and expertise through a powerful mixed-media, interactive, and thought-provoking workshop. This workshop aims to explore how research, interventions and programmes can meaningfully engage youth through interactive experience based learning. This will be delivered by: highlighting the importance of meaningful youth engagement, especially on youth-related health topics, and the power of bringing human connection to public health messaging; showcasing successful youth-focused community engagement projects in the Southern African region and discuss how the featured projects can be adapted to different settings; and providing an opportunity to up-skill delegates in youth engagement strategies for public health.

METHODS:
Divided into four parts, each of our collaborating partners will lead our workshop to bring inspiring examples of working alongside youth from the fields of research, advocacy, and health programming at the local, national, and international level. We will explore strategies relating to educational entertainment, community outreach, advisory groups, and art-centred approaches.