A Conference Like No Other - the first IPA Asia Pacific Play Conference

The inaugural IPA Asia Pacific Play Conference is set to be a groundbreaking event, bringing together a diverse mix of stakeholders from across the region to explore the transformative power of play. Join us at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, June 25–26, 2025, where educators, urban planners, health professionals, designers, community leaders, and advocates will come together to imagine bold new futures, through play.

The conference is built around key themes, Urban Planning & Design, Education & The Arts, and Health & Wellbeing, and tackles the big issues affecting children’s lives today, from climate change and public health to the role of technology and the design of our cities. Each session is designed as a provocation, sparking deeper thinking and collaborative action. With multiple provocations to choose from per session and a dynamic closing workshop to wrap each day, this conference is unlike anything else on the calendar.

Early Bird tickets available now! Register Now

At the heart of the program are our Play Provocateurs, visionaries, researchers, designers and advocates who are challenging the status quo and reshaping how we understand and value play:

David Engwicht (Australia) – Creative urban strategist reimagining public space through the lens of everyday play.
Dr Sudeshna Chatterjee (India) – Advocate for child-friendly cities and inclusive urban design.
Dr Hiroyuki Kasama (Japan) – Researcher exploring the deep cultural and psychological roots of play.
Dr Brendan Hyndman (Australia) – Innovator in education using play to promote movement and wellbeing.
Preeti Prada Panigrahi (India) – Social entrepreneur driving grassroots play equity initiatives.
Dr Damian Puddle (New Zealand) – Specialist in physical literacy and movement-based learning through play.
Robyn Monro Miller (Australia) – Champion for children’s rights and play as a foundational right.
Mark Gurr (New Zealand) – Leader in community-driven recreation and play design.
Hitoshi Shimamura (Japan) – Advocate for unstructured, adventure-based play environments.
Associate Professor Jill Sewell AM (Australia) – Esteemed paediatrician bringing a health lens to the importance of play in early childhood.
Christine Lee (Taiwan) – Policy and advocacy leader with a focus on inclusive play for children of all abilities.
Associate Professor Rachel Jones (Australia) – Researcher bridging education, mental health and play in childhood development.

Explore the full program.

These provocateurs will spark essential conversations, challenge assumptions, and inspire action across education, public health, design, urban planning, and community building.

We’d love to see you there! whether you’re deep in the play space or just starting your journey. It’s your chance to connect with global leaders, engage in rich cross-sector dialogue, and shape the future of play across the Asia Pacific.

Early Bird registration is now open. Secure your spot today and be part of this historic event.