Rooted in Relational Practice, Rising in Relational Leadership
The conference will be held at its usual venue, the Bonnington Hotel, Dublin, Ireland, on 9-10 November 2026.
UNITY 2026 will be a safe, relational space where colleagues from around the world can:
- Share emerging research and practice wisdom
- Engage in workshops and interactive learning
- Participate in thoughtful dialogue and discussion
- Build meaningful international connections
- Reflect together on the future of relational leadership
We welcome participants from across the human and caring professions, including (but not limited to):
- Child & Youth Care
- Social Care
- Social Work
- Pedagogues
- Education
- Psychology
- Early Years
- Youth Work
- Justice
- Community and Family Services.
Conference Focus
Leadership in relational contexts requires sustained commitment. Building teams, developing morale, addressing workforce turnover, mentoring through example, and safeguarding relational values are ongoing and intentional tasks. As we become more experienced as practitioners and leaders, it is ever more apparent that there is a growing responsibility to ensure that hard-earned relational learning is:
- Preserved
- Remembered
- Adapted
- Reimagined
- Carried forward by emerging generations.
UNITY 2026 seeks to explore how we remain rooted in relational practice while rising into relational leadership.
Call for Papers
The UNITY 2026 Committee invites both local and international presenters to submit proposals that align with the theme of Relational Leadership Practices. We welcome a broad spectrum of contributions, including:
- Research
- Practice-based presentations
- Workshops (interactive and experiential)
- Panel discussions
- Storytelling and narrative approaches
- Innovative leadership models
- Case studies
- Reflective or theoretical explorations.
Consideration will be given to any proposal that meaningfully engages with relational leadership.
Suggested Themes
Proposals may explore Relational Leadership Practices incorporating concepts such as:
- Love
- Optimism
- Connection
- Communication
- Strength Focus
- Curiosity
- Equality
- Humour
- Safety
- Trauma-informed practice
- Wisdom
- Empathy
- Acceptance
- Integrity
- Self-awareness
- Reflective practice.
We particularly encourage submissions that:
- Explore mentoring and developing emerging leaders
- Examine intergenerational knowledge transfer
- Address relational leadership in challenging systems
- Share innovative approaches to sustaining relational cultures
- Offer practical tools and techniques grounded in relational values.
Why Present at Unity 2026?
Presenting at Unity 2026 offers an opportunity to:
- Contribute to the growing international Body of Knowledge in Relational Practice
- Influence and inspire current and emerging leaders
- Share your voice within a global relational community
- Engage in meaningful, reflective exchange
- Strengthen international networks.
A Relational Invitation
Unity 2026 is more than a conference — it is a gathering rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and collective learning. If you are passionate about working with or caring for children and youth, and appreciate the need for relational practice and leadership — whether through research, lived experience, teaching, supervision, management, or direct practice — we invite you to join us in shaping this important conversation.