Network aims to keep the professionals in Canberra

But allowing them to mould the territory's future identity, beyond being the capital of Australia, could be the secret to keeping the talent here, says young architect Aj Bala.

Of the 17,210 people who left the territory last financial year, most were aged 25 to 29, followed by those in the 20- to 24-year age bracket, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics migration data.

Although the ACT was not the only state or territory to face a mass exodus of residents in their 20s, it had the highest proportion at more than 30 per cent of total leavers.

Associate architect Mr Bala, 32, is one territorian bucking the trend. He believes if young professionals work together they can collectively make Canberra the city they want it to be.

As part of young professionals' group Future Net, Mr Bala is behind a series of events for his peers from all industries to meet, collaborate and learn the networking skills that could benefit their own careers and help shape Canberra's future.

''We keep losing [young professionals] to other cities - they'll come back later on, but we want to try and keep them invested in Canberra,'' he said.

Mr Bala moved to Canberra with his family when he was three and chose to study and work in the territory, but he can understand the pressure to leave.

''People always ask, 'When are you going to step up to bigger things?''' he said.

''My response is 'I'd like to develop my skills in Canberra, it provides so many opportunities'.

''It's a blank slate.''

Mr Bala said he wanted to be part of developing Canberra's emerging restaurant and cafe culture, following the city's evolution in the past four or five years, in part thanks to the CBR brand - which is also behind the initiative.

''[It won't be] a corporate place like Sydney, more cultural and vibrant like Melbourne, but with its own identity,'' he said.

''You think it's a boring place, just politics and the public service, but there's actually a lot more to Canberra than people perceive.''

The events, launched at the National Library of Australia on Tuesday and dubbed the Future Sessions, will begin at the National Arboretum on May 12, where shadow assistant treasurer Andrew Leigh will speak on economic growth.

At the Canberra Glassworks in July, the inaugural Chief Minister's challenge will be launched for young professionals to collaborate on a project for ACT's economic development.

The events' facilitator, Consult Australia ACT manager Kevin Keith, said the sessions would encourage participants to be better citizens, with 10 per cent of ticket sales to go to a local charity and the rest to stage future events.

''It's about putting the 'can be' into Canberra,'' he said. ''Linking place so closely to professional development is quite unique.

''We want to bring young professionals into the debate of where the city is going. Is it the national's capital or the community of Canberra?''