Held at the Millennium Event Centre in Lausanne, the Summit brought together a diverse global coalition of stakeholders - from banks and NGOs to researchers, educators, and urban planners all united under one vision: harnessing sport to build stronger, more inclusive societies.

“One of the most significant impacts for me,” Dawson shared, “was the sheer breadth and extent of the global network working together with sport and all its benefits for humanity at the heart.”

For Dawson, the Summit was more than a series of conversations, it was validation that Oceania’s approach is not only aligned with global best practice but is, in fact, helping shape it.

She pointed to the growing recognition of the Oceania Impact Network (OIN) a regional collaboration between the ONOC Equity Commission, Team Up, UN Women, Olympic Solidarity, and Olympism365 as a “strong and effective model where organisations can work together across countries, communities and regionally.” The OIN aims to elevate leadership, visibility, education, and resourcing for programmes that promote safe sport and prevent violence against women, girls, and vulnerable communities.

‍

‍

Concrete Gains for Oceania

Dawson highlighted several tangible outcomes from the Summit that will directly benefit Oceania:

• Confirmed IOC support for the Safe Sport Regional Hub in Oceania — a game-changing investment in safeguarding infrastructure and programming.
• Expanded funding through the Play for Equity Fund, enabling grassroots initiatives that empower women, girls, and marginalized groups through sport.
• New Safe Sport Focal Point training tools that will scale knowledge and skills across national federations, clubs, and community sport providers — expanding the reach and impact of safeguarding measures.

“The new Focal Point training will be a game changer,” Dawson said. “It builds directly on and supports our Oceania Safe Sport Community of Practice.”

The Road Ahead

In her dual role as ONOC Equity Commission Chair and Oceania’s representative on the International Safe Sport Steering Committee, Dawson outlined her immediate post-Summit priorities:

1. Encouraging NOCs and Games leaders across Oceania to promote and facilitate Safe Sport Focal Point training at all levels of sport.
2. Sustaining momentum within the Community of Practice, ensuring knowledge exchange, mentorship, and peer support continues to flourish.
3. Championing women and emerging leaders by creating pathways for skill development and leadership growth across the region.

“We must support our female leaders and young aspiring leaders to grow and develop their skills and capabilities  for the betterment of sport in their communities and their nations,” Dawson said.

As the Olympic Movement continues to evolve its focus from performance to people, Dawson’s reflections reaffirm that Oceania through its partnerships, its people, and its unwavering commitment to equity  is not on the sidelines of global sport development. It is leading from the front.

‍