Birmingham, United Kingdom | 10 July 2026
The Oceania Impact Network yesterday delivered one of the IWG Global Summit's featured SHIFT Sessions, "The Oceania Impact Network: Proof That Another Way is Possible," bringing together delegates from across the world to explore how Pacific-led partnerships are transforming sport through collaboration, trust and shared leadership.
Opening the session, ONOC Vice President and President of the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee, Emma Waiwai, welcomed participants into the Pacific practice of Talanoa, inviting delegates to embrace a way of working that values relationships before outcomes and collective leadership before individual action.
The session showcased the Oceania Impact Network as a practical example of participatory leadership in action, highlighting how sport organisations, governments, development partners and civil society are working together to create safer, more inclusive and equitable sporting environments across Oceania.
Delegates heard insights from members of the Oceania Impact Network Governance Team and partners, including Ala-Cassandra Singh (OIN), Roshika Deo (Team Up), Jurgita Serekaite (UN Women), and Ollie Dudfield (Olympism365), who shared lessons from building a partnership grounded in trust, shared decision-making and Pacific values.
A highlight of the session was the strong engagement from delegates throughout the interactive discussions and Talanoa, with participants sharing experiences from their own regions and exploring how the Oceania Impact Network model could be adapted within different cultural and sporting contexts.
One of the most significant moments came during the closing question-and-answer session, when delegates asked how the Oceania Impact Network measures success.
The discussion reinforced that success extends beyond participation numbers or programme delivery. Instead, partners reflected on the importance of developing a shared Theory of Change that measures stronger partnerships, increased trust, collective leadership, systems change and long-term cultural transformation alongside tangible programme outcomes.
The conversation highlighted that defining success together is itself an important part of the partnership journey and will continue to guide the future evolution of the Oceania Impact Network.
Looking Ahead: A Blue Pacific Talanoa – Building an Inclusive Safe Sport Ecosystem
Building on the momentum from the SHIFT Session, the Oceania Impact Network today hosts its Continental Session, "A Blue Pacific Talanoa: Building an Inclusive Safe Sport Ecosystem."
The immersive session will take delegates beyond discussion into shared learning through Pacific storytelling, athlete voices, the screening of the Breaking Ground documentary, facilitated Talanoa and interactive Pasifika Café conversations. Participants will explore what these experiences mean for the future of sport in the Pacific and how trusted partnerships can drive lasting systems change.
The Continental Session will feature:
• A Pacific welcome from Emma Waiwai, Vice President of the Oceania National Olympic Committee and President of the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee.
• Opening remarks from Carolyn Ngiraidis, IWG Board Member and ONOC Equity Commission member.
• An athlete reflection from Rusila Nagasau OLY, former captain of the Fijiana Rugby Team.
• A screening of the Breaking Ground documentary, showcasing the partnership between UN Women, Oceania Rugby and Fiji Rugby.
• A facilitated Talanoa exploring what the documentary means for the future of sport in the Pacific.
• Interactive Pasifika Café conversations bringing together leaders from the Olympic Movement, sport-for-development organisations and athlete representatives to explore partnership, safeguarding, gender equality and systems leadership.
• A closing share-back where delegates will identify practical actions and commitments they can apply within their own organisations and regions.
By the end of the session, participants will leave with a practical relational blueprint and at least one concrete action they can take to strengthen or reimagine partnerships in their own regional context - demonstrating once again that Pacific leadership, grounded in trust, Talanoa and collective action, offers a powerful model for advancing gender equality in and through sport.
