WSI Board Member Engages in Global Sport Policy Dialogue at CIGEPS 2026

Advancing Safe Sport Through Global Policy Dialogue

Emily Cameron-Blake, Board Member of WomenSport International (WSI), represented WSI at the Ordinary Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Physical Education and Sport (CIGEPS), held on 15 June 2026 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France.

At the June 2026 session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for Physical Education and Sport (CIGEPS), global stakeholders came together to advance ongoing work on international sport policy, with a strong focus on creating safer, more inclusive sport systems.

A central highlight of the session was the launch of a new UNESCO report, Toward Safe Sport: Policy Recommendations from People Impacted by Violence in Sport. This report was developed through consultations with individuals directly affected by violence in sport, including survivors, advocates, and other stakeholders, and emphasizes the importance of incorporating lived experiences into policy development.

The report forms part of UNESCO’s broader effort to develop Global Policy Standards for Inclusive, Equitable and Safe Sport and Physical Education, aimed at supporting governments in strengthening governance, accountability, and human rights protections in sport systems worldwide.

Safe Sport as a Global Priority

The discussions at CIGEPS reinforced that safe sport is an increasingly urgent global priority. While awareness of abuse and violence in sport has grown, responses across countries remain inconsistent and fragmented.

Evidence presented during the session highlighted ongoing challenges, including gaps in data systems, differences in reporting mechanisms, and limited coordination across sectors responsible for athlete welfare.

Participants emphasized that building safe sport environments requires more than isolated interventions. Instead, it depends on coordinated national policies, strong governance frameworks, and systems that support prevention, reporting, and accountability.

Centering Lived Experience in Policy Development

A key theme emerging from the session and the newly launched report is the importance of centering the voices of those impacted by violence in sport. UNESCO’s consultation process engaged athletes, survivors, whistleblowers, and advocates to ensure that policy recommendations reflect real-world experiences and needs.

This approach signals a shift toward more inclusive and responsive policy development—where athletes’ perspectives are recognized as essential to shaping effective safeguarding strategies.

Key Themes in Ongoing Policy Development

Several interconnected priorities were highlighted throughout the discussions:

• Inclusive Policy Approaches: Engaging diverse and underrepresented groups—including women, girls, and persons with disabilities—in shaping policy frameworks.
• Evidence and Data Systems: Strengthening data collection and monitoring to better understand and respond to violence in sport.
• Coordination Across Sectors: Enhancing collaboration across sport, education, health, and social sectors to address safeguarding comprehensively.
• Implementation and Capacity: Recognizing the need for sustained investment and practical support to translate global standards into local action.
• Context-Sensitive Application: Ensuring that international frameworks can be adapted to national and community contexts.

Looking Ahead

The outcomes of the 2026 CIGEPS session contribute to the continued development of UNESCO’s Global Policy Standards, which aim to guide governments in building sport systems grounded in safety, equity, and human rights.

These standards are expected to be further discussed at upcoming international policy forums, reflecting a growing global commitment to safeguarding and inclusion in sport.