The EOC Culture and Education Commission gathered in Lausanne from 23-24 October, providing a valuable opportunity for members to exchange knowledge and discuss the continued development of the EYOA educational program across Europe.
Chaired by EOC Executive Committee Member José Manuel Araújo, the meeting brought together Commission members to review recent successes and explore future opportunities in Olympic education and culture in the iconic setting of the Olympic Museum and Olympic Studies Centre.
A key focus of discussions was the European Youth Olympic Ambassador (EYOA) programme, with particular attention given to its successful implementation at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) Skopje 2025 and EYOF Bakuriani 2025. Nataša Janković, EYOA Project Coordinator, presented insights from the programme’s delivery at both EYOFs, with 22 Ambassadors participating in the winter edition and 28 in the summer edition of 2025.
The programme was hailed as a huge success, with ambitious plans already underway for the 2027 EYOFs in Brașov and Lignano Sabbiadoro.
The Commission also heard from representatives of the International Olympic Committee, including Xenia Kourgouzova, Education Manager Senior at the Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage, and Nicolas Chamerois, Senior Manager for Youth Olympic Games (YOG), Experience & Development. Their presentations proved particularly timely with the YOG Dakar 2026 now just one year away.
Members took advantage of the Lausanne setting to visit the Olympic Museum, the Olympic Studies Centre, and the IOC Historical Archives, enriching their understanding of Olympic heritage and educational resources, also thanks to the insightful presentation by Maria Bogner, Head of the Olympic Studies Centre.
Araújo said: “It was a great opportunity to bring the Commission together at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. These meetings allow us to share experiences and strengthen our collective work in promoting Olympic values across Europe.” The Commission also discussed its continued contribution to EOC Strategic Agenda 2030.
