OCA Strengthens International Collaboration with Europe and Canada

The Outdoor Council of Australia (OCA) began a collaboration and membership exchange with Europe and Canada’s Outdoor Councils in 2025. After the first 2026 meeting it has been emphasised as an incredibly valuable international discussion focused on the future of the outdoor industry and the shared challenges and opportunities emerging across our regions.

While each country and system is different, the conversation reinforced just how much we have in common. Across Australia, Canada and Europe, outdoor leaders are grappling with many of the same issues — including access to nature, the relationship between conservation and recreation, workforce development, tourism growth, industry recognition, standards, and the need for stronger data to inform policy and advocacy.

The discussion highlighted the importance of creating an international space for dialogue across the outdoor ecosystem — one that recognises outdoor activity as more than a single discipline or interest group.

A strong theme throughout was the value of progressing gradually, building trust, and remaining open to the many different ways outdoor activity is understood and structured in different parts of the world. While terminology and policy settings may vary, the collective commitment to a thriving, recognised and well-supported outdoor sector was clear.

For OCA, these conversations are both encouraging and strategically important. They help position Australia within a broader global dialogue, while also opening the door to practical exchange, mutual support and stronger international alignment over time.

This is an important conversation, and one OCA is pleased to be part of.