The Safe World Summit was the biggest and most important event on gender equality and gender based violence to take place in Europe in 2018.

Over two days in October 2018, 35 global leaders, joined an audience of over 500 activists, advocates, survivors and young people in the Mansion House, Dublin, not just to talk about the enormous problem that we know violence against women is here in Ireland and across the globe, but to put their heads together to explore the innovative solutions that are needed to really address the inequality, the control and the dominance that are at the heart of violence.

With this Summit we are placing Ireland at the centre of the world’s possibilities to transform violence against women and create a whole new world view.

Safe Ireland believes that Ireland can become the safest country in the world for women and children.

Change is happening. How fast is up to us.

On the Saturday before the Safe World Summit, we held a special ceremony on the Hill of Uisneach to bring symbolic light from Ireland’s mythological and sacred centre directly to the Summit.

The Summit opened with a dramatic and poignant “Bring in the Light” ceremony with survivors and young people. A light was carried from Uisneach Hill by young people through the streets of Dublin on the morning of the Summit into the Mansion House. The light represented the restoration of balance between the masculine and feminine and an end to inequality and violence against women.

Speakers 2018

Listen to a selection of speakers from 2018. To hear all the speakers/performers click here.

Watch a selection of Speakers from Summit 2018. To watch all speakers/performers click here

SpunOut.ie Partnership

Safe Ireland believed that young people voices, viewpoints, and experiences were necessary for the Summit to be a success. We approached and partnered with SpunOut.ie Ireland’s youth led organisation for 16-25 year old’s to invite 100 young people from across Ireland to attend and also contribute to the Summit by speaking and sharing their viewpoints and experiences.

Leading up to the event SpunOut.ie provided workshops to gather and prepare those attending the Summit, and to help those contributing to gain the skills and confidence to contribute during the two days.

SpunOut.ie reporter Mafalda Branco reported on the Summit in this article.

The SÍLAs

The Safe Ireland Leadership Awards – or as we call them the SÍLAs are awards to recognise amazing people who we admire and believe have helped to make our homes, our communities and our world a safer and more equal place.

In our inaugural year of the SÍLAs, we recognised the careers, passions and dedication of some truly remarkable women – Dr. Edith Eger, Dr. Riane Eisler, Ailbhe Smyth and Norah Casey. Jacinta Carey, Chairperson of Safe Ireland presented the awards on the night.

See what some of our attendees had to say:

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@edelh

Exhausted .. but completely buoyed up after the @SAFEIreland #safeworldsummit. Unbelievable speakers, rocking presentations and performances, bravery, hope and resolve to change the way we respond to violence against women …from start to finish. pic.twitter.com/WNLhOjDpiQ

— Edel Hackett (@edelh) October 24, 2018

@MiaChristina_

I've just had the most extraordinary day. I've never been to a conference on trauma that was so restorative and integrative. Thankyou so much @Knockadoo and everyone at @SAFEIreland #SafeWorldSummit ❤

— Mia (@MiaChristina_) October 23, 2018

@JayRow

https://twitter.com/JayRow/status/1054782614488387585

@FitzgeraldFrncs

Inspired by the bravery that is being shown at #SafeWorldSummit.

Domestic Violence is a pernicious evil that has devastating physical, emotional and financial consequences.

It is simply not acceptable that anyone in 21st century Ireland is subjected to such fear and abuse. pic.twitter.com/zV0p4cxOQg

— Frances Fitzgerald (@FitzgeraldFrncs) October 23, 2018

@RCNIreland

Still taking in all the learning and connections from @SAFEIreland #safeWorldSummit at the start of this week. Thank you @Knockadoo @CaitGleeson and all your wonderful team for another challenging and uplifting summit pic.twitter.com/c9JDRjSYv1

— Rape Crisis Network (@RCNIreland) October 26, 2018

@Benjmeany

A heartbreaking yet inspiring couple days at @SAFEIreland's #SafeWorldSummit. While there's so much evidence of a system set against women and children – victims of severe domestic violence and abuse – there are so many people, survivors, activists, ready to challenge that system pic.twitter.com/9ZH6nSLKpj

— Ben Meany (@Benjmeany) October 23, 2018

@CindySouthworth

I’m honored to participate in @SAFEIreland’s powerful #SafeWorldSummit alongside these (& so many other) badass women: @MonicaRamirezDC @Lynnspeaksout pic.twitter.com/wZycqBnQkU

— Cindy Southworth (@CindySouthworth) October 23, 2018

@frances_black

Inspirational speeches this morning by Clara Rose Thornton and Suzanne Connolly at the @SAFEIreland #SafeWorldSummit pic.twitter.com/VXcpT2kVH3

— Frances Black (@frances_black) October 23, 2018

@criodanomurhcu

After two days of amazing speakers, @SAFEIreland #SafeWorldSummit has come to an end. I had the pleasure of being invited to attend by @SpunOut.
It was an eye-opening experience looking at domestic violence in Ireland and what can be done. pic.twitter.com/gluvxoT2Zv

— Criodán Ó Murchú (@criodanomurchu) October 23, 2018

@Clarke3Anne

https://twitter.com/Clarke3Anne/status/1054811267578413057

@ClaireDunne2

https://twitter.com/ClaireDunne2/status/1054470007147687937

@HazelKLarkin

As a victim of sexual violence (primarily perpetrated by my father & elder brothers) I discounted the damage of the intimate partner violence I suffered at the hands of my ex-husbands as 'not as bad'. The @SAFEIreland #safeworldsummit made me realise it wasn't trivial. #16Days

— HazelKatherineLarkin (@HazelKLarkin) November 25, 2018

@HerstoryIreland

Reflecting back on the transformative #SafeWorldSummit this week. Here's another favourite quote shared by speaker Gillian Ross who came from Australia to share her fascinating insights for the future #HelloNewWorld pic.twitter.com/1DWxvIlNmU

— Herstory (@HerstoryIreland) October 28, 2018

@chels123ea

"Young people are not the future.. Young people are the today, the now and that will include tomorrow" – Edith Eger 2018

These pictures really do not show how incredible safe world summit 2018 really was ❤ #safeworldsummit pic.twitter.com/XIs4OGdpgI

— Chelsea :) xx (@chels123ea) October 24, 2018

@AnjaHirche

Reflecting these past few amazing days at the #SafeWorldSummit…
Inspiring and amazing people and speakers and an amazing experience that will forever stay with me! Thank You @SpunOut for giving us the opportunity to participate! pic.twitter.com/aYlz3CvzuP

— Bananja (@AnjaHirche) October 24, 2018

@Jensology

This was such a beautiful way to end #SafeWorldSummit as we all head back into our communities taking with us some of the light https://t.co/iVwHteWkbW

— Jennifer Gavin (@Jensology) October 24, 2018

@winniemli

Full moon rising over #TrinityCollege @tcddublin – a nice solo walk on an autumn evening to finish two powerful, emotional days at #safeworldsummit @SAFEIreland #BelieveWomen #BelieveSurvivors #travel #Ireland #recovery #hope pic.twitter.com/8mvnxR8TQv

— Winnie M Li (@winniemli) October 23, 2018

@PTsouros

So #safeworldsummit 2018 is over. With so many extraordinary speakers the room was filled with powerful, energetic, forceful words. Words of encouragement, of healing, togetherness; words that United us all in one mission to end violence against women and families. @SAFEIreland pic.twitter.com/cdds545fdc

— Patricia Tsouros (@PTsouros) October 23, 2018

@dottymurf

So the amazing @SAFEIreland #SafeWorldSummit has come to a close. I’m shattered. It was such a stunning two days, I learnt so much, laughed and cried, danced and practised embodiment, meditated and was utterly inspired. Thanks so much @Knockadoo for the opportunity to attend! pic.twitter.com/YqsfufRL1O

— Doris (@dottymurf) October 23, 2018

@SpunOut

A huge congratulations to @Knockadoo and @CaitGleeson on an incredible two day #SafeWorldSummit here in Dublin. A powerful conversation that will spark change and bring us closer to a safer Ireland & World. Thank you for including young people at the ❤️ of this special event. pic.twitter.com/S7gGhWjLva

— SpunOut.ie (@SpunOut) October 23, 2018

@YvieNi

I've had the most wonderful two days at the #SafeWorldSummit. I've gotten the opportunity to hear so many inspiring women speak & share their stories & I've connected with so many amazing others. Thanks so much to @SAFEIreland & @Knockadoo for creating & facilitating this space. pic.twitter.com/7mbFk9eUsI

— Yvie Ní (@YvieNi) October 23, 2018

“Where do I begin? For me this Summit was a very holistic experience. It provided me with healing, insights, sharing of knowledge, and also gave me some lifetime connections.”

Insia DariwalaFilm Maker, India

“The Safe World Summit was superbly organised by Safe Ireland. Every last detail was attended to from the opening ceremony to the flow of speakers, from the range of topics to the variety of inputs. It was a thoroughly engaging, interesting, motivating event.”

Carmel McNameeManager of DVAS, Sligo, Leitrim and West Cavan

“The Safe Ireland Summit brings you on a journey where you meet extraordinary brave courageous people that share their own personal experiences and also their role in advocating an end of violence to women around the world. It is humbling to witness this bravery and be among such inspirational advocates.”

Anne ClarkeManager, Offaly Domestic Violence Service

“While the room fills up with words of pain, hurt and loss, the Summit envelopes everyone in the radiance of support, inspiration and hope which ultimately makes you believe we can make a difference to people’s lives.”

Detective Sergeant Laura Sweeney GNPSB

“A unique event which created a sense of solidarity and possibility”

Carol Ballantine

“Movements emerge from face-to-face interaction. Then it is perceived that focusing on negative issues and pain heightens the energy from which movements take shape. Safe Ireland’s World Summit, however, negates the latter supposition because it does not rely on the negative energy. Despite the underlying cause, which is domestic violence, the Summit focused on inspiring stories, healing, art, wisdom drawn from socio-legal and political studies as well as from the laws of universe. This amazing synergy of multiple approaches facilitates empowerment to overcome domestic violence in a holistic and most positive way.”

Jurgita

“Safeworld Summit 2018- an event that has truly changed my life, as a woman in today’s society.”

AnonymousSpunOut.ie attendee

“It was the most incredible inspiring conference I’ve been too. The connections and the feeling that no one is alone was irreplaceable. It was genuinely a hard to hear topic but filled with so much hope for the future making it such a great and loving conference.”

AnonymousSpunOut.ie Attendee

Gallery Safe World Summit 2018

Main Funders:

SAFE Ireland National Social Change Agency CLG is a registered charity: Charity number 20039677; Revenue CHY number 13064. Registered company number 291205.