The 2026 symposium marked ASAPE’s 19th biennial meeting and brought together researchers, educators, practitioners, students and policy-makers working in adapted physical education, adapted physical activity, rehabilitation and exercise science. As the Asian branch of the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (IFAPA), ASAPE provides an important platform for advancing equitable opportunities in physical activity and sport for people with disabilities and other special needs.

Ensuring that innovation supports inclusion

Speaking in his roles as ICSSPE Executive Director and Disability Community Liaison for IFAPA, Patrick Stolpmann emphasised that physical activity, physical education and sport must be accessible to everyone, regardless of ability.

His opening remarks addressed the symposium’s theme, “New Tech, New Map,” and the growing potential of technologies such as artificial intelligence, wearable devices, robotics, virtual reality and digital health to support adapted physical activity, rehabilitation, education and participation.

While acknowledging the opportunities created by technological progress, he stressed that innovation should not be treated as an end in itself. New technologies must be developed and applied in ways that are inclusive, ethical and accessible.

He also highlighted the importance of actively involving people with disabilities in the design and implementation of technological solutions. Their lived experiences, priorities and needs must help shape how innovation is used in physical education, sport and rehabilitation.

“Technology can open new possibilities, but meaningful progress will depend on whether those possibilities are available to everyone,” Mr. Stolpmann said. “Inclusion, dignity and equal opportunity must remain at the centre of future developments.”

Connecting research, practice and policy

Throughout the three-day symposium, participants explored how emerging technologies could contribute to the future of adapted physical education and exercise. The programme created opportunities to present research, exchange professional experience and discuss new approaches to education, rehabilitation and participation.

The discussions also underlined the need to connect scientific research more closely with practical implementation. Effective innovation requires cooperation between researchers, educators, practitioners, technology developers, policy-makers and, most importantly, people with disabilities.

This approach closely reflects ICSSPE’s vision of educating for a sustainable quality of life for all through physical activity and sport. It also aligns with the Council’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation and supporting the exchange of knowledge between science, education, policy and practice.

Strengthening international cooperation

Participation in ASAPE 2026 provided an important opportunity for ICSSPE to deepen its engagement with the international adapted physical activity community and reinforce its longstanding relationship with IFAPA.

By contributing to the symposium, ICSSPE supported international dialogue on how research and technological development can be translated into inclusive and accessible opportunities for participation.

The ASAPE Symposium is organised every two years and provides participants with opportunities to exchange knowledge and experience in research, professional preparation, advocacy and service delivery in the field of adapted physical activity.

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During the visit, ICSSPE’s Executive Director met with Yong Zhijun, Secretary General of the National Paralympic Committee of China and Deputy Director General of the Department of Sports of the China Disabled Persons’ Federation. Their exchange provided an opportunity to present ICSSPE’s international network and discuss the potential for collaboration in areas related to inclusive sport, physical activity and the Paralympic movement. The China Disabled Persons’ Federation plays an important coordinating role in the development of disability and Paralympic sport in China.

Further discussions took place with representatives of the General Administration of Sport of China, including Wang Xinzhai, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Education, and Zhang Xinwei from its Education Division. The meeting addressed ICSSPE’s role in connecting organisations from sport science, physical education and sport policy, as well as its potential to support international exchanges, shared learning and joint initiatives.

Mr. Stolpmann also met with Professor Zhao Jiexiu of the China Institute of Sport Science. Zhao is Deputy Director of the Institute and serves as Vice-President for Asia of the International Council for Coaching Excellence. The discussion highlighted the value of closer exchanges between Chinese and international experts and institutions, particularly in sport science, research and coach development.

The last meeting was held at the Beijing Sport University, with President Zhang Jian and a professor from the China Institute of Sport and Health Science. The conversation explored the university’s extensive work in sport education, research and athlete development and considered how ICSSPE could provide a platform for international academic cooperation and knowledge exchange. Beijing Sport University is one of China’s leading specialised institutions for sport education and research.

The visit also included a campus tour, during which Mr. Stolpmann was introduced to the university’s sport rehabilitation facilities and kinesiology department. He additionally visited one of its major indoor sports halls, where the university volleyball team was training. An informal conversation with the athletes and staff covered university sport and the team’s recent silver-medal performance at the national championships.

Across all meetings, ICSSPE presented its mission, international membership and activities, emphasising the Council’s capacity to serve as a global platform for exchange, learning and collaborative projects. The discussions demonstrated a shared interest in strengthening connections between China and ICSSPE’s international network in fields including sport science, physical education, coaching, inclusion and institutional development.

The visit represents an important step in expanding ICSSPE’s engagement with Chinese sport organisations and academic institutions. ICSSPE looks forward to continuing these conversations and identifying concrete opportunities for future cooperation.

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The closing event marked an important milestone in the project, bringing together athletes, sport professionals, policymakers, national focal points, and representatives of European institutions to reflect on the project’s findings, outcomes and future directions.

The “Sport For All” project aims to support a more inclusive sport culture by addressing barriers to the participation of persons with disabilities in sport and by promoting safer, more accessible and non-discriminatory sport environments. The project focused on eight participating countries: Armenia, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Serbia, Türkiye and Ukraine.

Translating project findings into capacity building

As part of the project, ICSSPE was responsible for supporting the capacity-building component through the design and delivery of two tailored training workshops for sport professionals and stakeholders from the participating countries. These workshops built on the findings of the project’s needs assessment and focused on strengthening inclusive sport systems in practice.

Patrick Stolpmann represented ICSSPE during the closing event. On the first day, he moderated the session on “Athlete leadership and advocacy”, which featured contributions from Martina Caironi, Paralympic medallist in the 100m sprint and long jump and member of the Athletes’ Council of the International Paralympic Committee and World Para Athletics, and Päivi Tolppanen, Para judo coach and Vice-President of the Finnish Paralympic Committee. The discussion highlighted the role of athletes and sport leaders in advancing inclusion, visibility and meaningful participation for persons with disabilities in sport.

From workshop outcomes to future action

On the second day, Patrick presented the outcomes of the Sport For All training workshops during the session “Building the capacity of grassroots”. The session also included national good practice contributions from Gearóidín McTavish, Director of Disability at Sport Ireland and Sport For All focal point, and Daniel Videira, Executive Committee Member of the National Paralympic Committee of Portugal and Sport For All focal point.

This session positioned capacity building as a key bridge between the project’s analytical work and future implementation. While the needs assessment identified common structural challenges across the participating countries, the training workshops supported stakeholders in exploring how these findings can inform practical change within their own sport environments.

The closing event also included the presentation of the Sport For All Toolkit, discussions on career pathways for persons with disabilities in sport, and sport demonstrations including wheelchair fencing and blind football. These elements reflected the project’s broader message: inclusive sport systems require not only policy frameworks, but also visible role models, accessible pathways, trained professionals, practical tools and sustained institutional commitment.

ICSSPE is proud to have contributed to this initiative and to have supported the project’s efforts to strengthen inclusion and combat discrimination against persons with disabilities in sport. The outcomes of the project provide a valuable foundation for continued cooperation, peer learning and practical action across Europe and beyond.

Read more about the project and access all resources here: Home – Sport for all

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This year, the IOC’s Let’s Move campaign returns under the theme “You Can Do This! Let’s Move”, inviting people around the world, especially young people, to take the first step towards a more active life. The campaign highlights a simple but powerful message: movement does not need to begin with perfection, confidence or high performance. It can begin with one step, one game, one shared activity or one moment of courage.

At a time when many young people are moving less and facing growing barriers to participation, the 2026 campaign places particular emphasis on self-doubt. Feelings of not being ready, capable or confident enough can prevent young people from taking part in sport and physical activity. Through the message “You Can Do This”, Olympic Day 2026 encourages young people to start where they are, move in ways that feel accessible to them, and discover the confidence, resilience and sense of belonging that physical activity can help build.

For ICSSPE, this message strongly reflects the organisation’s mission to advance physical activity, sport and physical education as essential contributors to quality of life, health and sustainable development. Movement is not only a matter of physical fitness. It is also connected to mental wellbeing, social connection, inclusion, education and empowerment. Olympic Day provides an important reminder that sport and movement should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age, background, ability, gender, experience or level of performance. This principle is central to ICSSPE’s work across research, education, policy and practice, and it continues to guide the organisation’s cooperation with international partners.

As a Recognised Organisation of the IOC, ICSSPE maintains a long-standing relationship with the Olympic Movement and shares its commitment to using sport as a tool for positive social impact. This connection is also reflected in ICSSPE’s involvement in initiatives linked to the IOC’s Olympism365 Strategy, including the Sport and Health Capacity Development Initiative, developed within the framework of IOC and WHO cooperation. Through this work, ICSSPE contributes to strengthening the role of community sport and physical activity in promoting healthier and more active communities.

Olympic Day 2026 is an invitation to reflect on how sport organisations, educators, researchers, policymakers and communities can help remove barriers to movement and create opportunities for everyone to participate. It is also a reminder that confidence often grows through experience: by joining, playing, trying, learning and moving together.

ICSSPE joins the Olympic Movement in celebrating Olympic Day and encourages its members, partners and wider network to support the Let’s Move message in their communities. Whether through schools, clubs, universities, community organisations, public spaces or digital platforms, every opportunity to move can contribute to healthier, more connected and more inclusive societies.

Read more about tge Let’s Move campaign here: Let’s Move 2026 – Toolkit

You can do this. Let’s move.

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ICSSPE attended the meeting in its role as a permanent consultative member of CIGEPS, alongside representatives of elected UNESCO Member States and members of the Permanent Consultative Committee. The session opened with an address by UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany and included the election of H.E. Gohar Nabil, Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sport, as CIGEPS Chair for the remainder of the 2026–2027 mandate.

A central focus of the meeting was UNESCO’s ongoing development of the Global Policy Standards for Inclusive, Equitable and Safe Sport and Physical Education, which are expected to be presented for consideration by governments at the upcoming MINEPS VIII. The Standards aim to support governments in strengthening sport and physical education systems through more coherent policies, stronger accountability mechanisms and rights-based approaches.

Dedicated discussions focused on Safe Sport and Disability Inclusion. As part of the Safe Sport session, UNESCO, in partnership with the Sport & Rights Alliance, released the report Toward Safe Sport: Policy Recommendations from People Impacted by Violence, highlighting the importance of survivor-centred approaches, stronger prevention, reporting and support systems. Discussions on Disability Inclusion focused on translating international commitments into concrete and sustained policy action.

The session also included updates on the reform process of the International Convention against Doping in Sport, which aims to strengthen the Convention’s impact, sustainability, governance and effectiveness.

On 17 June, Patrick Stolpmann also met with Philipp Müller-Wirth, Chief of the Sport Section at UNESCO, to continue exchanges on shared priorities between ICSSPE and UNESCO. Key topics included the finalisation and dissemination of the Global Policy Standards highlighted during CIGEPS, joint work on the social return on investment in sport and disability inclusion, updates to the Fit for Life programme, a new Quality Physical Education survey, and preparations for the next MINEPS.

ICSSPE’s participation in CIGEPS reflects its continued commitment to international cooperation and policy dialogue in sport, physical education and physical activity, supporting efforts to build more inclusive, equitable and safe sport systems worldwide.

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Under the theme “75 Years Inspiring Unity Through Sport,” this year’s Congress brought together representatives from international sport organisations, academic institutions, policymaking bodies, athlete communities, and civil society organisations. The event provided an important platform to reflect on the role of sport in promoting ethics, good governance, diplomacy, youth engagement, and social cohesion, while also addressing current challenges and opportunities within the sport sector.

Prof. Dr. Ferreira was invited to contribute as a speaker in the opening roundtable discussion on “Politics, Governance, Sport Diplomacy, and Youth Engagement.” In her intervention, she highlighted that sport diplomacy extends beyond formal relations between governments and international organisations. Rather, it is expressed through interconnected networks of governance structures, ethical leadership, cultural recognition, youth participation, dialogue, and international cooperation.

Drawing on examples such as the Indigenous Games in Brazil and other international sport initiatives, Prof. Dr. Ferreira underlined the importance of inclusion, collaboration, and mutual respect in building more sustainable, equitable, and socially responsible sport systems.

Throughout the two-day Congress, a series of panel discussions explored key topics including sport ethics, integrity, safeguarding, and social responsibility. Speakers and participants emphasised the need to strengthen the educational and social dimensions of sport, while advancing transparency, accountability, inclusion, and respect for human dignity.

One of the highlights of the Congress was the presentation of the inaugural Count Jacques Rogge Prize, established to honour the legacy of the former President of the International Olympic Committee and his lifelong commitment to the educational, humanitarian, and ethical values of sport. Generations For Peace, the international peacebuilding organisation founded by HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan, received the inaugural award.

During the Congress, Prince Feisal shared examples of humanitarian and peacebuilding initiatives developed through sport, dialogue, youth leadership, and community engagement. His contribution demonstrated the powerful role sport can play in fostering peace, mutual understanding, and social transformation in communities affected by conflict and inequality.

The Congress also featured a poster exhibition showcasing initiatives developed by Panathlon clubs and districts from across the world. These projects highlighted the contribution of sport to ethics, education, youth development, inclusion, health promotion, and community engagement. In addition, the event created valuable opportunities for networking and collaboration among leaders from international organisations, universities, and sport institutions.

As a long-standing ICSSPE member organisation, Panathlon International has been an important partner in promoting the ethical, educational, cultural, and social values of sport. ICSSPE’s participation in the Congress reaffirmed its commitment to advancing interdisciplinary cooperation in sport, physical activity, physical education, and related fields, while further strengthening the longstanding relationship between the two organisations.

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The seminar will bring together leading experts from Australia, Canada, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Belgium to exchange knowledge and perspectives on athlete welfare, mental health, and psychological support in high-performance sport.

As the demands placed on Olympic and Paralympic athletes continue to evolve, the seminar will provide an important platform to discuss how sport organisations, practitioners, researchers, and support teams can strengthen the human side of sporting excellence. Topics will focus on the promotion of athlete well-being, the development of psychologically safe sporting environments, and the role of evidence-informed support systems in elite sport.

Hosted by the Brussels Olympic Research and Education Centre, the event also reflects the growing importance of interdisciplinary research and education in supporting athletes, coaches, staff, and wider entourage members within the Olympic and Paralympic Movement.

The seminar represents an important initiative towards advancing dialogue and cooperation around mental health and welfare in sport, bringing together international expertise to support healthier and more sustainable high-performance sport environments.

Participants interested in attending the event online can register using the same link. Online participants will receive the access details closer to the date of the event.

Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=DlVMYeeNp0WL2TAYAwG_C1pCI5L-YOVGlqtT6_cPAjdUQU9QUzUyVkZOTUtMN0dLMlI3ODdQUDhVUC4u&route=shorturl

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Patrick delivered his presentation in representation of the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (IFAPA), in his role as Disability Community Liaison. His session, titled “Promoting disability inclusion through sport – Advocacy strategies,” addressed how sport organisations, policymakers and wider stakeholders can strengthen disability inclusion through evidence-informed, rights-based and disability-led advocacy.

The Policy & Development Hubs were organised as part of the EPYG Legacy Initiative, developed by the European Paralympic Committee to ensure that the impact of the European Para Youth Games extends beyond competition and contributes to long-term inclusive Para sport development across Europe. The event brought together National Paralympic Committees, policymakers, education stakeholders and sport organisations to strengthen governance, inclusion, cooperation and sustainable development pathways for Para sport.

Across the three-day programme, participants engaged in thematic sessions and interactive workshops addressing key areas such as law and governance, rights and regulations, sports and pedagogy, inclusion initiatives and funding, empowerment, and inclusion policies in the European Union. The programme also included networking opportunities designed to encourage cooperation and future legacy development across European Para sport.

In his presentation, Stolpmann emphasised that disability inclusion in sport should be understood as a rights-based priority connected to participation, education, health, social belonging and policy change. He highlighted the continued need for stronger data on the participation of people with disabilities in sport, recreation and physical activity, noting that policy development is often weakened when disability-disaggregated evidence is limited or absent.

He also underlined the importance of disability-led advocacy, stressing that inclusive sport initiatives must be shaped with people with disabilities and disability rights organisations, rather than only designed for them. Drawing on current discussions in adapted physical activity and disability inclusion, he pointed to the need for greater community ownership, stronger alignment between policy and practice, and long-term accountability beyond awareness-raising campaigns.

The session encouraged participants to consider practical advocacy strategies, including mapping barriers to participation, building coalitions across sport, education, health and disability sectors, translating evidence into clear policy asks, promoting disability leadership, and monitoring change over time.

Through his contribution, Patrick reinforced the importance of connecting sport policy, adapted physical activity, education and disability rights to create more inclusive and sustainable sport systems. His participation also reflected ICSSPE’s continued commitment to international cooperation, inclusive sport development, and the use of research and policy dialogue to strengthen access to sport and physical activity for all.

The Policy & Development Hubs formed part of a broader effort to ensure that the legacy of the European Para Youth Games contributes to lasting impact, expanding opportunities for young people with disabilities and promoting a more inclusive sporting culture across Türkiye and Europe.

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The event took place on 26 and 27 May 2026 at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg, France, and brought together 49 young people aged 19 to 29 from 32 member states of the Council of Europe’s Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport. Organised in conjunction with the annual joint plenary meeting of the EPAS Governing Board and Consultative Committee, the event focused on the themes of safer and healthier sport.

These topics are at the heart of the preparations for the 19th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport, which will be hosted by Monaco on 3–4 November 2026. During the event, participants exchanged experiences, ideas, and recommendations on how sport can become safer, healthier, more inclusive, and more respectful of human rights, including children’s rights.

The young participants also took part in debates and panel discussions on safer sport for children and the role of sport in improving children’s health. On 27 May, they presented their input during the joint plenary meeting of the EPAS Governing Board and Consultative Committee, ensuring that youth perspectives were included in broader policy discussions.

Reflecting on her participation, Ilenia Guddemi highlighted the value of the exchange:

“This was a very inspiring and enriching experience. The event brought together a diverse group of young people from different countries, sports, and professional backgrounds. This diversity made the discussions especially valuable, as it allowed us to exchange perspectives, broaden our understanding, and reflect on how sport can become safer, healthier, more inclusive, and more respectful of human rights.

The sessions on safer and healthier sport encouraged us to think critically about the challenges young people face in sport environments, while also giving us the opportunity to contribute ideas and recommendations for future action. Working in small groups to draft recommendations was particularly valuable, as it allowed us to combine our knowledge, experiences, and skills to develop concrete proposals.

Overall, the event was a unique opportunity to learn, exchange ideas, build connections, and contribute to an important policy process. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to take part and to bring a youth perspective into these discussions.”

By supporting Ilenia’s participation, ICSSPE underlines its commitment to strengthening youth engagement in sport policy and governance. ICSSPE recognises the importance of creating spaces where young people can share their experiences, contribute to evidence-informed discussions, and help shape safer, healthier, and more inclusive sport systems.

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The meeting brought together governmental representatives, members of the Consultative Committee, youth participants, and key stakeholders from across the European sport sector to exchange views on current priorities in sport policy and governance. As a member of the EPAS Consultative Committee, ICSSPE contributed to discussions addressing some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities in sport, including good governance, inclusive sport, safe sport, sustainability, artificial intelligence, and cooperation between the Council of Europe and the European Union.

The programme opened with a joint session of the Governing Board and Consultative Committee, including youth participants. A central focus of this session was the implementation of a “youth perspective” in sport, reflecting the importance of ensuring that young people are not only beneficiaries of sport policies, but also active contributors to their development. Delegates also discussed preparations for the 19th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport, which will take place in Monaco in November 2026.

During the meeting, elections were also held for the EPAS Consultative Committee leadership and representatives. Charlotte Girard Fabre, from the International Federation of Sport Officials (IFSO), was elected Chair, while Patrik Perosa, from the International Dance Organization (IDO), was elected Vice-Chair. James Ogilvie from UEFA, Annamarie Phelps from the European Olympic Committees (EOC), Guido Battaglia from the Centre for Sport and Human Rights (CSHR), and Marie Denitton from the European Non-Governmental Sports Organisation (ENGSO) were also elected.

Good governance featured prominently throughout the agenda, with discussions addressing the autonomy of sport, the work of the relevant EPAS working group, and the next steps in promoting transparency, integrity, and accountability within sport organisations. The meeting also included a policy debate on promoting good governance in sports organisations, providing an opportunity for delegates to exchange views on future priorities in this area.

Inclusion was another major theme of the meeting. Participants reviewed follow-up actions from the EPAS Diversity Conference 2025 and discussed preparations for the 2027 edition. The agenda also included topics such as women and girls’ participation in sport, the human rights of transgender and intersex athletes, and the inclusion of child migrants and refugees in and through sport.

The meeting further addressed developments in safe sport, including the Council of Europe’s Start to Talk initiative and the International Pool of Experts on Safe Sport. Other key topics included solidarity with Ukraine, sport conventions, online courses on child safeguarding and anti-discrimination, and the role of sport facilities in sustainability.

Artificial intelligence was also discussed in relation to sports policy, with delegates considering the potential assessment of AI tools from the perspective of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. This reflects the growing relevance of digital transformation for sport governance and policy-making.

The final sessions focused on cooperation with the European Union and ongoing EU–Council of Europe joint projects, including the Sport for All initiative where ICSSPE is also involved, equality, and the European Sport Model.

Ahead of and alongside the EPAS plenary meeting, a youth event “Youth Perspective for Safe and Healthy Sport” was held from 25–27 May 2026 at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg, in preparation for the 19th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport. ICSSPE also contributed to this process by nominating Ilenia Guddemi from Germany to take part in the youth meeting. The programme provided young participants with the opportunity to exchange views on safer and healthier sport, discuss draft inputs from EPAS, and develop expectations and recommendations to be brought forward to the Governing Board meeting. The youth participants later joined the EPAS Governing Board and Consultative Committee plenary meeting on 27 May, ensuring that their perspectives were included in the broader policy discussions.

ICSSPE’s participation in the EPAS Consultative Committee, alongside its contribution to the youth perspective process, underlines its continued commitment to supporting international dialogue, evidence-informed policy, and cross-sector cooperation in sport, physical education, and physical activity. Through its engagement, ICSSPE contributes to strengthening the role of science, education, civil society, and young people in shaping inclusive, ethical, and sustainable sport systems across Europe and beyond.

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