ICSSPE Highlights the Role of Sport Diplomacy at the 23rd Panathlon International Congress

ICSSPE’s Vice-President, Prof. Dr. Maria Beatriz Rocha Ferreira, represented the organisation at the 23rd Panathlon International Congress, held on 4–5 June 2026 in Ghent, Belgium.

 

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.