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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The special issue, published as International Sports Studies, Volume 48, Special Issue 1, 2026, brings together a wide range of contributions exploring gender equity, inclusion, participation, leadership, and lived experiences in physical education and sport. It follows the 20th World Congress of the International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Girls and Women (IAPESGW), held in November 2025 in Cebu, Philippines, under the theme “Equity in Action: A Global Dialogue on the Advancement of Women and Girls in Physical Education and Sport Innovation.”

As an ICSSPE member, IAPESGW continues to play an important role in advancing international dialogue, research and action to ensure that women and girls have equitable access to physical education, sport and dance. Through global events, publications, webinars and collaborations with organisations such as UNESCO, the United Nations, Women Sport International and the International Working Group on Women in Sport, IAPESGW contributes to policy, practice and advocacy for gender equity in sport and physical education.

The special issue includes an editorial by Hazel Maxwell and Helena Altmann, as well as a series of review and original research articles addressing contemporary challenges and opportunities in the field. Topics covered include community-led physical activity programmes for women and girls, motivation and participation in physical education, body image and self-perception, gender equity in higher education PE, inclusive pedagogy, women coaches, gender and disability in adapted physical education, LGBTQ+ experiences, and gender differences in athlete readiness monitoring.

Across the contributions, the publication highlights the persistent inequalities that continue to shape access to and experiences of sport and physical education. It also showcases practical pathways for change, including gender-sensitive pedagogy, inclusive curricula, student-centred approaches, safer learning environments, flexible policies, community ownership and stronger institutional support.

For ICSSPE, this publication reflects the continued importance of international research collaboration and knowledge exchange in advancing inclusive and equitable sport systems. It also reinforces the valuable role of ICSSPE members such as IAPESGW in generating evidence, strengthening advocacy and supporting the global movement for gender equity in sport, physical education and physical activity.

ICSSPE warmly congratulates IAPESGW, the guest editors, authors and contributors involved in this special issue and encourages members, partners, researchers, educators and practitioners to engage with the publication and its findings.

The special issue is available for download below.

VOLUME 48 SPECIAL ISSUE 2026, Gender, PE, and Sport

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Held under the theme “University Sport in Action: Innovation, Education and Sustainability at the Heart of the Winter Universiade,” the conference will bring together researchers, practitioners, educators, sport leaders and stakeholders from across the international university sport movement. Taking place alongside the Winter Universiade, the event will provide a unique platform to exchange knowledge, explore emerging trends and discuss the future of university sport in a global context.

The 2027 edition will focus on the role of university sport as a driver of innovation, education and sustainable development. Participants will be invited to reflect on how sport within higher education can contribute to scientific progress, athlete development, intercultural understanding and long-term social impact.

The conference will address three main subthemes:

• University Sport as a Living Laboratory: Holistic Research on Ice & Snow Sports Science and Multiculturalism
• University Sport, Education and Dual Careers: Synergistic Development of Academic Education and Athletic Sports
• Future Ecosystem: Innovation-Driven and Sustainable Development of University Sport

Researchers, academics, students, practitioners and organisations working in the fields of university sport, physical education, sport science, sport policy, athlete development, sustainability and related disciplines are encouraged to submit abstracts and contribute to the conference programme.

The Changchun 2027 FISU World Conference will offer an important opportunity to advance dialogue on the future of university sport and its contribution to innovation, education and sustainability.

For more information on the abstract submission, please visit the official website here: Changchun 2027 FISU World Conference

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Ahead of the launch, KESCAB project partners held a consortium meeting to review project progress and discuss the features and functionalities of the online hub. The meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on the development process, assess the hub’s added value, and consider how it can support capacity building and knowledge exchange across the Sport for All movement.

The KESCAB Online Hub is designed as an interactive platform connecting international, European, regional and national education initiatives and strategies in Sport for All. It will provide access to training opportunities, learning resources, advisory services, and spaces for sharing knowledge, experience and good practices.

As part of the project, trainers, trainees and training-of-trainers representatives with diverse expertise in Sport for All have been recruited by the consortium. They will be trained to use the hub and to deliver courses through the platform, helping to strengthen education and capacity-building opportunities across the sector.

ICSSPE contributed to the project by leading Work Package 2, focused on scaling up the delivery of knowledge, experience sharing and capacity building in Sport for All. As part of this work, ICSSPE mapped existing capacity-building opportunities, identified gaps, and outlined potential areas for development within the KESCAB Online Hub.

You can access the KESCAB Online Hub here: KESCAB Hub

KESCAB is an Erasmus+ project led by TAFISA, with a consortium including ICSSPE, the Sports Union of Slovenia, España se Mueve, CNOSF, Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, the Knowledge Centre for Sport and Physical Activity Netherlands, the Portuguese Sports Confederation, and the Hungarian Leisure Sport Association.

Through the launch of the KESCAB Online Hub, the project takes an important step towards strengthening cooperation, learning and knowledge exchange within the Sport for All movement, supporting organisations and practitioners in building more inclusive, accessible and sustainable opportunities for participation.

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The webinar will bring together international experts, policy leaders, and practitioners to explore how sport and physical activity can contribute more effectively to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), moving beyond broad policy discussions toward practical, context-sensitive solutions.

As global recognition of sport’s role in sustainable development continues to grow, important challenges remain in translating frameworks and strategies into measurable impact across diverse socio-cultural and economic contexts. This session will examine how initiatives can be implemented, adapted, and scaled while addressing issues related to health, education, inclusion, leadership, and equity.

The discussion will feature perspectives from the World Health Organization (WHO), alongside regional experiences from Latin America, Oceania, and Africa. Through a combination of strategic reflections and practice-oriented examples, the webinar aims to identify transferable lessons and strengthen collaboration between research, policy, and practice.

Particular attention will be given to:

• The implementation of the WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity
• The contribution of sport and physical activity across multiple SDGs
• Leadership and governance in sport systems
• Cross-sector collaboration and sustainable development strategies
• Scaling programmes across different socio-economic and cultural contexts
• Building long-term and inclusive approaches to sport and physical activity development

The names of the panellists will be announced over the coming days.

Registration link is available here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/cb2b94bd-dd62-45af-b03f-258f047e4a06@64886f87-8ebc-4dfa-abe6-509d4f4c941e

We look forward to welcoming participants from across the global sport, health, education, and policy communities.

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