ICSSPE contributes to EPAS'S youth event on Safe and Healthy Sport

ICSSPE contributed to the youth perspective process held alongside the Annual Plenary Meeting of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS), by nominating Ilenia Guddemi from Germany to take part in the “Youth Perspective for Safe and Healthy Sport” event.

 

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.