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MINISTERS’ DEPUTIES |
CM Documents |
CM(2025)3 |
6 January 2025[1] |
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1517th meeting, 22 January 2025 8 Youth and Sport
8.2 Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) 18th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport (Porto, Portugal, 8-10 October 2024) – Report by the Secretary General Item to be considered by the GR-C at its meeting on 21 January 2025 |
I. Introduction
Title, Dates and format of the Ministerial Conference
1. The Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport is a key political forum that facilitates multilateral dialogue on sports policy at pan-European level.
2. The title of the Conference was “Collaborative governing and good governance in sport: supporting a fresh approach to match its societal importance” and it took place in Porto, Portugal, on 9 October 2024 and was organised by the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) in co-operation with the Portuguese Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (IPDJ).
3. The Conference agenda, list of participating delegations, and adopted Resolution are provided in the Appendices to this report. Access to speakers’ addresses and the contributions made by delegations in the plenary session is available on the website of the Conference (MSL18).
4. A preparatory meeting of Senior Officials from the participating states convened on 8 October 2024. This meeting was essentially dedicated to finalising the draft resolution to be adopted by the Conference.
5. The focus on sport integrity, other key element of the Ministerial Resolution, was complemented by the important event organised on 8 October 2024 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions, also known as the Macolin Convention. During that event, the forthcoming ratification on 17 October 2024 by Spain of the Convention was announced and its imminent entry as 12th State Party highly welcomed.
6. Among the relevant international partners present in Porto, the President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Mr Witold Bańka, gave a detailed presentation to Delegations at the working ministerial lunch, regarding WADA’s work leading to the revision of the World Anti-Doping Code to be adopted at the end of 2025, a process to which the Council of Europe contributes extensively.
7. Focus sessions were held on 10 October 2024 in the morning on “leadership through gender equality in sport & dual career: effective strategies and future directions”.
Themes
8. The Conference comprised two core themes highly relevant and topical to sport policies and ecosystem:
- Collaborative Governing; and
- Good Governance.
Participants
9. The Conference was attended by 114 delegates from 45 States, including 22 participants at Minister, Vice-Minister, or Secretary of State level, alongside 28 representatives from 21 partner sports organisations and NGOs, and 17 invited speakers. Representatives included heads of sports federations, Olympic and Paralympic committees, and youth advocates.
II. Proceedings
Opening
10. The Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr Bjørn Berge, delivered the opening address. He recalled the summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games which constituted an excellent reaffirmation of the power of sport to unite. The Conference acted as a privileged opportunity to build on this momentum and to continue positive strides in sport governance. He highlighted that the autonomy enjoyed by sport organisations to operate, innovate and grow should coexist with fair, inclusive, and transparent governance structures, in order for sport to address the complex challenges ahead (excessive commercialisation, corruption or lack of transparency). He underlined the European Sports Charter as a key reference, offering a comprehensive framework of principles and standards for national sport policies to benefit from governmental and non-governmental inputs in delivering sport for all. He also highlighted IPACS, the International Partnership Against Corruption in Sport, and the Council of Europe’s role, through EPAS, as a founding partner and co-ordinator of the work on good governance. Finally, he mentioned the MARS Network of magistrates and prosecutors responsible for sport, established by EPAS, as a unique instrument to enhance international co-operation and address sport integrity issues.
11. Mr Pedro Duarte, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs responsible for Sport, expressed Portugal’s complete dedication to sport governance, stating its commitment to creating policies that ensure transparency, inclusivity and ethical practices. Among key Portuguese legislative priorities, he outlined the enforcement of laws making mandatory the equal representation of men and women in sport governance bodies, the strengthening of preventative measures, oversight, and monitoring to fight doping and match-fixing, as well as a number of initiatives that merge high-performance sports training with education, offering dual-career pathways, and the programmes to make sports facilities accessible across Portugal, as part of the “Sport for All” initiatives, led by the Portuguese Institute for Sport and Youth. He also welcomed Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia’s bid for 2027 World Capital of Sport.
12. Ms Linda Hofstad Helleland, Chairperson of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, acknowledging the progress made, called for public authorities and the sports movement to be more ambitious, coherent and rigorous in enforcing good governance standards in sport. She addressed the variety of challenges for sport to remain safe and clean, recalling the Council of Europe’s instrumental role in addressing the challenges with which sport is confronted. She welcomed the updating of existing standards such as the recommendations on good governance and on the principle of autonomy of sport, and pointed to PACE Resolution 2199 (2018) “Towards a framework for modern sports governance” which notably called for the Council of Europe to draft a Convention on good governance and for the setting-up of an independent ethics rating system led by a global multi-stakeholder platform. She finally stressed the importance of open dialogue across public authorities, sports communities and private entities, and the role of the new PACE Parliamentary alliance for Good Governance and Integrity in Sport.
Spotlight on the European Sports Charter
13. Mr Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), celebrated in his video address the Olympic unity and neutrality as critical in a divided world. He also stressed the IOC’s commitment to integrity, transparency, and inclusion, noting the alignment with the principles of the European Sports Charter.
14. Mr Pedro Duarte, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs responsible for Sport, Portugal, stressed Portugal’s commitment to universal access to sport and ethical sports policies, fully corresponding to the European Sports Charter’s inclusivity goals.
15. Mr Raymon Blondel, President of the European Paralympic Committee, highlighted the Paralympic philosophy of focusing on abilities, stressing the need for an integrated sport model across Europe.
16. Mr Morten Schmidt, Global Director of Programmes and Grants, Laureus Sport for Good, shared insights on evidence-based sports impact, urging flexibility in policies to address youth and community needs.
17. Mr Benny Bonsu, Director of Daily Content at the Olympic Channel Services, emphasised the crucial role of media and content creation in shaping the narrative around sport governance. She highlighted the need for transparency, diversity, and inclusion in sports media to reflect and promote the values enshrined in the European Sports Charter.
18. Ms Gévrise Emane, Lifestyle Athletes Manager, National Institute for Sport, Expertise and Performance (INSEP), France, reflected on judo values and sports ethics from her experience, advocating for fair play, integrity, and inclusivity in sports at all levels.
19. A new European Sports Charter video presented the transformative impact of sports in fostering inclusivity, ethical standards, and unity. It reaffirmed the Charter’s objective: making sport accessible, fair, and safe, highlighting its role in building healthier societies.
Adoption of the agenda - Election of the chair and vice chair
18. The agenda, as presented, was adopted. Nominated as Chair of the Conference was Mr Pedro Dias for Portugal and as vice-Chair of the Conference, Mr Lionel Beffre, Minister of the Interior, responsible for sport, representing Monaco (host of the 19th Ministerial Conference in 2026).
Session 1 – Collaborative governing: time to adapt the rules of the game?
19. Mr Gil Avérous, Minister for Sports, Youth and Non-Profit organisations, France, shared his experience as host of the shooting competition in the Olympics and Paralympics in his municipality of Chateauroux, emphasising the role of local authorities in sport governing. He acknowledged the decentralisation efforts in France and praised the creation of the National Sports Agency in 2019 to streamline co-operation among the Ministry of Sport, sports organisations, local authorities, and the social-economic sector. He noted the need for inter-ministerial co-ordination to manage transport, security, and event organisation effectively. He highlighted the role of 40,000 volunteers in the Olympics, stressing the importance of volunteer-driven sport governance. Finally, he proposed exploring a European sports law codification for a more structured governance approach.
20. Ms Maja Włoszczowska, representative of the WADA Athlete Council, recalling the need for robust governance and emphasised the benefits of athletes’ participation in WADA’s governance. She called for greater collaboration among governments, athletes, and sports organisations to create a doping-free environment.
21. Ms Cécile Chaussard, specialist in sports law and senior lecturer in law, University of Bourgogne, France, highlighted the evolution of sports as a societal activity, with diverse practices beyond competition, impacting health, education, and culture. She advocated for co-operative governing, involving federal sport movements, governments, and the Olympic movement. She outlined essential principles including stakeholder participation, informed decision-making, and sustainability. She called for mutual trust and exploiting the shared objectives of sport movement and public authorities in sport governance. Finally, she urged all stakeholders to work collaboratively to maximise sports' social and educational benefits.
22. 15 delegations (Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, Holy See, Iceland, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Spain, Türkiye and United Kingdom) and four sport organisations (EU Athletes/EAPA, EUPEA, ISCA and SROC) made contributions to the discussions on the subject, highlighting that the success of collaborative governing relies on the active participation and buy-in of all actors.
Session 2 – Good Governance: Moving the Goal Post Forwards?
23. Ms Dominique Hasler, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport, Liechtenstein, presented Liechtenstein’s 2018 initiative to democratise sport governance, shifting to a self-governing, bottom-up approach led by the public and sport federations. Liechtenstein also introduced a programme where athletes, particularly those in niche sports, can apply for state-funded employment to ensure basic income, social security, and career continuity. She finally noted the allocation of additional resources to tackle issues such as match-fixing, illegal gambling, and athlete exploitation, embedding these priorities within Liechtenstein’s sport ecosystem.
24. Mr James Carr, Deputy Executive Director, Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) noted the progress with the 50 governance indicators for international federations, targeting transparency, integrity, democracy, development, and sustainability. He highlighted improvements, such as term limits and financial transparency, now widely adopted among federations. He acknowledged IPACS’s role in establishing international good governance benchmarks, emphasising the value of sharing best practices globally. He urged the Council of Europe to further governance efforts at national levels, emphasising continued collaboration between governments and the sport movement.
25. Mr Marko Begović, Associate Professor, Molde University College, Norway, advocated for adaptive, democratic sporting environments, emphasising integrity, fairness, and inclusiveness. He stressed the importance of athletes’ inclusion in decision-making. He emphasised the persistence of corruption, commercial pressures, and abuse, calling for robust anti-corruption frameworks and effective whistleblower protections.
26. 13 delegations (Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Italy, Monaco, Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Ukraine), and six Sports Organisations (Centre for Sport and Human Rights, Play The Game, Rugby Europe, European Olympic Committee, European Paralympic Committee, and FIFA) made contributions to the discussions on Good Governance, illustrating that governance structures and practices differ significantly across national contexts and sport organisations, each shaped by unique cultural, political, and organisational dynamics.
Ukrainian sport during the war
27. Mr Matvii Bidnyi, Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, emphasised how the war severely disrupted training and competition, impacting both grassroots and elite athletes, with over 500 Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed and 523 sports facilities destroyed. He introduced a photo exhibition reflecting the devastation of Ukrainian sports facilities and the perseverance of athletes despite these hardships. He finally reaffirmed that war actions warranted continued exclusion of Russian and Belarussian athletes from international sport until peace is restored.
28. Ms Yaroslava Mahuchikh, World and Olympic Champion in athletics, described the destruction of her training school in Dnipro, and the broader devastation of Ukraine affecting countless future athletes and sports infrastructure. She expressed a desire for peace and the chance to train at home under a safe Ukrainian sky.
The Youth Initiative Roundtable – “Champions for Youth in Sports”
29. The Youth Initiative Roundtable “Champions for Youth in Sports”, was a key feature of the 18th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport. It marked the first participation and involvement of youth delegates in a Sport Ministerial conference. Youth delegates were given a dedicated platform to voice their perspectives during the ministerial conference, reflecting a growing emphasis on youth participation and co-management in sports policy and the role of sport in fostering inclusivity and societal development.
30. Ms Charlotte Girard-Fabre, in her capacity of Chair of the Consultative Committee of EPAS highlighted the role of this instance as a crossroads for expertise and a platform for sharing best practices in governance. She acknowledged that youth perspectives introduce dynamism, openness, and innovation to governance processes. She called for continuous two-way communication between youth and governance bodies, emphasising that collaboration with youth is essential for shaping governance that mirrors societal aspirations.
31. Mr Maurizio Cuttin, Member of the Bureau of the Advisory Council on Youth of the Council of Europe, outlined the unique co-management approach of the Council of Europe’s Youth sector, where youth leaders participate equally with member states in policy development and scrutiny. This ensures that youth are not only heard but are integral to the decision-making process.
32. The Youth representatives shared their insights from participating in the conference and observing the collaborative dynamics of the Council of Europe and EPAS. They described it as a transformative experience, shedding light on the Council of Europe’s commitment to youth inclusion. They advocated for transnational co-operation to address pressing social issues through sport, particularly focusing on gender equality and disability inclusion and highlighting EPAS’ initiatives aimed at fostering inclusion and combating discrimination as impactful strategies. They referred to the “Ladder of Participation” framework, urging governments and organisations to aim for the highest levels of youth involvement.
33. The session concluded by acknowledging the importance of making youth voices a lasting component of governance and treating youth as active participants, not passive beneficiaries, in shaping the future of sport.
Closing session
34. The Secretariat presented the latest amendments made to the draft resolution, which include specific footnotes reflecting the positions of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Serbia, Slovak Republic and Türkiye.
35. The Resolution on “collaborative governing and good governance in sport: supporting a fresh approach to match its societal importance” was adopted by the 18th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport.
36. Mr Gianluca Esposito, Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law at the Council of Europe emphasised in the context of the principle of the autonomy of sport the need for collaborative governing, stressing that sports organisations must operate inclusively. He commended the importance of sport integrity, referencing the Macolin Convention, the tenth anniversary of which was marked on the eve of the Ministerial session, as well as the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption efforts.
37. Ms Aistė Zedelytė-Kaminskė, Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Sport, Lithuania, representing the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe reaffirmed Lithuania’s commitment to advancing human rights, democracy, and the rule of law within sports governance.
38. Mr Alexandre Husting, Chair of the Governing Board of EPAS, reiterated the importance of inclusivity and ethical governance in sport, calling for youth empowerment in decision-making. He furthermore advocated for expanded membership in EPAS and encouraged non-member countries to join.
39. Ms Charlotte Girard-Fabre, Chair of the Consultative Committee of EPAS, called for participatory and inclusive approaches to governance that integrate diverse voices from civil society and urged sport organisations to adopt ethical frameworks that prioritise transparency, accountability, and social responsibility.
40. Mr Pedro Dias, Secretary of State for Sport of Portugal, closed the Conference, emphasising the importance of the Resolution adopted and the need for continued governance reform and ethical frameworks in sport. He also stressed the relevance of the two topics of the focus sessions held on
10 October 2024, on gender equality and on dual career.
III. Outcomes and prospects
41. The Ministerial Conference brought together speakers of the highest level, including ministers and other government representatives from over 45 States, international organisations, sport organisations, civil society, youth delegates, media representatives, etc.
42. The Committee of Ministers is invited to take note of the Resolution adopted by the Conference (in Appendix 3) which reaffirms the instrumental role that sport has in our societies, in transmitting essential values and realising the objectives which underpin the European Sports Charter. The Resolution was shared with the Council of Europe’s competent bodies, notably the Sports Convention Committees, in order for them to take it into account when planning their respective activities.
43. The Resolution highlights that, in light of the societal benefits of sport, the latter has to be promoted as a common resource, fostering its social, health and educational role and preserving it for future generations. The Resolution provides guidance on collaborative governing and good governance in sport, which notably implies that States and Sport organisations have to maintain a continuous dialogue with athletes, local clubs, concerned youth representatives and civil society, recognising them as instrumental partners in promoting values-based sport.
44. The Committee of Ministers could consider as apposite follow-up to this Resolution to:
- examine, where appropriate and based on EPAS’ examination of the opportunity to revise the recommendation on the promotion of good governance in sport (CM/Rec(2018)12) and the recommendation on the principle of autonomy of sport in Europe (CM/Rec(2011)3), new draft recommendations on those topics for possible adoption by the Committee of Ministers;
- encourage member States to put into practice the European Sports Charter and to benefit from the support and follow-up mechanism developed by EPAS (new methodology for assessing its implementation at national level), including in respect of collaborative governing and good governance in sport);
- invite member States to promote at national level, as well as in bilateral and multilateral relations, the Council of Europe’s unique legal framework and structures in the field of sport as notably outlined in the “Council of Europe and Sport Strategic Priorities for 2022-2025” and support the preparation of the next strategic priorities for the Organisation, entrusting its competent Group of Rapporteurs with the organisation of yearly exchanges on sport priorities with CAHAMA, T-MC,
T-S4, T-DO, EPAS and interested stakeholders;
- encourage member States to draw inspiration from the outcomes of the work carried out in the framework of the joint European Union-Council of Europe project “All In Plus – promoting greater gender equality in sport” (March 2023-March 2025), which focusses on highlighting the benefits of greater gender equality in sport and is based on three pillars of work: collecting comparable data using a series of key indicators, creating a best practice online resource centre, and sensitising the media to the importance of greater equality in sport;
- invite member States which have not yet done so to join EPAS to maximise the impact and outreach of EPAS policy decisions, across Europe and beyond.
45. The follow-up to be given by EPAS (as appropriate, by its Governing Board, Consultative Committee, International Network of Magistrates and Prosecutors Responsible for Sport (MARS) or Pool of International Experts on Safe Sport) could notably include:
- examining the recommendation on the promotion of good governance in sport (CM/Rec(2018)12) and the recommendation on the principle of autonomy of sport in Europe (CM/Rec(2011)3) with a view to assessing the opportunity of revising and updating those instruments, and where appropriate preparing new draft recommendations on those topics for possible adoption by the Committee of Ministers;
- supporting the sharing of best practices on collaborative governing and good governance in sport, including mechanisms that guarantee transparency and accountability within the sports movement, while safeguarding the rights of all involved in sport; through its dedicated online tool compiling best practices;
- fostering a culture of good governance through educational initiatives, communication campaigns, exchange of best practices and preventive measures, integration of evaluation and impact assessment methodologies in sport investment strategies; notably by supporting the implementation of the European Sport Charter in EPAS member States, in particular in respect of its dimensions touching upon good governance and a multistakeholder approach;
- further contributing to the dialogue between public authorities and sport organisations on good governance in the context of the IPACS;
- reinforcing the meaningful participation of youth in the work and activities of EPAS.
46. The Council of Europe thanks the Portuguese authorities for having co‑organised this important Conference with EPAS and for the warm welcome extended to all participants.
Appendix 1
Agenda
Venue: Alfândega Congress Centre, R. Nova da Alfândega, Porto, Portugal
Tuesday 8 October 2024
9.00am - 12.30pm 10th Anniversary of the Macolin Convention
(for the full programme, see document MSL18(2024)10)
9.00am-9.45am Setting the scene
Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General, Council of Europe
Pedro Dias, Secretary of State for Sport, Portugal
André Villas Boas, President of FC Porto
Pâquerette Girard Zapelli, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, IOC
George Mavrotas, Chair of the Follow-up Committee of the Macolin Convention and Secretary General of Sport, Greece
9.45am-10.30am Major Achievements over the past decade
Cláudia Cruz Santos, Academic professor, University of Coimbra, Portugal
Jean-Luc Moner-Banet, General director, Lotterie Romande,
Madalina Diaconu, Professor, University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Guy Reinenbergh, National coordinator sports fraud, Federal Police, Belgium
Vincent Ven, Head of Anti-Match-Fixing, UEFA
10.30am - 10.45am Coffee break
10.45am - 11.45am Obstacles faced and challenges overcome
Corentin Segalen, Chair of the Group of Copenhagen and Coordinator of the National Platform, France
Luca Esposito, General director, World Lottery Association and General Secretary, ULIS
Philippe Auclair, Investigative journalist
Valentin Ramognino, Lawyer
Francisco Portugal, Criminal Intelligence Officer, INTERPOL
11.45am - 12.30pm Future perspectives and emerging opportunities
Younes El Mechrafi, General manager, La Marocaine des Jeux et des Sports, Morocco
Graciela Garay, Director of ethics and compliance, CONMEBOL
Christian Kalb, Independent expert
Friedrich Martens, Head of OM Unit PMC, IOC
George Mavrotas, Chair of the Follow-up Committee of the Macolin Convention and Secretary General of Sport, Greece
1.00pm - 2.00pm Lunch/Buffet offered by the Portuguese authorities
2.00pm - 4.00pm Meeting of Senior Officials
See Agenda (MSL18(2024)7)
Participants: Representatives of the 46 Council of Europe member States, EPAS non-Council of Europe member States (Israel, Morocco), Holy See and Kazakhstan, who are Advisers to their Ministers or Heads of Delegation (one representative per delegation)
(Tuesday 8 October 2024, continued)
2.30pm - 4.00pm Meeting of the EPAS Consultative Committee
5.30pm - 6.30pm Restricted ministerial gathering of EPAS member States
Update on EPAS’ working priorities
Welcoming addresses by:
Gianluca Esposito, Director General for Human Rights and the Rule of Law, Council of Europe
Pedro Dias, Secretary of State for Sport, Portugal
Alexandre Husting, Chair of the EPAS Governing Board
Participants: Ministers/Heads of delegations from EPAS member States only
8.00pm - 10.30pm Dinner - Porto Leixões Cruise Terminal, Matosinhos
Wednesday 9 October 2024
9.00am - 9.30am Opening of the Conference
Welcoming addresses by:
Pedro Duarte, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs responsible for Sport, Portugal
Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General, Council of Europe
Linda Hofstad Helleland, Chairperson of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media of the Parliamentary Assembly, Council of Europe
9.30am - 10.00am SPOTLIGHT ON THE EUROPEAN SPORTS CHARTER
Video address by Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, Olympic Champion in Fencing
Panel on the European Sports Charter
Pedro Duarte, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs responsible for Sport, Portugal
Raymon Blondel, President, European Paralympic Committee
Benny Bonsu, Director of Daily Content at Olympic Channel Services (OCS)
Morten Schmidt, Global Director of Programmes and Grants, Laureus Sport for Good
Gévrise Emane, Lifestyle Athletes Manager, National Institute for Sport, Expertise and Performance (INSEP), France
Video on the European Sports Charter
10.00am - 10.20am Coffee break
10.00am - 10.20am Press point
10.20am - 10.30am Adoption of the Agenda
Election of the Chair and Vice Chair
10.30am - 12.30pm Session 1 – Collaborative Governing:
Time to Adapt the Rules of the Game?
10.30am - 10:45am Introductions by:
Gil Avérous, Minister for Sports, Youth and Non-Profit organisations, France
Maja Włoszczowska, WADA Athlete Council
Cécile Chaussard, Specialist in sports law and senior lecturer in law, University of Bourgogne, France
10.45am - 12.30pm Discussion
12.30pm - 12.45pm Family photo of the Ministers and Heads of Delegations
12.45pm - 2.15pm Lunch for the Ministers and Heads of Delegation hosted by the Council of Europe – Speeches by Bjørn Berge, Council of Europe’s Deputy Secretary General, and Witold Bańka, President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
Lunch/Buffet for delegations offered by the Portuguese authorities
2.15pm - 4.15pm Session 2 – Good Governance:
Moving the Goal Post Forwards?
2.15pm - 2:30pm Introductions by:
Dominique Hasler, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport, Liechtenstein
James Carr, Deputy Executive Director, ASOIF
Marko Begović, Associate Professor, Molde University College, Norway
2.30pm - 4.15pm Discussion
4.15pm - 4.30pm Ukrainian sport during the war
Matvii Bidnyi, Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine
Yaroslava Mahuchikh, World and Olympic Champion in athletics
4.30pm - 4.45pm Press point
4.30pm - 4.45pm Coffee break
4.45pm - 5.15pm Youth Initiative – roundtable:
“Champions for Youth in Sports”
Charlotte Girard Fabre, Chair of the EPAS Consultative Committee
Maurizio Cuttin, Member of the Bureau of the Advisory Council on Youth of the Council of Europe
Youth delegates
5.15pm - 6.15pm Closing session
5.15pm - 5.30pm Adoption of the resolution
5.30pm - 6.15pm Closing speeches by:
Gianluca Esposito, Director General for Human Rights and the Rule of Law, Council of Europe
Aistė Zedelytė-Kaminskė, Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Sport, Lithuania, representing the Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe
Alexandre Husting, Chair of the EPAS Governing Board
Charlotte Girard Fabre, Chair of the EPAS Consultative Committee
Pedro Dias, Secretary of State for Sport, Portugal
8.00pm - 10.30pm Gala Dinner hosted by the Portuguese authorities (São Bento da Vitória Monastery)
Thursday 10 October 2024 (morning only)
Focus sessions on leadership through gender equality in sport & dual career: effective strategies and future directions
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9.00am - 9.30am 9.30am – 9.40am 9.40am – 9.50am 9.50am – 10.00am 10.00am – 10.45am 10.45am – 11.00am 11.00am - 11.20am 11.00am - 11.20am 11.20am – 11.35am 11.35am – 12.40pm 12.40pm – 12.50pm 12.50pm – 1.00pm |
Welcome/Registration Opening words Gianluca Esposito, Director General for Human Rights and the Rule of Law, Council of Europe Pedro Dias, Secretary of State for Sport, Portugal Focus session on gender equality Keynote presentation Annamarie Phelps, Chair of the UK Secretariat, Co-Chair of the Global Executive, International Working Group on Women & Sport (IWG) Questions and answers Solutions to greater leadership for women in sport: overcoming barriers and building bridges Moderated by Francine Hetherington Raveney, Deputy Executive Secretary of EPAS Paoline Ekambi, President and Co-founder of Sportail Community and Ex Captain of the French Basketball team Annamarie Phelps, Chair of the UK Secretariat, Co-Chair of the Global Executive, International Working Group on Women & Sport (IWG) Ticha Penicheiro, former professional player, Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) André Seabra, Director of the Portugal Football School
Questions and answers Press point Coffee break Exhibition - New Leaders Programme - Portugal: "For a More Equal Sport" Focus session on dual career Keynote presentation Victor Pardal, National Coordinator of the High-Performance Sports Units in School, Portugal Navigating dual career in sport: Proven Strategies and Future Pathways Moderated by Laura Capranica, European Athlete Student (EAS) Duarte Nuno Fernandes Lopes, Expert on dual career, Chief of Staff, Secretary of State for Sport, Portugal Gévrise Emane, Lifestyle Athletes Manager, National Institute for Sport, Expertise and Performance (INSEP), France Sofia Ramalho, SLBenfica Basketball Female Team Manager, alumna of the International Basketball Federation’s (FIBA) Time Out 2.0 project Andrej Pisl, Communications & Project Manager, European University Sports Association (EUSA) Andy Criere Martin, Professional Surfer, Spain Questions and answers Closing words Sophie Kwasny, Head of the Council of Europe’s Sport Division, Executive Secretary of EPAS |
Appendix 2
List of Participants
COUNCIL OF EUROPE MEMBER STATES, EPAS NON-COUNCIL OF EUROPE MEMBER STATES,
EUROPEAN CULTURAL CONVENTION PARTIES NON-COUNCIL OF EUROPE MEMBER STATES
ÉTATS MEMBRES DU CONSEIL DE L'EUROPE, MEMBRES DE L'EPAS ÉTATS NON-MEMBRES DU CONSEIL DE L'EUROPE, ÉTATS PARTIES À LA CONVENTION CULTURELLE EUROPÉENNE
NON-MEMBRES DU CONSEIL DE L'EUROPE
Albania / Albanie
Endrit Hoxha
Ministry of Education and Sports
Deputy Minister
Endri Bushati
Ministry of Education and Sports
Sports Director
Andorra / Andorre
Mònica Bonell Tuset
Government of Andorra
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports
Karina Nobre Madureira
Embassy of the Principality of Andorra to the Portuguese Republic
Chargée d’affaires a. i.
Armenia / Arménie
Karen Giloyan
Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport
Deputy Minister
Khoren Zargaryan
Sports Management Center CJSC
Director
Austria / Autriche
Philipp Trattner
Austrian Ministry for Sports
Director General
Claus Farnberger
Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport
Department II/2 – EU and International Sport Affairs
Lena Weiß
Austrian Ministry for Sports
Advisor
Azerbaijan / Azerbaïdjan
Elnur Mammadov
Ministry of Youth and Sport
Director of Sport Department
Belgium / Belgique
François TRICARICO
Ministère de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles / Direction des Relations internationales
Directeur
Bulgaria / Bulgarie
Georgi Glushkov
Ministry of Youth and Sports
Minister
Lorentso KARO
Ministry of Youth and Sports
Head of International Cooperation Department
Croatia / Croatie
Josip PAVIĆ
Ministry of Tourism and Sport
State Secretary
Petra MLAČAK ROSIĆ
Ministry of Tourism and Sport
Head of Cabinet of the Minister
Roberta Karadža
Ministry of Tourism and Sport
Senior Adviser Specialist
Damir Šegota
Croatian Olympic Committee
Director of the Olympic Programme Office
Cyprus / Chypre
Vasos Koutsioundas
Cyprus Sports Organisation
Head of Finance
Ioanna PARASKEVOPOULOU
Cyprus Sport Organisation
European and International Affairs Officer
Member of the EPAS Governing Board Bureau
Czech Republic / République tchèque
Jaroslav Miller
Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport
Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Sport
Brandys Roman
National Sports Agency
Deputy Chairman
Tomas FIBEK
National Sports Agency
Senior Policy Officer
Estonia / Estonie
Tarvi PŰRN
Ministry of Culture
Under-Secretary for Sport
Finland / Finlande
Tiina KIVISAARI
Ministry of Education and Culture
Director
Satu HEIKKINEN
Ministry of Education and Culture
Senior Ministerial Adviser
France
Gil Avérous
Ministère des Sports, de la Jeunesse et de la Vie Associative
Ministre des Sports, de la Jeunesse et de la Vie Associative
Felix Meysen
Ministère des Sports, de la Jeunesse et de la Vie Associative
Chef de Cabinet
Solène CHARUAU
Ministère des Sports, de la Jeunesse et de la Vie Associative
Cheffe de la Mission des Affaires Européennes et Internationales
Membre du Bureau du Comité de Direction de l’APES
Aurel Treizenem
Ambassade de France au Portugal
Conseiller politique
Germany / Allemagne
Torsten WEIDEN
Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community
Policy Officer
Greece / Grèce
Ioannis Vroutsis
Ministry of Education Religion and Sport
Alternate Minister of Sport
Maria Paganelli
Ministry of Education Religion and Sport
Advisor to the Minister
Gregorios Leon
Govenor of HADA (Antidoping Agency)
Holy See / Saint Siège
Ivo Scapolo
Apostolic Nuntiature in Portugal
Nuntius/Ambassador of Holy See
José Miguel Fraga Cardoso
Dicastery of Culture and Education
Official
Hungary / Hongrie
Lajos Berkó
State Secretariat for Sport
Head of Cabinet
Ákos Reinhardt
State Secretariat for Sport
Head of Department of Sport Governance
Iceland / Islande
Örvar ÓLAFSSON
Ministry of Education and Children
Senior Advisor
Ireland / Irlande
Sean O’Connor
Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Assistant Principal
Neill Fitzgerald
Irish Permanent Representation of Ireland to the Council of Europe
Policy Officer
Italy / Italie
Andrea Abodi
Ministry of Sport and Youth
Minister of Sport and Youth
Cristiano Musillo
Ministry of Sport and Youth
Diplomatic Counselor to the Minister of Sport and Youth
Antonio Parrilla
Sport's department
Unit for Communication, International Activities, Studies and Research
Simone Salvatore
Embassy of Italy in Portugal
Primeiro Secretário Comercial e Chefe da Chancelaria Consular da Embaixada de Itália
Latvia / Lettonie
Maija Zvirbule
Permanent Representation of the Republic of Latvia to the European Union
Counsellor for Education, Youth, Sports
Liechtenstein
Dominique Hasler
Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport
Thomas Lageder
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport
Sport Adviser
Lithuania / Lituanie
Aiste Zedelytė-Kaminskė
Ministry of Education, Science and Sport
Vice-Minister of Education, Science and Sport
Sigitas STASIULIS
Ministry of Education, Science and Sport
Chief Specialist, International Co-operation Group
Ilona Šimkunaitė
Ministry of Education, Science and Sport
Senior Adviser, Sport Unit
Luxembourg
Alexandre HUSTING
Ministry of Sport
Adviser EU and International Affairs
Chair of the EPAS Governing Board
Malta / Malte
Josianne Farrugia
Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation
Director EU, International Relations and Policy Development, Education, Strategy and Quality Assurance Department
Republic of Moldova / République de Moldova
Cristina Burian
Embassy of the Republic of Moldova to the Portuguese Republic
Counsellor
Monaco
Lionel Beffre
Département de l'Intérieur - Ministère d'État
Ministre de l'Intérieur en Charge des Sports
Florian Botto
Département des Relations Extérieures et de la Coopération
Premier Secrétaire
Ninon Dana-Hattab
Département des Relations Extérieures et de la Coopération
Cheffe de Bureau
Gabriel REVEL
Représentation permanente de la Principauté de Monaco auprès du Conseil de l’Europe
Représentant permanent
Morocco / Maroc
Youness Mechrafi
La Marocaine des Jeux
Directeur Général
Khalid NAILI
La Marocaine des Jeux
Expert auprès du ministère de l'Education nationale, du préscolaire et du sport
Netherlands / Pays-Bas
Miranda Vroom
Ministry of Health, Welfare & Sports
Deputy Director of The Sports and Physical Activity Department
Guido van Reeken
Ministry of Health, Welfare & Sports
Policy Officer International Sport Affairs
North Macedonia / Macédoine du Nord
Lazar Popovski
Ministry of Sport
Chief of the Cabinet
Irena Blazhevska
Ministry of Sport
Special Adviser to the Minister of Sport
Norway / Norvège
Trond GLASSER
Ministry of Culture and Equality
Director of International Relations
Poland / Pologne
Sławomir Nitras
Ministry of Sport and Tourism
Minister of Sport and Tourism
Joanna Żukowska-Easton
Ministry of Sport and Tourism
Director of the Department of International Cooperation
Marcelina Zapała
Ministry of Sport and Tourism
Counsellor
Portugal
Pedro Duarte
Ministry for Parliamentary Affairs
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs responsible for Sport
Pedro Dias
Ministry for Parliamentary Affairs
Secretary of State for Sport
Ricardo Gonçalves
Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (IPDJ)
Presidente
Carla Silva
Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (IPDJ)
Vogal Conselho Diretivo
Filipa Cavalleri
Cabinet of the Secretary of State for Sports
Member of the EPAS Governing Board Bureau
Adjunta
Duarte Lopes
Ministry for Parliamentary Affairs
Chief of Staff
Gilberto JERÓNIMO
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Permanent Representative of Portugal to the Council of Europe
San Marino / Saint-Marin
Rossano Fabbri
Ministry of Sport
Minister
Greta Cola
Ministry of Sport
Assistant to the Minister
Eros Bologna
Sammarinese National Olympic Committee
Secretary General
Serbia / Serbie
Marko Keselj
Ministry of Sports
State Secretary
Dragan Atanasov
Ministry of Sports
Marija Petronijevic
Ministry of Sports
Slovak Republic / République slovaque
Ján Krišanda
Ministry of Tourism and Sports
State Secretary
Magdaléna Danihelová
Ministry of Tourism and Sports
Director General, Section of Sport Financing and Sport Policy
Miloš Tomáš
Ministry of Tourism and Sports
Director General, Sport Section
Michaela Mlynarčíková
Ministry of Tourism and Sports
Director
Slovenia / Slovénie
Dejan Plastovski
Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport
Director General
Luka Živić
Permanent Representation of the Republic of Slovenia to the European Union
Spain / Espagne
Fernando Molinero
Consejo Superior de Deportes - High Council for Sport
Director General of Sports
Juan Martorell Aroca
Consejo Superior de Deportes - High Council for Sport
Deputy Head of the Cabinet
Raúl Rodríguez
Consejo Superior de Deportes - High Council for Sport
Deputy Director of Legal Regime
Sweden / Suède
Marcus Hellqvist
Ministry of Health and Social Affairs
Deputy Director
Dan Korhonen
Swedish Sports Confederation
Integrity Officer
Switzerland / Suisse
Sandra Felix
Federal Office of Sports
Deputy Director
Pascal Chatelain
Federal Office of Sports
Head of International Affairs
Wilhelm Rauch
Federal Office of Sport
Head of Legal Department
Türkiye
Osman Aşkın Bak
Ministry of Youth and Sports
Minister
Ahmet Ali Temurci
Ministry of Youth and Sports
General Director
Mustafa Barış Öztürk
Ministry of Youth and Sports
Head of Department
Kerim Çomoğlu
Ministry of Youth and Sports
Head of Department
Melahat Bildiren Çucu
Ministry of Youth and Sports
General Directorate of International Organizations and Foreign Relations
Ukraine
Matvii Bidnyi
Ministry of Youth and Sports
Minister
Viktoriia Riasna
Ministry of Youth and Sports
Deputy Minister for European Integration
Nataliia Radchuk
Ministry of Youth and Sports
Head of Department for International Cooperation and European Integration
Dnytro Panko
Ministry of Youth and Sports
Head of Legal Department
Oleksii Perevezentsev
National Olympic Committee
First Vice President
United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni
Laura Denison
Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS)
Head of Elite Sport, Women's Sport and International
Nadia Hashmi
UK Delegation to the Council of Europe
Deputy Permanent Representative
REPRESENTATIVES OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE INSTITUTIONS
REPRESENTANTS D’INSTITUTIONS DU CONSEIL DE L’EUROPE
Secretariat General / Secrétariat Général
Bjørn BERGE, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe / Secrétaire Général Adjoint du Conseil de l’Europe
Committee of Ministers / Comité des Ministres
Aiste Zedelytė-Kaminskė, Vice-Minister of Education, Science and Sport of Lithuania
Parliamentary Assembly / Assemblée Parlementaire
Linda Hofstad HELLELAND (Norway, EPP/CD), Chair of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media
Mogens Jensen, Folketinget (Parliament of Denmark)
sport conventions COMMITTEES
COMITES des conventions DU SPORT
Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions / Convention sur la manipulation de compétitions sportives (T-MC)
George MAVROTAS, President of the Macolin Follow up Committee
Convention on an Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports Events / Convention sur une approche intégrée de la sécurité, de la sûreté et des services lors des matches de football et autres manifestations sportives (T-S4)
Rodrigo Cavaleiro, Vice-chair of the Committee on Safety and Security at Sports Events
YOUTH REPRESENTAIVES
REPRESENTANTS DE LA JEUNESSE
Bulgaria / Bulgarie
Nora Angelova
Ireland / Irlande
Megan Ronan
Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Public and Government Affairs Manager
San Marino / Saint-Marin
Francesco Sansovini
San Marino Athletics Federation
Athlete
Sweden / Suède
Amber Widegren
Swedish Sports Confederation
Türkiye / Türkiye
Kasım Kalayci
Ministry of Youth and Sports
Volunteer
Ukraine
Yaroslava Mahuchikh
Ministry of Education and Sport
World and Olympic Champion in athletics
United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni
Sara Yasin
Youth Sport Trust
Member of the Youth Board
European Non-Governmental Sports Organisation / Organisation européenne non gouvernementale des sports (ENGSO)
Ugne Chmeliauskaite
Chair of ENGSO Youth
European University Sports Association (EUSA)
Klea Taipllari
Executive Committee Member
Centre for Sport and Human Rights / Centre pour le Sport et les Droits de l'Homme
Marie Porchet
Programmes and Partnerships Coordinator
Play the Game
Nathalie Zahle
Junior Analyst
Rugby Europe
Antoine Spillmann
Finance & Corporate Intern
International Sport and Culture Association / Association Internationale du Sport et de la Culture (ISCA)
Mariana Saldanha
Youth Worker
SPORTS MOVEMENT AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN SPORT
MOUVEMENT SPORTIF ET AUTRES ORGANISATONS IMPLIQUEES DANS LE SPORT
1. Specialised Agencies and Sports Organisations /Agences spécialisées et organisations sportives
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) / Agende mondiale antidopage (AMA)
Witold Bańka, President
Olivier Niggli, Director General
Rafal Piechota, Director, Office of the President
2. Members of the Consultative Committee of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) / Membres du Comité consultatif de l’Accord partiel élargi sur le sport (APES)
Centre for Sport and Human Rights / Centre pour le Sport et les Droits de l'Homme
Guido BATTAGLIA, Head of Partnerships and Institutional Affairs
EU Athletes (New name as of 01.10.24: European Athletes and Players Association, EAPA)
Paulina Tomczyk, General Secretary
European Athletics
Jean GRACIA, First Vice-president
European Association for Sport Management (EASM)
Anton Behrens, General Secretary
European Athlete as Student (EAS)
Laura Capranica, President
European Fair Play Movement / Mouvement européen du fair-play (EFPM)
Carlos Cardoso, Representative of Portugal in the EFPM
Anabella Reis, Vice-President of the Portuguese Sports Foundation, Representative of Portugal in the EFPM
European Non-Governmental Sports Organisation / Organisation européenne non gouvernementale des sports (ENGSO)
Marie DENITTON, Office Director
European Network of Sport Education (ENSE)
Antonio Tessitore, President
European Paralympic Committee (EPC)
Raymon Blondel, President
European Olympic Committees (EOC) / Comités olympique européens (COE)
Annamarie Phelps, Member of the Executive Committee
European Physical Education Association (EUPEA)
Bruno Cremonesi, Vice-president
European University Sports Association (EUSA)
Andrej Pisl, Projects and Policy Manager
FARE Network
Piara Powar, Executive Director
Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA)
Xavier Malenfer, Director of Institutional and International Relations
International Basketball Federation (FIBA) / Fédération internationale de Basketball
Jadranka Clark, Senior Advisor
International Dance Organization (IDO)
Patrik PEROSA, Advisor to the President
International Federation of Sport Officials (IFSO) / Fédération Internationale pour les Juges et Arbitres Sportifs (IFSO)
Charlotte GIRARD FABRE, Secretary General
International Sport and Culture Association / Association Internationale du Sport et de la Culture (ISCA)
Mogens KIRKEBY, President
Peace and Sport / L'Organisation pour la Paix par le Sport
Pauline JOHANET, Head of International Relations
Play the Game
Jens Sejer ANDERSEN, International Director
Stanis Elsborg, Senior Analyst and Head of Conference
Rugby Europe
Christian Dullin, Vice-President
Sports Rights Owners Coalition (SROC)
Mark Lichtenhein, Chairman
TAFISA Europe
Janez SODRŽNIK, TAFISA Treasurer
Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)
James OGILVIE, Head of European Affairs
World Snowboard Federation / Fédération Mondiale de snowboard
Dominic Kuhn, President
OTHER INVITED ORGANISATIONS / AUTRES ORGANISATIONS INVITEES
World Health Organisation (WHO)
Stephen Whiting, Technical Officer (Noncommunicable Diseases)
Commonwealth Secretariat / Secrétariat du Commonwealth
Layne Robinson, Head of Social Policy Development
Fédération internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
Annaliza Tsakona, FIFA President's Office, International Relations & Public Affairs
speakers / intervenant.E.s
Raymon Blondel, President, European Paralympic Committee
Benny Bonsu, Director of Daily Content at Olympic Channel Services (OCS)
Morten Schmidt, Global Director of Programmes and Grants, Laureus Sport for Good
Gévrise Emane, Lifestyle Athletes Manager, National Institute for Sport, Expertise and Performance (INSEP), France
Maja Włoszczowska, WADA Athlete Council
Cécile Chaussard, Specialist in sports law and senior lecturer in law, University of Bourgogne, France
James Carr, Deputy Executive Director, ASOIF
Marko Begović, Associate Professor, Molde University College, Norway
Maurizio Cuttin, Member of the Bureau of the Advisory Council on Youth of the Council of Europe
Annamarie Phelps, Chair of the UK Secretariat, Co-Chair of the Global Executive, International Working Group on Women & Sport (IWG)
Paoline Ekambi, President and Co-founder of Sportail Community and Ex Captain of the French Basketball team
Ticha Penicheiro, former professional player, Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
André Seabra, Director of the Portugal Football School
Vitor Pardal, National Coordinator of the High-Performance Sports Units in School, Portugal
Duarte Nuno Fernandes Lopes, Expert on dual career, Chief of Staff, Secretary of State for Sport, Portugal
Sofia Ramalho, SLBenfica Basketball Female Team Manager, alumna of the International Basketball Federation’s (FIBA) Time Out 2.0 project
Andy Criere Martin, Professional Surfer, Spain
SECRETARIAT OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE / SECRETARIAT DU CONSEIL DE L'EUROPE
Private Office of the Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General / Cabinet du Secrétaire général et du Secrétaire général adjoint
Irene KITSOU-MILONAS, Adviser
Protocol / Protocole
Isabelle FLECKSTEINER, Protocol Officer
Lea PALAU, Protocol Officer
Direction of Communication / Direction de la Communication
Päivi Suhonen, Communication Adviser
Directorate General I – Human Rights and Rule of Law / Direction Générale I – Droits humains et Etat de droit
Gianluca ESPOSITO, Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law
Council of Europe Sport Division / Division Sport du Conseil de l’Europe
Sophie KWASNY, Head of the Sport Division and Executive Secretary of EPAS
Francine RAVENEY, Deputy Executive Secretary of EPAS
Cassandra MACTAVISH, Senior Project Officer
Caroline LARGHI, Administrative Assistant
Emma ZANICHELLI, Communication Officer
Nicolas SAYDE, Head of the Macolin Secretariat
Elodie DAVID, Administrative Assistant
Interpreters / Interprètes
Luke Tilden (Head of team)
Ingrid Veriepe
Julia Tanner
Louis Keil
Barnaby Guy Hubble
Ana RAMOS
Appendix 3
Resolution on Collaborative governing and good governance in sport:
supporting a fresh approach to match its societal importance
The Ministers responsible for Sport, meeting in Porto, Portugal, for their 18th Council of Europe Conference on 9 October 2024:
1. recalling the Council of Europe’s mission to promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law across Europe and the importance of furthering this promotion beyond Europe;
2. bearing in mind the European Convention on Human Rights and other Council of Europe Conventions applicable to sport;
3. reaffirming the principles contained in the Council of Europe European Sports Charter and wishing to see sport – defined as “all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, are aimed at maintaining or improving physical fitness and mental well-being, forming social relationships or obtaining results in competition at all levels“- develop according to its spirit;
4. recognising the importance of protecting and developing a values-based sport and its organisation, based on the common features of the European Sport Model as understood by the sports movement, ensuring the respect, protection and promotion of human rights and the principles of democracy, transparency, equality and inclusion, solidarity, integrity, and sustainability;
5. drawing attention to the social, educational, recreational and health functions of sport, while recognising that sport is also an important economic sector that must be taken into account when developing sports policies;
6. recalling their belief that the sports movement plays a key role in enabling the materialisation of such functions and other benefits expected from sport;
7. reiterating that access for all, including disabled ones and from disadvantaged backgrounds, to the development of physical, intellectual and ethical competences through physical education and sport should be guaranteed, both within the educational system (school sport) and in other aspects of social life and leisure activities;
8. welcoming the actions by the Council of Europe's Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) to further the promotion of the highest human rights, democracy and rule of law related standards for sport and the exploration of the challenges and opportunities affecting sport, with reference to the principles of transparency, integrity, democracy and solidarity, as set out in the “Council of Europe and Sport Strategic Priorities for 2022-2025”;
9. expressing their unwavering solidarity with Ukraine, condemning the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine, considering that the Russian Federation and Belarus should not be represented in international sport as long as this aggression continues, and committing to enable Ukrainians to participate in sport.[2] & [3]
The Ministers:
RECALL the unique and increasing importance of sport for societies and public health – making it a common resource – and its ability to unite people and communities;
REITERATE the key role, responsibilities and competencies of public authorities in protecting individuals and upholding human rights, democracy and the rule of law, including in the context of sport;
ACKNOWLEDGE the sports movement, which comprises non-governmental, non-profit sports organisations, as the main partner of public authorities for the implementation of sports policies, in accordance with applicable legislation and international standards, including internationally recognised human rights and fundamental freedoms;
RECOGNISE the contribution that sport can have on local development and the importance of leveraging sport events for sustainable economic social and environmental benefits;
ENCOURAGE a collaborative governing of sport and more inclusive dialogue, respectful of the freedom of association enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights and of autonomous decision-making processes within sports movement organisations, fostering good governance;
COMMIT to support the implementation of good governance principles and ENGAGE to cooperate with all key stakeholders and to consult national sports organisations when preparing national and international policies relating to sport;
INVITE the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to:
1. ensure that in light of the societal benefits of sport, public authorities and sports organisations promote it as a common resource, fostering its social, health and educational role and preserving it for future generations;
2. encourage Council of Europe Committees tasked with sport-related matters (CAHAMA, T-MC,
T-S4, T-DO) to strengthen an inclusive dialogue between public authorities, including with the European Union, sports organisations, athletes, concerned youth representatives, the corporate sector and civil society in the definition of sports strategies and policies, taking into account the social and educational dimension of sport;
3. commend and further encourage the Council of Europe to assist and advise governments and sports organisations in order to advance human rights, democracy and the rule of law in and through sport, while acknowledging that the Council of Europe is also a platform for the development, monitoring and implementation of standards and policies for safe, ethical, and inclusive sport;
4. implement and promote in all activities of Council of Europe Committees tasked with sport-related matters (CAHAMA, T-MC, T-S4, T-DO) examples of best practice in good governance, including mechanisms that guarantee transparency and accountability within the sports movement, while safeguarding the rights of all involved in sport;
5. continue supporting greater gender equality in sport and empowering women in sport, notably through the All In Plus joint project of the European Union and the Council of Europe, in respect of the measures it recommends regarding gender equality in leadership positions in particular, and by integrating gender mainstreaming across all levels of sport governance and policy-making;
6. encourage member States which have not yet done so to join EPAS;
INVITE EPAS, in all its activities (notably those of its Governing Board, Consultative Committee, International Network of Magistrates and Prosecutors Responsible for Sport, Pool of International Experts on Safe Sport) to:
1. engage with its member States, the sports movement, and other relevant stakeholders in supporting a fresh approach in the governing and governance of sport notably by:
a) promoting collaborative processes, and where appropriate a co-decision and
co-responsibility in the implementation of sports policies, and in the protection of sport as a common resource;
b) encouraging States and sports organisations to carry out a continuous dialogue with athletes, local clubs, concerned youth representatives and civil society, recognising them as instrumental partners in promoting values-based sport, and including them in decision-making processes;
c) encouraging sport organisations to implement mechanisms to anticipate, mitigate and address the risks to values-based sport, including the evaluation of these initiatives;
d) supporting States and sports organisations in the design and implementation of good governance policies, taking into account the implementation of the European Sports Charter;
2. further contribute to the work carried out by the International Partnership Against Corruption in Sport (IPACS), underlining the importance of the recommendations of its benchmark on good governance such as, for instance, the recommendation on term limits for elected officials;
3. examine whether the recommendation on the promotion of good governance in sport (CM/Rec(2018)12) and the recommendation on the principle of autonomy of sport in Europe (CM/rec(2011)3) could be revised, so as to ensure strong support for the standards and values of sport and to offer responses to new challenges;
4. foster a culture of good governance through educational initiatives, communication campaigns, exchange of best practices and preventive measures, integration of evaluation and impact assessment methodologies in sport investment strategies;
5. further explore intra- and inter-organisation initiatives, including within the Council of Europe and with the European Union, involving other sectoral areas, in order to maximise the knowledge and the tools to promote good governance in sport;
6. encourage member States to measure the economic impact of sport, in particular by using sport satellite accounts;
7. present a report to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in 2025, assessing progress in the implementation of the measures included in this Resolution;
EXPRESS their appreciation to the Portuguese authorities for the excellent organisation of the
18th Conference and for their kind hospitality;
NOTE with gratitude the invitation of the authorities of the Principality of Monaco to host the 19th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport in 2026.
[1] This document has been classified restricted until examination by the Committee of Ministers.
[2] Armenia, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Serbia and the Slovak Republic dissociate themselves from this paragraph of the Resolution.
[3] Türkiye’s stance on this paragraph should be understood in line with its reservations to the Reykjavík Declaration adopted at the
4th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe (16-17 May 2023).