European Non-Governmental Sports Organisation (ENGSO) held its annual Seminar and General Assembly in Visby, Sweden between June 8 and 10, 2018.

The event was attended also by the representatives of the European University Sports Association (EUSA). Secretary General Mr Matjaz Pecovnik with Communications and Projects Manager Mr Andrej Pisl attended the events in Sweden.



The event started with the welcome speeches by the ENGSO President Mr Carlos Cardoso, Secretary General Mr Stefan Bergh and representatives of the local hosts.



At the EU Seminar on Sport, the Head of Sport Unit at the European Commission Mr Yves Le Losteque, gave an update on the current and future Erasmus+ programme and exciting opportunities in the field of sport.



ENGSO Sport Policy Programme was presented by ENGSO Policy Director Ms Kaisa Larjomaa and Deputy Director of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) EU Office Ms Heidi Pekkola. The presentation was followed by workshops on key policy priorities.



The Seminar continued on Saturday with the topic of Sport and Inclusion. Research and Development Manager and expert on gender equality at the Swedish Sports Confederation Ms Jenny Svender presented the journey of gender equality in the Swedish sports movement and in sport in general.



The presentation was followed by the general discussion and workshop on gender equality, addressing the challenges and giving commitment to future work and development.



The topic of sport, sexual orientation and gender identity was presented by Mr David Hofstetter, board member of the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF), focusing on the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer (LGBTIQ) community in sport.



ENGSO Project Manager Ms Orsolya Tolnay presented the ASPIRE project on inclusion of refugees in and through sport. Activity, Sport, Play for the Inclusion of Refugees in Europe (ASPIRE) is an international project that focuses on social inclusion in relation to people who are at risk of exclusion, especially refugees.



The seminar concluded with a personal story of Ms Shamima Aktar, journalist, women´s rights activist and sports leader. After having to flee from Bengladesh because she was faced with death threats and violence from Islamist extremists, she got involved in basketball and started the team called World Wide Ladies, focusing on inclusion of girls and women from ethical minorities.



The Assemblies of ENGSO and ENGSO Youth followed in the afternoon. At the ENGSO General Assembly, also the Secretary General of the European University Sports Association (EUSA) addressed the participants, thanking ENGSO for the invitation and reflected in the cooperation between the two organisations.



The Assembly adopted the reports, activity plans, and also the modifications of the statutes. The Assembly also recognised the work of outgoing long-term members - Policy Director Ms Heidi Pekkola and EWS Chair Ms Kristina Thuree.



At the General Assembly of the ENGSO Youth, EUSA was represented by its Communications and Projects Manager Mr Andrej Pisl. Mr Pisl addressed the participants, thanking them for long-term cooperation, and expressing his thanks in the joint efforts in activities related to development of youth sport. ENGSO Youth will also be present at the European Universities Games (EUG2018) this summer.

The accompanying programme included a medieval dinner on Friday, sightseeing tour and a farewell official dinner at the Governor of Gotland County Ms Cecilia Schelin Seidegard.



At the occasion of travelling to Sweden, EUSA representatives also met the Chair of International Committee of the Swedish University Sports Federation (SAIF) Ms Johanna St Clair Renard to discuss the university sport development in Sweden.

For more information, please see www.engso.eu and www.youth-sport.net.