COUNCIL OF EUROPE EPAS ANNUAL MEETING

The Council of Europe (CoE) Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) held its annual Governing Board and Consultative Committee meetings in Strasbourg from May 28 to 30, 2024. Patrik Perosa, Advisor to the President, represented IDO in all sessions.

The sessions began on May 28 with updates from the EPAS Consultative Committee and workshops addressing refugees and migrants, sport for all, and education. All members of the Consultative Committee actively participated and shared best practices, making this session particularly constructive.

On May 29, the EPAS Consultative Committee welcomed three new members: the International Automobile Federation (FIA), Rugby Europe, and the World Snowboarding Federation (WSF), reaching the maximum of 30 organizations. Elections were also held for the Consultative Committee Bureau for the next two years. The elected bureau members included: Chair - Charlotte Girard Fabre (IFSO), Vice-Chair - Mogens Kirkeby (ISCA), Members - Annemarie Phelps (EOC), Andrej Pisl (EUSA), Patrik Perosa (IDO), Pauline Johanet (Peace and Sport), and Gender Equality Rapporteur - Marie Denitton (ENGSO).

A joint meeting of the Governing Board and Consultative Committee started in the afternoon of May 29. The EPAS Executive Secretary, Sophie Kwasny, and Chair, Alexandre Husting, presented the EPAS Activity report and the Showcasing and Sharing Tool. Updates from the Secretariat included changes to the Governing Board and Consultative Committee, cooperation with the European Union presented by Vesna Batistic Kos, and discussions on the EPAS Strategy for 2024-2025, which includes updates and a rebranding in the 75th anniversary year of the Council of Europe. Work on the three pillars of EPAS was also presented, highlighting efforts in ethical sport, inclusive sport, and safe sport. The day concluded with the opening of the exhibition “Les Elles des Jeux,” co-organized with the Permanent Representation of France to the Council of Europe.

The final day, May 30, featured a roundtable on the European Sports Charter with discussions on Human Rights; Sport for All; Sustainability; Migrants and Refugees; and Education. Presentations from national delegations and consultative committee members covered good practices related to the Charter's themes.