Youth Perspective at the CoE EPAS Meeting in Strasbourg (Interview)

Mika Einmal participated in the Council of Europe EPAS “Youth Perspective for Safer and Healthier Sport” event, held in Strasbourg from 25 to 27 May 2026, as a youth representative of the International Dance Organization (IDO). In this interview, he shares his impressions of the event, reflections on Safe Sport discussions, and the importance of involving young people in shaping the future of sport.

• As this was your first EPAS meeting, what surprised you the most or left the strongest impression on you?

It was my first EPAS meeting, and what impressed me most was the opportunity to meet people from very different backgrounds who all share a strong passion for sport. Despite these differences, there was a very constructive and cooperative atmosphere. I was particularly struck by how openly ideas were discussed and how seriously the contributions of all participants were taken in the process of finding common ground on safe and healthy sport.

• You actively participated in the “Youth Perspective” activities — which topic or discussion did you personally find the most important?

For me, the most important aspect was consistently integrating the perspective of active athletes and drawing on real-life experience when developing recommendations. During the discussions, especially when working with statements that we had to agree or disagree with and then justify, it became clear how important structured dialogue is to reach meaningful conclusions. In the working group on Safe Sport, I contributed by introducing and further developing an idea for an AI framework that could potentially support the handling of abuse cases, which I found particularly relevant in such a sensitive context.

• How do you see the role and importance of young people in shaping the future of sport and sport organisations?

Young people should not only be consulted but actively involved in shaping decisions, especially in areas that directly affect their present and future sporting environment. Their perspectives bring valuable insights based on lived experience and current realities in sport. I believe their involvement is particularly important in sensitive topics such as Safe Sport, where trust, awareness, and new approaches are essential. The inclusion of youth perspectives helps ensure that policies are both realistic and forward-looking.

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