FISU Seminar: a Total Success! An Interview with Eric Saintrond, FISU Secretary General / CEO
April 11st, 2008
Eric Saintrond listening to the presentations made by some of the FISU staff members
Further to the Seminar held in Brussels which gathered the new members of the Committees on April 4th and 5th, 2008, the FISU Media Department met with the FISU Secretary General to assess and draw the conclusions on this event. The meetings were dedicated to the structure and the way the International University Sports Federation operates. FISU Media: "The Seminar was successful in regard to the number of participants and kind atmosphere that was felt during the event. To what do we owe this success?" Eric Saintrond: "This seminar was not at its first edition as the previous one dates back to 2004. The event is of course dedicated to the new FISU Committee members. We are very happy that most of the members were able to attend this two-day meeting. The fact that we organized the Seminar in our new Headquarters in a meeting room recently equipped for conferences has made it possible for us to welcome and make the people feel like at home. During this edition of the Seminar, the FISU staff was very involved and actively participated to the event as several had the opportunity to make a presentation. Before the meeting, all speakers received the layout of the slides which gave a harmony to the various presentations. "
All the delegates were very interested in the different presentations
FISU Media: "Further to the Seminar, do you plan to use this education tool for other events or organizations?" Eric Saintrond: "Yesterday, we sent out an evaluation form to all the participants who attended the event in order to help us improve the quality and contents of our presentations. Based on this, we will organize a staff meeting, correct and modify the different presentations and make the contents available to other conferences. As a matter of fact, one continental organization is already interested in conducting a similar event to promote FISU in their region. It is clear that now that FISU has affiliated continental associations, we will also dedicate our time to help them in becoming more knowledgeable about the structure of FISU. "
Welcoming of the delegates in front of the FISU HQ
FISU Media: "In your speech as well as in the speech of the President, both of you mentioned the importance of the FISU volunteering; can you tell us a bit more about this subject?" Eric Saintrond: "It is true that both the President and myself emphasized the importance of the work of the 150 volunteers that are working with us in the various FISU committees. As I mentioned in my presentation, the economical value of the FISU volunteering represents more than 5 million € in four (4) years that FISU would spend on professional experts. Nonetheless, the work of our committees cannot only be evaluated in terms of economical value. Indeed, their competencies and efficiency are also very valuable to FISU which is very lucky to count on people who have a real passion for our university sports movement. Without their collaboration and involvement, FISU could not achieve most of its projects and if FISU exists, it is also thanks to these volunteers, the members of the committees which make up the FISU Family."
Marie Lundmark (left), CT Chair figure skating, and, Jeanette Johnston, CT Chair curling, are now part of the FISU Familly
