ZAGREB – The European University Sports Association (EUSA), in cooperation with the Croatian Academic Sports Federation (CASF), Organisers of the European Universities Games Zagreb-Rijeka 2016 and partners, organised the EUSA Conference 2015 in Zagreb, Croatia between March 26 and 29, 2015.
Through the plenary sessions and workshops, assisted also by EUSA partner organisations and FISU representatives, the participants were able to get acquainted with several projects, initiatives and opportunities in university sport. Parallel to the Conference, the EUSA Convention for the Technical delegates took place and participants of the conference had a chance to visit some of the venues of the 2016 Games. The conference also featured a fair and exhibition on university sport and concluded with a gala event where EUSA attributed its annual awards. Prior to the Conference, the EUSA Executive Committee Meeting and Student Commission meeting took place in Zagreb as well. Altogether over 200 participants, coming from 35 countries from all over Europe, including guests from overseas, took part in the Conference, Convention and the Gala. The events in Zagreb were supported by FISU.
Welcome speeches were given by the President of the Croatian Academic Sports Federation (CASF) Mr Zrinko Custonja, the President of the European University Sports Association (EUSA) Mr Adam Roczek, the President of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Mr Claude-Louis Gallien and the Assistant Minister of Science, Education and Sports Mr Tomislav Paskvalin. Representatives of the African and Asian Continental University Sports Federations also addressed the audience.
EUSA President Roczek, FISU President Gallien & FISU 1st VP Matytsin
FISU President Mr Claude-Louis Gallien was one of the keynote speakers. Mr Gallien reflected on the major success and legacy of the 1987 Zagreb Summer Universiade. The President of the European University Sports Association Mr Adam Roczek and Secretary General Mr Matjaz Pecovnik introduced EUSA, its activities and the concept of the European Universities Games. Mr Haris Pavletic on behalf of the Organising Committee of the EUG2016 and the Croatian Academic Sports Federation, together with Mr Gordan Kozulj, famous Croatian athlete, introduced the ideas and plans of the 3rd edition of the European Universities Games, which will be held in Zagreb and Rijeka in 2016.
Plenary sessions also covered the topics of Dual Careers and Education through Sport on the first day, and Activating Europe – the European Week of Sport on the Second day. Ms Agata Dziarnowska from the European Commission, DG EAC – Sport, presented the viewpoints and programmes of the European Commission on the subject matters.
The Conference also included examples of good practice and tackled interesting topics through workshops, including Opportunities for Students towards Increasing Employability, Equality and Ethics in Sport, Engaging Students, Funding Opportunities and the New Media.
FISU President Gallien & EUSA President Roczek
During the Conference, a Fair and Exhibition on university sport in Europe were organised, and at the special Gala the best achievements in the past year were recognised by presenting special awards, including Best University, Most Active NUSF, Most Successful NUSF, Enno Harms Fair Play, Photo Competition, and Orders of Merit. The first Order of Merit was awarded to the Erasmus University Rotterdam for its involvement and partnership in the European Universities Games Rotterdam 2014. The second Order of Merit was awarded to Mr Claude-Louis Gallien, FISU President for his contribution in development of university sport in Europe and on international level.
Among the panellists were also Mrs Verena Burk as the Chair of the FISU Media & Communication Committee, presenting the FISU Young Reporters’ Programme in the workshop on opportunities for students towards increasing employability and Mr Stefan Bergh, FISU CDSU Chair, contributing in the workshop on funding opportunities, presenting the FISU support to NUSF and continental university sports bodies.
Meeting at the Croatian Parliament
The delegation of EUSA and FISU representatives was also received at special meetings first by the President of the Croatian Olympic Committee Mr Zlatko Matesa and in a separate meeting in the Croatian Parliament by the President of the Parliamentary Committee on Health and Social Policy, Mr Zeljko Jovanovic and President of the Board of Education, Science and Culture, Mr Valter Boljuncic, discussing the role of university sport and promotion of health and physical activities.
At the occasion of the events in Zagreb, the EUSA Executive Committee also met with the European members of the FISU Executive Committee to discuss the cooperation between the two organisations.
For more information about the Conference, please see www.eusa.eu.
(Source: Andrej Pisl, EUSA Communications Manager)