President Leonz Eder and Secretary General/CEO Matthias Remund represented the International University Sports Federation at the IF Forum and Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations General Assembly in Lausanne.
The main objective of the FISU delegation present at the Olympic Museum was to gain new insights from the world of global sport in the areas of digitalisation, commercialisation, media and communication, and innovation, as well as to take advantage of the opportunity for intensive networking.
The inspiring International Federation Forum opening speech was given by IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who insisted on the importance of integrity, unity, and collaboration within the entire Olympic Movement. She emphasised that sports leaders must set an example and provide convincing answers to the questions of the next generations.
The International Federation Forum is a clever mix of insightful keynote speeches, panels and networking opportunities, always attended by key actors of the sport, education and development worlds. For example, Prof. Simon Chadwick, Professor of Afro-Eurasian Sport at Emlyon Business School, gave a presentation on ‘Navigating global disruption: What Sport can teach us (and must learn)’. One of his insights into our rapidly changing world was: ‘I think we often don’t take the time just to sit back and think about some key issues that we face in the world now and think about how those things impact sport.’
and FISU President Leonz Eder at the ARISF GA.
The FISU representatives attended the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF) General Assembly as well as many of the events proposed by the IF Forum.
“In person discussions with our stakeholders are key to FISU’s development”, explained FISU Secretary General and CEO, Matthias Remund. “We are part of the same ecosystem, we are neighbours of many International Federations here in Lausanne so we must make the most of every opportunity to share our thoughts on the future development of sport and society.”
FISU President Leonz Eder (here with Matthias Remund and Prof. Dr. Ugur Erdener, President of SportAccord and IOC Member) also emphasised the importance the forum as a platform for networking. “As a multi-sport federation, it is particularly important for FISU to engage in dialogue with the presidents and secretaries general of the international federations, with representatives of the IOC, ARISF, AIMS (Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport) and other umbrella organisations in order to deepen existing cooperation and explore new areas of activity. We also had intensive contacts with government representatives, commercial partners and organising committees.”