Anita DeFranz with the FISU delegates
HELSINKI – The 6th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport “Lead the Change – Be the Change” opened yesterday, 12 June, 2014 in Helsinki, Finland. More than 800 participants from close to 100 countries witnessed the Opening Ceremony of the landmark event.
FISU is a partner of the Conference. The FISU delegation is composed of 8 persons who are members of the Executive Committee, Gender Equality, Education and Student Committees.
The Opening Ceremony speakers showed a strong commitment to advancing women’s sport and a positive change towards gender equality in sport. The seriousness of the topic was coupled with an uplifting show filled with humor, personal stories, sing-along and performances from talented young musicians and athletes.
The distinguished speakers of the Opening Ceremony were Ms. Raija Mattila, IWG Co-Chair, President Tarja Halonen, Conference Patron and former President of the Republic of Finland, Mr. Thomas Bach, IOC President, Mr. Peter Tallberg, IOC Member, Sir Philip Craven, IPC President, Ms. Anita L. DeFrantz, Honorary Member of the IOC Women, Ms. Androulla Vassiliou, Member of the European Commission, and Mr. Risto Nieminen (FISU Honorary member), President of the Finnish Sports Confederation Valo and the Finnish Olympic Committee.
Policies for Positive Change
Former President Tarja Halonen, Conference Patron, was the first keynote speaker. In her speech she underlined the strong commitment of Finland, the host country; she underlined that “Policies are needed at all levels to improve gender equality”, a statement shared with Ms. Androulla Vassiliou, who said that gender equality was not only a principle – it was a necessity. “We can improve sport and the world by empowering women in sport. Sport is a human right, and it’s a language that everyone speaks. Sport can teach us vital life skills, such as leadership. Sport can empower us to be the best we can be”, she continued.
IOC President Thomas BachSport needs Women
In his speech IOC President Thomas Bach underlined his commitment to increasing the participation of women at all levels of the Olympic movement. He said that the Olympic movement can serve as an example for others and thus “Lead the Change” in sports. “Great progress has been made regarding women and sports. For instance, boxing was included in the London Olympics, and ski jumping for women in Sochi this year. The next logical step would be to have Nordic combined for women”, IOC President Thomas Bach said. He also reminded that in the Olympic Games in London and Sochi, the percentage of female athletes was 44 and 40 per cent respectively, both up as compared to the previous Games. “To make real progress in our quest for gender equality and for open access to physical activity for women and girls worldwide, we need closer collaboration with governments, educational institutions, and the private sector”, Mr. Bach said. Mr. Bach’s final words to the conference participants and organisers reflected the positive expectations of many – “send us your recommendations as soon as possible”.
IPC President Sir Philip noted in his speech that sport needs more women in order to thrive. “Women have a significant role to play in sport at all levels, as athletes, coaches, officials and leaders. Women see things differently to men, and through the IPC’s Women in Sport Committee we aim to ensure greater gender equality across all the Paralympic Movement.”
In her speech, Commissioner Vassiliou spoke out the need for more media attention for women’s sport. She also thanked the 6th IWG World Conference for highlighting the vital question of equality in sport.
Brighton Declaration Signatories
The Brighton Declaration was born at the first international conference on women and sport in Brighton, UK, in 1994. To date, 419 organisations have signed the Brighton Declaration, which contains the guiding principles of advancing women’s and girls’ participation at all levels of sport and physical activity.
FISU Activities
Many delegates visited the FISU stand. Amongst them Anita DeFrantz, IOC Executive Board member. Today, July 13, FISU runs a parallel session entitled: “University Sport: Walking towards effective quality”.
The conference is streamed live. For more information visit www.iwg-gti.org/watch-conference-live. Press photos can be downloaded from the photo bank. You may follow the discussion on Twitter @IWGWomenSport and with the hashtag #IWGhelsinki. See the full speech by IOC President Thomas Bach here.
The FISU Delegation is composed of the following persons:
Alison Odell: FISU First Assessor, Chair Education Committee
Rosaura Mendez: FISU Assessor, Chair Gender Equality Committee (GEC)
Peninnah Kabenge: FISU Assessor, Vice-Chair Gender Equality Committee (GEC)
Hilkka Laitinen: FISU Gender Equality Committee
Sima Limoochi: FISU Gender Equality Committee
Natasha Campos: FISU Student Committee
Lotte Uutinen: FISU Student Committee
Kolë Gjeloshaj: Director of Educational Services
(Source: Kolë Gjeloshaj, Director of Educational Services)