The 3rd edition of the annual FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy is underway, bringing together 130 activists representing 80 continental and national university sports federations, as well as organisers of World University Championships 2020, at the Volga Youth Centre from 5 to 11 September. The Republic of Tatarstan is a traditional host of this educational forum with a highly packed agenda, welcoming student sports leaders for the third year in a row.
At the event’s opening ceremony, among the honourable guests were FISU President Oleg Matytsin, Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan Farid Mukhametshin, Deputy of the Russian Federation State Duma of the 7th convocation Marat Bariev, Sports Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan Vladimir Leonov, and Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs of the Republic of Tatarstan Timur Suleymanov.
FISU President Oleg Matytsin welcomed the 2019 participants saying, “Dear friends, dear students, I am really pleased to be here today with you, our big FISU family. On behalf of all of us and FISU, I would like to thank the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, all his team, and our colleagues for having organised this event for us. We have been cooperating since the preparations for Summer Universiade 2013, and Tatarstan is hosting our Forum, as the legacy of those Games, for the third time already. I believe that our future projects and gatherings have great prospects. The key word in our Forum’s title is “Leaders”: we believe in you, your enthusiasm and energy. You are our future, the future of university sports, and youth movement in your countries and globally. Returning home, you will share these values and ideas with thousands of students in your homeland. Together, we are strong, united by sports, peace, and friendship!”
“Let me welcome you, all of the volunteers representing more than 80 countries,” said Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan Farid Mukhametshin. “This is the third time we are meeting here, in this hospitable land. On behalf of the Government of the Republic and its President, welcome to Tatarstan! Here, people love sports, and we have been lucky enough to live in a region that plays host to many international sporting events. We are aware that without your help, none of those could happen, and you may never be able to imagine the importance of your volunteering, your smiles, and hospitality as a contribution to the delivery of those events. Though speaking different languages of the world, we have been united by Sport Almighty. Let’s work for its benefit, let’s make friends and be creative together. Thank you for coming, and we wish you success!”
This year’s training programme is focused on preparations for the World University Championships 2020 and celebrations of the International University Sports Day. During the seven days of the Academy, the attendees will be treated to a versatile programme that includes workshops, round-table discussions, contests, group projects, and many more. The results of the FISU Student Ambassadors’ efforts during the year will also be presented at the Forum.
The keynote speakers include FISU international experts and representatives of the organisers of the Summer Universiade 2023 (to be hosted by Ekaterinburg) and upcoming 2020 FISU World University Championships.
The academy’s founders are the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan, represented by the Ministry of Sports of the Republic of Tatarstan. Nornickel is the general partner of the event.
The FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy is a unique project initiated by the volunteer community during the 13th FISU Forum in Montpellier and implemented with the support of the FISU President Oleg Matytsin. The Academy has for its goal building a permanent international platform for volunteers and members of national university sports federations to share opinions and best practices in the delivery of volunteer programmes and major sporting events.
The Academy is an annual event held in Kazan, the host of the 27th Summer Universiade. The capital of Tatarstan welcomed its first FISU Leaders Academy on 2-8 July 2017, and the second one took place in Kazan on 14-22 June 2018. During the Academy, volunteer leaders from various countries learn the success story of the Universiade Kazan 2013 and best practices in the management of its legacy. The Forum also unveils the potential of the Republic of Tatarstan as a contributor to the development of the global volunteer movement and international youth cooperation.