Official new partnership between UNESCO and FISU

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) and FISU have signed a consultative partnership, marking a significant step in their long-standing relationship. This partnership will expand joint efforts to promote sport, physical activity and healthy living in university communities around the world.

FISU has been actively participating in UNESCO’s CIGEPS (Intergovernmental Committee for Physical Education and Sport) and MINEPS (International Conference of Ministers and Senior Officials Responsible for Physical Education and Sport) meetings as an observer in recent years. The relationship between UNESCO and FISU deepened notably following the proclamation of the International Day of University Sport (IDUS) by UNESCO in 2016. Celebrated annually on September 20th, IDUS fosters connections between universities and their local communities, with a focus on sports and healthy living.

New opportunities for collaboration

With the establishment of this official partnership, FISU is now in a position to engage more actively with UNESCO’s fields of competence, particularly in sports and physical activity.This new status allows FISU to create more flexible and dynamic collaborations, leveraging its expertise in sports within higher education globally. FISU’s extensive networks will also play a critical role in disseminating information and, where appropriate, contributing operational capacities to UNESCO’s initiatives.

“The establishment of this partnership is fantastic news, rejoices FISU President Leonz Eder. FISU and UNESCO share a long-standing relationship and we look forward to expanding it further for the good of university communities everywhere in the world.”

The partnership brings many benefits, including

• Participation in UNESCO’s Strategic Discussions: FISU will now have the opportunity to be more involved in UNESCO’s strategic discussions, including delivering statements in key commissions, committees, and plenary meetings;
• Access to UNESCO’s information and resources: FISU will receive targeted information on UNESCO’s initiatives, facilitating better alignment and collaboration on shared goals;
• Collective Cooperation Opportunities: as a partner, FISU will be integral to collective consultations and initiatives, particularly those focused on global youth well being through sports and physical activity;
• Access to UNESCO’s Facilities: FISU representatives will have access to UNESCO’s headquarters and facilities, strengthening the collaboration further.

Promoting UNESCO’s “Fit for Life” programme

As part of its commitment to this partnership, FISU plans to actively promote UNESCO’s “Fit for Life” programme within its network of University Sports Federations and universities globally. “Fit for Life” is a sport-based flagship initiative aimed at accelerating COVID-19 recovery, promoting inclusive support, and integrating policy-making to enhance the well-being of youth worldwide. By leveraging its global reach, FISU will help drive the program’s mission to combat physical inactivity, improve mental health, and address inequality through sports.

In addition, FISU aims to increase the visibility of its own educational sports activities, particularly the FISU Healthy Campus Programme, which aligns with UNESCO’s goals of promoting health and well-being through sports in educational institutions.

Looking ahead

This partnership represents a significant milestone in the relationship between UNESCO and FISU, with both organisations poised to make a lasting impact on global university sports. Through their combined efforts, UNESCO and FISU will continue to champion the role of sports in fostering healthy, active, and well-rounded university communities across the globe.

Written by Fernando Parente and Thérèse Courvoisier

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