The Zagreb 2024 FISU World Forum ended on Saturday 31 August, but the work of the students will hopefully continue for many years to come as they leave with 10 concrete recommendations to make a difference in tomorrow’s world.
A total of 156 students, speakers, officials and volunteers from 47 countries all gathered in Croatia for five days of exchanges on the topics of inclusion, diversity and diplomacy. The 17th was a fantastic success as all nationalities, generations and professions got together to listen, discuss, share, learn, showcase and move during the numerous activities that had been prepared for them by FISU’s Education Committee and Department with the help of a very efficient and motivated local organising committee.
A beautiful mix of people
People expecting to spend five days in class couldn’t have been more mistaken, as the FISU World Forum is a kaleidoscope of moments that all have in common the exchange of ideas, opinions and points of view. And during most of them, the students could find themselves tasting chocolate with a National University Sport Federation representative, creating an app with a brand new friend from the other side of the world, dreaming of becoming a sports diplomat or an adaptative judo teacher and ending the day playing beach volleyball with FISU President Leonz Eder!
Inspiring panel, keynote speakers and What's up FISU session
There were of course plenary sessions and those put sparkles in the participant’s eyes. They first heard top class athletes and politicians Nicolina Brnjac (European Parliament), Besim Aliti (Kosovo Olympic Committee), Damjan Rudež (former NBA athlete) and Martin Sinković (rowing, three times Olympic champion) discuss sports diplomacy and global relations in the opening panel.
“FISU without youth is nothing”
This was followed by an eye-opener by human rights specialist Daniela Heerdt who spoke about sport as a possible game changer, before FISU President Leonz Eder spoke really openly about the International University Sports Federations different programmes. “FISU without youth is nothing, he smiled addressing the students in the main hall. We are really grateful that you are part of our family. And if I have one piece of advice for you, it is the following: don’t only ask your parents about their successes. Ask them about their mistakes too, so you will be able to learn from them!”
Verity Postlethwaite helped everyone the different definitions and areas of application of sports diplomacy, before Gavin Price outlined more practical pointers as to how to work in sports diplomacy. How many of the attendants will chose that career path? Time will tell!
And, last but not least. two very inspiring women, Marina Drašković and Aziza Sbaity both spoke movingly about trying to erase the word “inclusion” from the dictionary.
Unmissable FISU Fair
A moment that everyone looks forward to during the FISU World Forums is the fair. Students and representatives from all National University Sport Federations (NUSF) showcase cultural traditions, delicacies and games and teach other nations a few tricks. This really helps everyone interact and learn about each other, before collaborating during the workshops and student projects.
Fruitful and numerous workshops
Even the president goes back to school…
After interacting at the fair, everyone attended workshops, aimed at students but also at officials. They discussed inclusion, diversity and sustainability and several NUSFs shared best practices and projects that can be copied elsewhere. The mix of attendees in each session (from FISU President to volunteers from the local organising committee) helped the interaction be really interesting.
12 impressive student projects
And on top of the workshops, all students were divided into 12 groups and had to work on a project that they presented on the last day of the Forum. Some imagined competitions with disabled and non disabled student-athletes, some created Apps or website and all came up with inspiring ideas for the future.
Beach volleyball, adapted judo and futsal
… and serves in the sand!
And of course everyone was able to relax by playing beach-volleyball, futsal but also to practice what was preached and take part in an adapted judo training session.
Goodbye Zagreb, hello Östersund
FISU Executive Committee Vice-President and Education Committee Chair, Verena Burk, concluded the Forum by giving ten recommendations to all attendees:
- Sports diplomacy is everywhere and in all of us
- Sport helps open doors and overcome boundaries beyond national or regional features
- University sport cannot contribute to creating a better world without taking into account the human rights dimension
- Dual Career highlights the responsibility of tomorrow leaders of (university) sports organisations
- There is not one single way to make great achievements
- Need for better representation and inclusion in leadership positions within sports organisations
- Learning from differences and adapting is key
- Small steps can lead to big changes
- Think and act in a sustainable way
- Cooperation between each actor of the university sport movement is crucial to reach common objectives
She then passed on the FISU flag from FISU Executive Committee Member and Zagreb 2024 FISU World Forum Organising Committee President, Marko Žunić, to Christopher Svensson, president of the Swedish NUSF and Rosi Hoffer, deputy mayor of the city of Östersund that will host the next FISU World Forum in 2026.
Written by Thérèse Courvoisier, pictures courtesy of the organising committee.
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