As delivered by Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Minister of Youth, Sport and Physical Activity for Finland, dear Sandra,

General Secretary of the Finnish League for Human Rights, Ms Mattila,

Governing Board and Consultative Committee members of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport,

Dear President, dear Alexandre,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is now two and a half years since the Council of Europe’s member states adopted our revised European Sports Charter –

And as we approach this summer’s Olympic Games –

To be held here in France –

As well as the EURO 2024 in Germany –

Sports will be even more prominent in people’s minds and in the media.

So, there could not be a better moment than this to assess the impact that the European Sports Charter has made –

And to hear your thoughts and ideas about how we extend that impact further still.

First and foremost, the Charter sets out the principles on which sports policies should be founded.

Sports should be values-based, and defined by ethics, integrity and sustainability, as well as human rights.

This means that sports should also be inclusive, with access to sport in a safe environment as a fundamental right –

And that, more broadly, there should be sports for all, with every individual able to experience the physical and mental benefits – and also the relationship-building that come with taking part.

To enable all of this, there must also be a multi-stakeholder approach –

With public authorities and sports movements, and the corporate and professional sectors –

All coming together to ensure the effective collaboration that delivers results.

Dear friends,

But how can this best be done?

How can we guide governments to design and implement frameworks that are based upon these principles –

And how can we inspire policy makers and sports organisations to make changes to policy and practice –

So that sport is defined by integrity, fair play and openness.

Achieving all this requires all of us to play our part –

And I believe that EPAS’ role is truly essential in this.

At every level –

Including its Governing Board –

And the Consultative Committee.

But your knowledge and expertise is central –

And when we come together, you can inspire real change.

I believe we know this proactive approach works –

Because there are already some very good examples.

This is clear from our support, and many follow up visits to our member states.

In Albania for example, we have seen that sports law now includes an explicit mention of the Charter –

In Portugal, with the exception of younger generations of athletes, it seems all stakeholders know the Charter –

In North-Macedonia, a unique teaching system has been implemented that promotes sports throughout the school day –

And I am deeply impressed by the “Don’t Break the Game” initiative from the Finnish League of Human Rights –

Which is bringing together so many parties – including notable sports figures – to ensure that sports in Finland meet the high ethical standards laid out in the Charter.

I am therefore particularly pleased that we are joined today by the League’s Kaari Mattila, and I look forward to hearing from her about what “Don’t Break the Game” has delivered –

And what she can tell us and teach us all.

Certainly, we all know that there is still progress to be made.

Still, awareness of the Charter can remain limited –

And sometimes governments tend to incorporate it through instruments that are not that well known –

At the same time, engagement can be uneven, with grassroots organisations being at the core of those principles but lacking the means to maximise them.

Dear friends,

The real question today is how we can work together and take additional steps to ensure an even greater impact.

Each in our own way –

To unite around our European Sports Charter –

And to take steps to enhance the support and follow up processes for the Charter’s implementation in our member states.

So, let us seize this moment for progress.

Thank you for your attention.