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

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, dear Pedro,

Ministers,

Chairperson of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, dear Linda,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

This summer’s immensely successful Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games were a triumph for France, and for sport.

People from around the world watched and celebrated together as competitors pushed the boundaries of the possible –

Breaking records and spreading joy.

In this sense, this Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport could not come at a better moment.

What we have here in Porto is a unique opportunity to build on the momentum that exists – also coming from the UEFA Euro Championship in Germany –

And to take further steps as regards good governance in sports.

Yes, we want to ensure that the sports organisations have the autonomy that they need to innovate, prosper and grow.

But we also need to see to it that the legislative and governance frameworks that help them do that is fair, inclusive and transparent –

Especially given the increasing complexity of the challenge.

Both the range and scale of sports and sports organisations continues to grow –

Often attracting large amounts of money and commercial interests.

This can bring benefits –

Sponsorship, investment, and career opportunities – for athletes and non-athletes alike.

But it also opens sports to risks that I believe must be addressed –

Excessive commercialisation, corruption and a lack of transparency, and the movement of sports management into the hands of a privileged very few where decisions are taken behind closed doors.

So, how then do we want tackle this?

How are we to ensure that sports are open to all and managed in the interests of all?

Well, fortunately, we are certainly not starting from scratch.

Over the years, we have taken many positive steps –

With the concrete support and participation of so many people here in this room today.

Just look at the revised European Sports Charter which creates a common framework and basic principles of national sport policies –

And makes clear the necessary balance between governmental and non-governmental action –

With the aim of ensuring sport for all.

Just look at IPACS, the International Partnership against Corruption in Sport –

Of which the Council of Europe is a founding partner and active member –

And whose benchmark on good governance was co-ordinated by EPAS, our Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport –

In collaboration with our member states, the IOC and others –

Just look at MARS, our Network of Magistrates and Prosecutors for Sport –

Established after our last Ministerial Conference on Sport in Antalya –

And which is already doing good work to strengthen international co-operation and the exchange of information on the integrity in sport.

And just look at the many interesting debates and key initiatives and issues raised by our Parliamentary Assembly in the Council of Europe. And how it helps us move forward.

But now is the time to take the next steps.

This morning there will be a session on collaborative governing –

Where we will be able to share ideas and perspectives on how sport organisations, public authorities and others –

Including the private sector, NGOs and community groups, and athletes themselves –

Can come together to better ensure decision-making processes that work for everyone –

And this afternoon, there will be an important session on good governance –

Where we will also discuss not just what rules and structures should be established and how compliance can be achieved –

But, more fundamentally, how to build an ethical culture which values openness, accountability and integrity –

With the aim of helping sport organisations develop robust mechanisms that prevent, identify and address misconduct.

These aims are all captured in the very strong and relevant draft resolution that you are invited to adopt.

The resolution also calls for governments to further support gender equality and the empowerment of women in sport –and this is essential.

And following the lead provided by the joint Council of Europe – European Union “All in Plus” project –

Which urges action specifically to ensure gender equality in leadership positions –

And I look forward to hearing any new ideas that emerge from tomorrow morning’s focus session on this subject –

As we look to increase the number of women taking up senior positions and helping us deliver real change.

We will also have an important discussion on the focus session on dual career.

As many aspiring athletes want to pursue both their passion for sport and other career avenues.

For some this is about personal fulfilment –

For others it is about keeping professional options open –

And for others again it is necessary so that they have the financial means to pursue their sporting passions.

All of this is highly relevant and important –

The same is true for people who want to pursue sport and education –

And I know from my recent meeting with the Portuguese State Secretary that a very interesting project has been carried out here in Portugal recently –

Supporting over 1000 athletes and helping them get an excellent education while pursuing what they love the most – sports.

All of this certainly helps young people in particular –

And related to this, I also want to congratulate everyone involved in the youth initiative “Champions for Youth in Sports”.

Dear friends,

It is when we are young that we often establish a life-long love of sport – for me it was football.

And I believe that we should try to do even more to include young people and youth in helping us decide priorities for the future of sport –

At the end, let me raise the following:

I think that all of us here share a belief in the benefit that sports bring to us – to our health and wellbeing, and to our communities.

Sports also bring closer bonds and a sense of unity that comes from teamwork and a shared passion.

And sports and sports governance are of course very much part of our wider democracy.

That is why we need to put sports and sport governance on the strongest possible democratic footing -

And we can only do that by keeping it high on our agenda.

Finally, our deepest gratitude goes to you Minister, to Portugal and the Portuguese Institute for Sport and Youth, in particular, for co-organising so excellently this Conference.

I wish all of us successful days here in beautiful Porto.

Thank you for your attention.