Matjaž Gruden is Director for Democracy at the Council of Europe, which includes Council of Europe activities and programmes in the area of education, including education for democratic citizenship, youth cooperation, civil society, media freedom, culture and cultural heritage, and sport.

Matjaž Gruden previously served as Director of Policy Planning, Deputy Director of the Private Office of the Secretary General, political adviser and speechwriter for the Secretary General and President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Prior to his career at the Council of Europe, he was a diplomat at the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, posted in Brussels. He holds a law degree from the Law Faculty of the University of Ljubljana, as well as a post-graduate degree in EU law from the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium.

 @CoeGruden

Directorate General of Democracy and Human Dignity

Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists

  Statement

Ambassador Vesna Batistic Kos took up her function as Head of the EU Delegation to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 1st September 2022. She is the main representative of the EU towards EU Member States present in Strasbourg, representatives in the Parliamentary Assembly as well as third countries' missions and the Council of Europe Development Bank.

Prior to her appointment to Strasbourg, Ms. Batistic Kos had been serving as Permanent Representative of Croatia to the United Nations Office at Geneva since 2015. Since 2012 she was Assistant Minister, Directorate General for Multilateral Affairs and Global Issues, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. In 2011, she was Director General, Directorate General for Multilateral Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration. In 2010, she served as Head of the Department for International Development Cooperation and then as Head of the International Organizations and Human Rights Department at the Ministry. From December 2008 to September 2009, she served as Charge d’affaires a.i. at the Permanent Representation of Croatia to the Council of Europe, after being Deputy Permanent Representative there from 2003 to 2008.

Ms. Batistic Kos joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1993, holding several positions, including First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Croatia to the United Nations Office at Geneva from 1998 to 2002. She graduated from the Faculty of Law in Zagreb in 1992, attended the Diplomatic Academy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1996-1997, received a Master of Laws in international human rights from the University of Essex in the United Kingdom in 1997, and was awarded a PhD in international human rights law from the Faculty of Law in Zagreb in 2011.

Ms. Batistic Kos was born on 30 June 1969 in Zagreb.

  Statement

Charlotte Girard Fabre is Secretary General of IFSO, a handball and curling referee at national level and a former Olympic ice hockey referee.

I am 41 years old, I have been a high-level sportswoman since the age of 13, and I wish to represent this new generation of committed women. The quest for excellence and the requirement of performance led me to referee at the Olympic Games in Sochi (Russia) 2014 and Pyeonchang (South Korea) 2018, and I sharpen my skills and expertise every day to honor my 10 Olympic rings.

A fighter at heart and an explorer of new horizons, I push my limits in sport as well as in my professional life today and tomorrow. Decision-making, time management and conflict management are among my areas of expertise. Resolutely focused on excellence and performance, I accompany your teams collectively to develop a disruptive and pragmatic approach.

An ardent defender of gender diversity and the place of women in our society, I am also passionate about civic engagement: elected Secretary General of the International Federation for Sports Officials, Secretary General of the French Association of Multisport Referees and Ambassador of several think-tanks, I have also chosen to act at the highest institutional level (Ministries, UNSS, FFHB, ...).

  Statement (only available in French)

Dr Tom Webb is Associate Professor in the Centre for Business in Society at Coventry University, UK. He is an expert in the global management, leadership, operational environment and working practices of sports officials. Dr Webb has published extensively on the subject of sports officials, including over 40 peer reviewed journal articles and book chapters. In addition, Dr Webb has published four books including Referees, Match Officials and Abuse: Research and Implications for Policy (published in 2020) and a book on the subject of elite referees in football entitled, Elite Soccer Referees: Officiating in the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A (published in 2017). Tom has worked with a number of high-profile sporting organisations such as UEFA, The Premier League, The English FA, Dutch FA (KNVB), French FA (FFF), Italian Football Federation (FIGC), the Royal Spanish Football Federation, RFU, MCC, LTA, RFL and World Netball. Dr Webb’s research focuses on abuse, aggression and maltreatment of sports officials, the mental health and well-being of sports officials and the governance and careers of sports officials. He is the founder of the Referee and Match Official Research Network and contributes extensively across national and international media platforms including ESPN, BBC TV, BC 5 Live, SkySports, TalkSport, ITV, the Times, the Telegraph and the Guardian.

  Presentation

Patricia Campos was a soccer referee in USA with a passion for the game and a commitment to fair play. Patricia's journey into the world of officiating began in USA in 2012.

After playing during 15 years, Patricia decided to transition to refereeing to contribute to the sport in a different capacity. She earned her referee certification at the age of 30 and quickly climbed the ranks through local leagues. Her dedication to the craft, along with a keen understanding of the rules and exceptional communication skills, gave her the confidence she needed to continue being a referee.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from University of Valencia, where she continued to nurture her passion for soccer and sports. Besides, she is a soccer Coach in USA, Spain and in Uganda.

Throughout her career, she has officiated numerous youth and amateur matches, gaining a reputation for her calm demeanor, consistency, and the ability to make tough decisions under pressure.

In addition to her on-field achievements, Patricia is the first jet pilot in Spain. She has been actively involved in mentorship programs, encouraging the next generation of referees, particularly focusing on promoting diversity and inclusivity within the sports community.

Patricia believes in the positive impact of technology on the game while emphasizing the importance of maintaining the human element in decision-making.

Patricia has proven that gender is not a limitation in the world of sports officiating. Her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring referees, reinforcing the idea that dedication, knowledge, and a love for the game are the keys to success in the officiating realm.

  Presentation

Patricia Campos was a soccer referee in USA with a passion for the game and a commitment to fair play. Patricia's journey into the world of officiating began in USA in 2012.

After playing during 15 years, Patricia decided to transition to refereeing to contribute to the sport in a different capacity. She earned her referee certification at the age of 30 and quickly climbed the ranks through local leagues. Her dedication to the craft, along with a keen understanding of the rules and exceptional communication skills, gave her the confidence she needed to continue being a referee.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from University of Valencia, where she continued to nurture her passion for soccer and sports. Besides, she is a soccer Coach in USA, Spain and in Uganda.

Throughout her career, she has officiated numerous youth and amateur matches, gaining a reputation for her calm demeanor, consistency, and the ability to make tough decisions under pressure.

In addition to her on-field achievements, Patricia is the first jet pilot in Spain. She has been actively involved in mentorship programs, encouraging the next generation of referees, particularly focusing on promoting diversity and inclusivity within the sports community.

Patricia believes in the positive impact of technology on the game while emphasizing the importance of maintaining the human element in decision-making.

Patricia has proven that gender is not a limitation in the world of sports officiating. Her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring referees, reinforcing the idea that dedication, knowledge, and a love for the game are the keys to success in the officiating realm.

Marija Cicak, a pioneering figure in tennis officiating from Croatia, has significantly impacted the sport by becoming the first woman to chair a Wimbledon men's final in 2021. Her journey in the world of tennis officiating is marked by dedication and groundbreaking achievements, having been an integral part of the WTA Chair Umpire team since 2012 and extending her expertise across both the WTA and ATP tours, as well as Grand Slams. Cicak's academic background, featuring a degree as a Master of Kinesiology at the University of Zagreb, lays the foundation for her profound understanding of the physical and psychological demands of professional tennis.

Throughout her illustrious career, Cicak has officiated in numerous high-profile matches on the WTA Tour which would include finals at the most prestigious events such as Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Beijing and the year end WTA Finals. While full time working for the WTA Tour she as well officiated at several Grand Slam finals and the Olympics women's singles final at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, a notable highlight showcasing her exceptional skill and integrity. Her appointments in major matches such as the 2021 Wimbledon Men's Singles, 2017 Wimbledon Women's Doubles, 2015 US Open Women's Singles, 2014 Wimbledon Women's Singles, 2013 US Open Women's Doubles reflect her standing in the sport. Cicak's trailblazing path and contributions to tennis officiating have inspired a new generation of female officials in the sport, breaking barriers and setting new standards of excellence. 

Sandra Deveza is an International Beach Volleyball Referee and Physical Education Teacher from Portugal and has been a strong advocate for gender equality, women's empowerment, and human rights throughout her career.

A Physical Education Teacher, which is her main job and vocation since 2002. 

In the meanwhile, she has been a volleyball referee since 1996 and beach volleyball referee since 1998. With only 17 years, as an active player with a great passion for the sport, she discovered the role of referee, which opened door for refereeing career. Volleyball has been in her life since young ages and crossed all her stages of life, from a young adult, to an adult, to wife and mother of 2 children. Despite experiencing a lot of ups and downs and struggling in several fields, she was able to achieve the international level in beach volleyball in 2013 and showcase her talent at the World Championships in 2015. 

She holds a Master’s degree in Sports Science, from the University of Lisbon. She has been also a lecturer in coaches’ courses for Volleyball and Korfball and an expert for volleyball refereeing courses for years now. Professionally, she has also been a lecturer for teachers’ courses. For the last two years, she has taken over the responsibility to deliver volleyball (rules and refereeing) courses to young kids at schools. Some of these young school students have followed in their lecturer’s footsteps and become an official referee for the Portuguese Volleyball Federation.

Marie Denitton is the International coordinator of the Swedish Sports Confederation, the Office Director of ENGSO, the European Non-Governmental Sports Organisation, and the Gender Equality Rapporteur in the EPAS Consultative Committee. Marie has always been engaged in sports – as leader, member of the board, coach, employee and last but not least, as an engaged parent. She has been active in several sports, but equestrian is her main sport and she was a judge in dressage for more then 20 years. Her education is in business and marketing in her hometown, Linköping in Sweden. Marie believes in the power of grassroot sports, the importance of sport in society and the joy that sports bring into the life of so many people!

Charlotte Girard Fabre is Secretary General of IFSO, a handball and curling referee at national level and a former Olympic ice hockey referee.

I am 41 years old, I have been a high-level sportswoman since the age of 13, and I wish to represent this new generation of committed women. The quest for excellence and the requirement of performance led me to referee at the Olympic Games in Sochi (Russia) 2014 and Pyeonchang (South Korea) 2018, and I sharpen my skills and expertise every day to honor my 10 Olympic rings.

A fighter at heart and an explorer of new horizons, I push my limits in sport as well as in my professional life today and tomorrow. Decision-making, time management and conflict management are among my areas of expertise. Resolutely focused on excellence and performance, I accompany your teams collectively to develop a disruptive and pragmatic approach.

An ardent defender of gender diversity and the place of women in our society, I am also passionate about civic engagement: elected Secretary General of the International Federation for Sports Officials, Secretary General of the French Association of Multisport Referees and Ambassador of several think-tanks, I have also chosen to act at the highest institutional level (Ministries, UNSS, FFHB, ...).

The speaker has not yet provided their biography.

Ioanna Paraskevopoulou (BSc., MBA) is an EU and International Affairs Officer at the Cyprus Sports Organisation.  She studied Physical Education and Sport Science (University of Athens, Greece, 1995) and holds an MBA from the University of Cyprus (2009).

She has been employed by the Cyprus Sport Organisation since 1997, first in the National Sports for All department and then, since 2011, in the EU and International Affairs department.

She has been actively involved in EU matters mainly as national representative in the EU’s Working Party on Sports since 2011 and has vice-chaired it during Cyprus’ Presidency in 2012. Moreover, she has been a member of the EU expert groups with regards to “Sport and Health”, HEPA Focal Points Group” and “Strengthening the recovery and the crisis resilience of the sport sector during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic”.

Her expertise has been developed during the last 13 years in EU projects development, administration and management in topics such as sport and physical activity, good governance and volunteering in sport. Furthermore, since 2015 she has been the National Coordination of the European Week of Sport initiative in Cyprus.

As from June 2022, she is an elected member of the EPAS Bureau and Gender Equality Rapporteur for the Governing Board.

Dr Tom Webb is Associate Professor in the Centre for Business in Society at Coventry University, UK. He is an expert in the global management, leadership, operational environment and working practices of sports officials. Dr Webb has published extensively on the subject of sports officials, including over 40 peer reviewed journal articles and book chapters. In addition, Dr Webb has published four books including Referees, Match Officials and Abuse: Research and Implications for Policy (published in 2020) and a book on the subject of elite referees in football entitled, Elite Soccer Referees: Officiating in the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A (published in 2017). Tom has worked with a number of high-profile sporting organisations such as UEFA, The Premier League, The English FA, Dutch FA (KNVB), French FA (FFF), Italian Football Federation (FIGC), the Royal Spanish Football Federation, RFU, MCC, LTA, RFL and World Netball. Dr Webb’s research focuses on abuse, aggression and maltreatment of sports officials, the mental health and well-being of sports officials and the governance and careers of sports officials. He is the founder of the Referee and Match Official Research Network and contributes extensively across national and international media platforms including ESPN, BBC TV, BC 5 Live, SkySports, TalkSport, ITV, the Times, the Telegraph and the Guardian.

Francine Hetherington Raveney is an expert in the fields of: sport policy, gender equality, diversity, project management, script analysis, audiovisual co-productions, and communication, amongst others. She obtained a Masters Degree in English and French Literature at The Queen’s College, Oxford University (1992-1996), a Masters Degree in Women’s Studies at The Queen’s College, Oxford University (1996-1997) and then carried out doctoral studies in France in politics and literature at Strasbourg University (1997-1998).

Since 2000, she has worked in a number of international organisations, including the Council of Europe, where she was a project manager for the Eurimages film fund for 11 years (2009-2020), and WHO Europe (2004-2005) where she was a Managing Editor. She is the founder, former Executive Director and currently an Honorary Member of the European Women’s Audiovisual (EWA) Network. She is also a member of the New Dawn Film Fund jury and regularly teaches pitching and gives presentations at festivals and universities throughout Europe.

Since April 2021 she has worked as the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS), where she oversees resources, works with the Governing Board and partner organisations to ensure that topical thematic activities (such as gender equality, diversity, integrity and good governance in sport) and conferences (e.g. on combating gender-based violence in sport) are dealt with smoothly and effectively.

Sophie Kwasny is the Head of the Sport Division of the Council of Europe (international organisation based in France). She is responsible for the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) and for the promotion and implementation of ground-breaking legal instruments upholding the integrity and values of sport. Combating doping and the manipulation of sport competitions, and promoting an integrated safety, security and service approach at sports events are the key aims of the three Council of Europe Sport Conventions. She is a graduate of the Strasbourg Law University and has been working for the Council of Europe for 25 years on a variety of topics ranging from data protection to prisons’ reforms, or from the independence of the judiciary to nationality law. Her sole objective: Championing human rights in and through sport!

  Statement (only available in French)