Welcome to the focus sessions on leadership through gender equality in sport & dual career: effective strategies and future directions.

Collaborative governing and good governance (the focus of yesterday’s Ministerial Conference sessions) are key to the future development of sport policies. Collaborative governance relies on the participation of all in the decision-making and shaping of sport: starting with athletes, and including female athletes and leaders.

Leadership through both gender equality and the development of an effective system of dual career for athletes are also vital factors for a modern and balanced sport.

Changes in leadership configurations can only be achieved by implementing positive measures – hence the need to identify effective strategies.

Look forward to the ones that will be presented today.

The session will provide important input for the CoE when it comes to laying out new paths for the direction of our work in these areas.

Reference the pioneering work of the CoE on gender equality, including through gender mainstreaming across the CoE, the three gender equality strategies and the impact of the network of gender equality rapporteurs, including in EPAS’ Governing Board and Consultative Committee.

Refer to the CoE Recommendation on gender mainstreaming in sport (2015) and emphasise the CoE’s ongoing efforts to ensure that sports organisations actively promote greater gender equality, for example through the EPAS breakfast roundtables held annually on the occasion of International Women’s Day on 8 March.

Mention the flagship joint EU-CoE project All In Plus: promoting greater gender equality in sport (1 March 2023-28 February 2025) which seeks to highlight the benefits of greater gender equality in sport. Leadership is one of 6 indicators being measured; the results of two years of work will be shared in February at the closing event hosted by Luxembourg.

Stress the importance of dual career in developing well-rounded leaders, as referenced in the ESC – an area that EPAS will develop further.

Highlight how dual career helps athletes balance sporting ambitions with educational or professional careers, fostering leadership qualities that are crucial on and off the field. By connecting dual careers to leadership development in sport, it is possible to support personal growth and contribute to effective governance.

Thank the speakers for having accepted our invitation.

Look forward to thoughtful exchanges, wishing everyone a fruitful morning