How can sport support children’s health and development while keeping them safe? This question shaped the 19th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport, held in Monaco under the theme “Safer and Healthier Sport for All Children”. Around 300 people, including 25 ministers and state secretaries, attended.
The Conference focused on two priorities: preventing and responding to violence and abuse, and promoting children’s physical and mental well-being. Discussions highlighted practical safeguarding measures, such as codes of conduct, safer recruitment, training and involving children in decisions that affect them.
The opening addresses were delivered by Prince Albert II of Monaco, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset and Leila Marques Mota, First Vice President of the International Paralympic Committee. Session I, “Building a common commitment to safer and healthier sport”, examined the challenges addressed in the draft resolution. Panellists included Charlie McConalogue, Gloria Viseras and Emily Karakoleva, followed by contributions from heads of delegation.
Lionel Beffre, Minister of the Interior of the Principality of Monaco, stressed that sport benefits children only when they can participate in a safe, respectful and inclusive environment. Measures discussed included clear safeguarding responsibilities, trained adults, codes of conduct, background checks and safeguarding requirements linked to public funding.
Participants also emphasised accessible reporting channels and reliable support. Safeguarding includes protecting children’s physical and mental health, preventing injuries and overtraining, tackling doping and avoiding excessive pressure to perform.
Delegations highlighted barriers to participation, including poverty, disability and geographical isolation. Mobile and free activities, financial support for families and the “Let’s Volley” project were among the initiatives discussed. Contributions also addressed the effects of the war in Ukraine on children’s access to sport and efforts to keep sports schools operating.
The afternoon session, “From commitment to action: delivering safer and healthier sport”, focused on turning commitments into practice. Discussions underlined the need for sustained co-operation between governments, sports organisations and specialists in child protection, education and health. They also highlighted practical safeguarding measures, risk assessment, accessible reporting channels and timely, independent responses when concerns arise.
The session also addressed children’s physical and mental well-being, including concussion and injury prevention, mental health, overtraining, doping and excessive performance pressure. Participants stressed that access to sport should not be limited by financial or disability-related barriers, and that progress should be assessed using reliable data, shared indicators and children’s own feedback.
The Conference concluded with the adoption of a resolution. The discussions called for safeguarding commitments to be implemented in sports organisations and local settings, with the Council of Europe and EPAS supporting shared learning and a child-rights-based approach.
On 3 November, a related event marked the 10th anniversary of the Saint-Denis Convention. Representatives from public authorities, sport and civil society discussed the Convention’s achievements and future challenges. Andorra and San Marino signed the Convention at a ceremony attended by Alain Berset.
