Remarks of the Director General
Closing Event of the CoE / EU Joint Project: Sport For All
Dear partners, dear colleagues,
It’s a pleasure to welcome you to the closing event of the “Sport For All”: Promoting inclusion and combatting discrimination against persons with disabilities” project.
Over the past 18 months, this joint project of the European Union and the Council of Europe has brought together partners from across Europe around a shared objective: ensuring that sport is truly accessible to everyone, regardless of ability or disability.
At the Council of Europe, we believe that sport goes far beyond simply physical activity or competition.
Sport is a powerful driver of human dignity, democratic participation, social cohesion and equal opportunities.
This conviction is reflected in the revised European Sports Charter, which is a recommendation by our Committee of Ministers adopted in 2021.
The Charter places inclusion, equality and non-discrimination at the centre of sports governance and calls on public authorities and sports organisations to remove barriers that prevent participation.
Yet we know that many persons with disabilities continue to face barriers that limit their access to sport and physical activity.
Addressing these barriers requires not only political commitment, but also concrete solutions, partnerships and ongoing efforts at all levels.
This is why initiatives such as Sport for All are so important.
Inclusive sport is simply good sport. It is an essential component of modern, democratic and sustainable sports systems. When sport becomes more accessible for persons with disabilities, it benefits everyone.
Through our standards, our intergovernmental cooperation and our partnerships with the European Union and the sports movement, we will continue to promote a vision of sport that reflects our shared values: human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Let me conclude by thanking the European Union, all participating countries, the focal points, partner organisations and experts who have contributed to this important initiative.
Your engagement demonstrates that meaningful progress is possible when we work together around a common vision.
Every child, every young person and every adult with or without a disability should have the opportunity to participate in sport, develop their potential and enjoy the many benefits that sport can bring.
This vision must continue to guide our work.
Thank you.
