Objectives

The annual Forum on Sport and Human Rights aims to create the opportunity for exchanges between specialists from different sectors and also to showcase the work of the Council of Europe in specific thematic areas. It addresses emerging challenges to human rights in the sports context and aims to enable closer co-operation and explore avenues for further action to be taken.

The 4th edition of the Forum on Sport and Human Rights focused on two issues pertaining to health and well-being in sport:

• Mental health and sport;
• Women’s health and sport.

These two areas of course overlap and are both strategic priorities for the Council of Europe’s sport Division.

Methodology

The Forum consisted of a one-day event divided into two sections:

• Morning webinar (hybrid format – online and in person in Paris):

This webinar was open to the public, with panels looking into the positive and negative elements linked to both thematic areas, including best practice examples, and bringing together a strong array of speakers from international organisations, national public authorities, sports bodies, athletes with lived experience, and other international experts, as well as representatives from throughout the Council of Europe.

• Afternoon workshops (hybrid format – online and in person in Paris):

There were two simultaneous workshops on each of the above-mentioned topics and in each case the goal will be to brainstorm as to how the Council of Europe’s Sport Division, and more widely the Council of Europe, can provide added value in each of these areas in terms of upcoming deliverables.

Participation

Participants in the Forum included:

• EPAS Governing Board members;
• EPAS Consultative Committee members;
• Representatives of relevant Council of Europe bodies;
• Representatives of sports organisations not members of the Consultative Committee;
• Representatives of institutions and organisations specialised in the protection of health, both local and national/international.