The 17^thCouncil of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport met on October 27^th in Antalya. The conference’s programme “Inclusion of migrants and refugees through sport: Assessing current best practices, identifying vulnerabilities and finding ways to move forwards” assembled representatives of the 46 Council of Europe Member States and representatives of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) Consultative Committee.

To address the best practices to contribute to the implementation of the Council of Europe Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the context of migration and asylum in Europe as far as inclusion through sport, the conference set up roundtables for experts to contribute to the topic.

Aya Medany, Peace and Sport’s Champion for Peace and member of the IOC’s Athletes’ Commission, participated in the first roundtable and shared her experience of the ‘Live Together’ program created in 2017 by Peace and Sport. Aya Medany introduced the educational, social and developmental needs of refugees of all ages and explained how sporting activities can increase their quality of life. Moreover, she outlined the challenges encountered in the implementation of the program and the need for stronger involvement of National Federations to foster inclusion.

During the session, two resolutions were adopted. Firstly, the Russian Federation’s aggressions towards Ukraine were condemned and the ministers expressed their support towards displaced refugees while emphasizing the role that sport can play in facilitating their inclusion. In the second resolution, the benefits of the inclusion of sport in society were reiterated, calling for sustainable sport policies.

Peace and Sport is honored to have taken part in the 17^th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport in Antalya and to count with the advocacy efforts of Champions for Peace in the promotion of peace through sport.