From May 26 to 28, 2026, Peace and Sport participated in the annual plenary meeting of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) held at the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg. As Monaco prepares to assume the Chairmanship of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers from May to November 2026 – a historic first for the Principality – this institutional summit provided a premier strategic platform. The priorities of this Chairmanship include, notably, sport and the protection of children’s rights, themes that resonate deeply with Peace and Sport’s values.
Empowering youth for safe and healthy sport
The organization’s involvement began on May 26 during the all-day event entitled “Youth perspective for safe and healthy sport”. Working alongside 50 young leaders from 32 countries, Peace and Sport’s representative contributed to drafting key recommendations to make sport safer, healthier, more inclusive, and more respectful of children’s rights.
Strengthening institutional roots and the pivotal role
As an active member of the EPAS Advisory Committee since 2009, Peace and Sport works each year to reaffirm its fundamental pivotal role between grassroots organizations and institutional decision-makers.
This year, the organization, represented by International Relations and Advocacy Manager Mélissa Sassi, was invited to speak at the joint meeting bringing together the EPAS Executive Board, the Advisory Committee, and youth delegates. This unique forum for dialogue provided an opportunity to share concrete, field-tested solutions with the assembly.
The Peacemakers Project: measuring and capitalizing on impact
This working session highlighted a flagship initiative of Peace through Sport: the Peacemakers Project. Launched in 2021, this initiative is based on a strong conviction: sport alone does not automatically lead to peace, inclusion, or social cohesion. Impact depends structurally on how programs are designed and managed. It was emphasized that to ensure positive and sustainable outcomes, the challenge is to establish a replicable framework aimed at strengthening the autonomy of local organizations.
Safe sport : an absolute prerequisite
The discussions also provided an opportunity to advocate for the concept of “safe sport.” Peace and Sport defended a fundamental principle: a safe environment for sports is not an additional component, but rather the indispensable prerequisite for a sport program to operate and leave a positive legacy. This was an opportunity to highlight three essential pillars for protecting youth through sport:
- Local ownership: Project coordinators ensure that initiatives meet local needs.
- Continuing education: Educators are trained not only in sports pedagogy but also in identifying risks of abuse and inappropriate behavior, as well as reporting procedures within the sports context.
- A supportive environment: The methodologies used provide children with non-judgmental spaces for dialogue where they can naturally express their feelings.
This strategic vision is fully aligned with the upcoming EPAS Ministerial Conference, which Monaco will host for the very first time on November 3 and 4, 2026, with safe and healthy sports for children as its central themes.
