On September 21 and 22, the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU and the European Commission organised in Tartu an international conference entitled Sport, Education, University: Joining Efforts for Athletes’ Dual Career and Active Societies. The Conference was followed by a Seminar on Healthy Lifestyle.

Estonian Academic Sports Federation (EASL), European University Sports Association (EUSA), as well as International University Sports Federation (FISU) and other key organisations active in the field of university sport, took part in the events.



The conference was dedicated to the opening of the 3rd European Week of Sport and celebrated also the 2nd International Day of University sport (IDUS). The Conference officially opened on September 21, following the IDUS activities the previous day.



University sport and dual careers were the main topics of the conference, which was opened by the Estonian Undersecretary for Sport at the Ministry of Culture Mr Tarvi Purn, Secretary General at the Ministry of Education and Research Ms Tea Varrak, Head of the Sport Unit at the European Commission Mr Yves Le Lostecque, President of the Universities of Estonia and the Rector of Tallinn University Mr Tiit Land, President of the International University Sport Federation Mr Oleg Matytsin and Olympian Gerd Kanter.



The first panel discussion, chaired by the Chair of the working group on sport of the Estonian presidency Ms Kairis Ulp, was focused on why society needs educated athletes. Apart of FISU President Mr Matytsin and Olympian Mr Kanter, the list of panellists also included Ms Claudia Bokel, Vice-President of the IOC and Mr Volli Kalm, Rector of the University of Tartu.



The afternoon sessions focused on combining sport and education, also identifying dual career challenges and solutions. The topic was introduced by Ms Agata Dziarnowska, Policy officer at the Sport Unit of the European Commission, with contributions of experts in dual careers.



The conference continued on Friday, with the session on importance of sport and physical activity for society, presenting theoretical basis as well as practical good practice examples. Friday afternoon session focused on importance of sport and physical activity at university, and was introduced by EUSA President Mr Adam Roczek.



Participants were also introduced to the national recommendations from the model of the Finnish Student Sports Federation (OLL), presented by its special advisor Mr Jussi Ansala.



Last panel discussion, moderated by the President of the European Network of Academic Sports Services (ENAS) Ms Michelle Tanner, tried to answer the question why should university deliver sport and physical activity. The set of panellists included Ms Verena Burk, FISU Senior Executive Committee member and lecturer at the University of Tubingen, Ms Netty Bekkers-Vos, Deputy Head of UM Sport at the Maastricht University, Mr Lorenz Ursprung, EUSA Executive Committee member and Head of Academic Sports Association of Zurich, Mr Ermo Tikk, Coordinator of student sport at the University of Tartu, and Mr Jussi Ansala from the Finnish Student Sports Federation.



The conference concluded with the closing remarks by Estonian Minister of Culture Mr Indrek Saar.



On September 22 in the afternoon, also a special seminar on healthy lifestyle was held at the Estonian National Museum in Tartu. Here, also, university sport was well-represented, with participation of both FISU and EUSA Presidents.



The Seminar was moderated by Mr Graham Watson, President of EuropeActive, and was opened by the Mayor of Tartu Mr Urmas Klaas, the European Commissioner for Health & Food Safety Mr Vyzenis Andriukaitis and the Estonian Minister of Culture Mr Indrek Saar.



FISU President Mr Matytsin took part in the round table on what does healthy lifestyle mean and how can we live more healthy lives.



EUSA President Mr Roczek took part in the round table on enabling the environment, making the healthy option the easy option.



After the concluding remarks by the European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Mr Tibor Navracsics, a special joint statement – Tartu Call for a Healthy Lifestyle – was signed by the Commissioners Navracsics and Andriukaitis, and General Director Mr Mario Milouchev, covering some of the key relevant sectors in the European Commission, vowing to work on making the EU more active and healthy.



The European Week of Sport will officially open on September 23 with the Children’s Cycling Festival and the Mountain Bike Marathon in Tartu.

For more information, please see www.eu2017.ee and https://ec.europa.eu/sport/.