The Annual General Assemblies of ENGSO, the European Non-Governmental Sport Organisation and ENGSO Youth were held, together with accompanying events between May 15 and 18 in Nice, France. The European University Sports Association (EUSA) was represented by Mr Andrej Pisl, Communications and Projects Manager.

Within the ENGSO Youth activities, thematic sessions under the title "Will to excel? Play smart! - Mapping Youth Employability and Sport" were organised. Topics of education, life skills and employment were presented by Mr Milos Milenkovic from Serbia and developing life skills through sport by Ms Johanna Belz from Germany.

The ENGSO EU Seminar which followed, informed participants about the recent developments at the European level. The seminar kicked off with an EU sport policy update presented by Mr Yves Le Lostecque, Head of Sport Unit of the European Commission, presenting topics like the Erasmus+ Programme, the European Week of Sport and the EU Council Work Plan 2014-2017, among others. Mrs Heidi Pekkola, ENGSO Sports Policy Director, gave feedback and expressed the position of ENGSO on the future EU Work Plan 2014-2017. 

Having discussed the latest EU issues, the attention was turned towards the Council of Europe, namely towards the Convention on the fight against manipulation of sports competitions, which is expected to be ratified this year. Mr Harri Syvasalmi, Chairman of the EPAS Convention Drafting Committee and representative of the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, gave a comprehensive presentation on the Convention's background, purpose, and main objectives.

The focus of the EU Seminar was then shifted to the EU Proposal for Strategic Action 2014-2020 on Gender Equality in Sport, presented by Mrs Sallie Barker, ENGSO Executive Committee Member. She especially highlighted the EU Proposal's objectives and activities on gender quality in coaching.

Mrs Romana Caput-Jogunica, Executive Committee Member presented the EU Action Plan on Childhood Obesity 2014-2020, plan endorsed by the Greek Presidency with the goal to stop the rise in overweight and obesity of children and youth.

The last topic of the EU Seminar was the Eurobarometer on Sport and Physical Activity 2013, a survey collecting data in 28 EU Member States on sport and physical activity. The main findings concerning sports organisations were introduced by ENGSO Assistant Ms Orsolya Tolnay, raising awareness about survey and the importance it can have in the European evidence-based policy making.

ENGSO events in nice continued with the main events - General Assemblies. ENGSO Youth General Assembly was opened by its President Mr Jan Holze and ENGSO President Mrs Birgitta Kervinen. ENGSO Youth delegates and guests were informed about the activities and projects in 2013/2014, from the last Assembly. Future work program was discussed, with a special thematic focus on youth employment and its relation to the sport sector.

At the ENGSO General Assembly, the opening part was held on May 16 in the evening. ENGSO President Birgitta Kervinen officially opened the 22nd ENGSO General Assembly. Her opening speech was followed by a presentation by Mr Friedrich Stickler, the President of the European Lotteries, ENGSO's partner. The floor was also given to Mr Claude Azema, the representative of the hosting organisation, the French Olympic Committee.

The ENGSO Assembly continued the next day. After the welcoming addresses and introductory messages, the Annual report was presented by ENGSO President Mrs Kervinen, Vice-President Mr Predrag Manojlovic, Secretary General Mrs Helena Carlsson and other representatives. The presentation of the Treasurer's and Auditor's reports followed. ENGSO Action Plan 2014 and future of ENGSO were also discussed and adopted.

As EUSA is a partner organisation of both ENGSO and ENGSO Youth, the events were used also to further strengthen the cooperation and discuss activities on specific existing and new projects.

More information on ENGSO can be found at www.engso.eu and on www.youth-sport.net for ENGSO Youth.