EUSA Convention and EUSA-FISU Seminar 2024 started in Salerno
The EUSA Convention and EUSA-FISU Seminar kicked off today in the beautiful coastal city of Salerno, Italy.
From 10th until 13th of October, EUSA and FISU representatives, members of EUSA Technical Commission, future Organizing Committees of the upcoming European Universities Championships 2025, and other delegates, will be gathered in Salerno for the EUSA Convention and EUSA-FISU Seminar. These two events are organized simultaneously for the very first time this year in the host city of the next European Universities Games 2026.
The official opening of the events started with the welcome greetings from Mr Lorenzo Lentini, CUS Salerno President and President of the Organizing Committee of the European Universities Games Salerno 2026, wishing everyone a warm welcome in Salerno and a successful convention and seminar ahead.
Opening words were as well given by Mr Adam Roczek, EUSA President, and Mr Leonz Eder, FISU President, wishing all participants a warm welcome while emphasizing the great growth of the continental federations and the importance of them in the development of university sport.
Both Mr Roczek and Mr Leonz pointed out that mutual work and great collaboration can make the future of university sports even brighter.
The official programme was moderated by Ms Sara Rozman, EUSA Education and Development Manager, and started with the first two presentations of What’s Up EUSA and What's Up FISU.
On behalf of EUSA, Mr Matjaz Pecovnik, EUSA Secretary General, gave an overview of the EUSA Projects and Activities. Various topics in relation to EUSA sports and educational events, meetings, projects, and other activities were presented. Mr Pecovnik presented the staff team of EUSA office, expressing great pride in the diversity and importance of teamwork.
FISU Projects and Activities were presented by Mr Fernando Parente, FISU Development & Healthy Campus Director, and Mr Tarmo Jaakson, FISU Development & NUSF Relations Manager, including FISU upcoming events, their strategy, and their programmes among which the Healthy Campus, the Step-Up programme 2025, and the CUSF Financial Support programme.
Next on the programme was the Panel Discussion: "EUSA Games 2024 and Championships 2023 - lessons learnt."
Ms Eszter Gulyas, EUSA Sports Coordinator moderated the panel, in which Mr Haris Pavletic, EUSA 1st Vice President, Mr Bruno Barracosa, EUSA Vice President, Ms Marianna Pikul, AZS International Relations Department, and Mr Peter Juhasz, MEFS Secretary General, were the speakers.
The panel involved discussions regarding the legacy of the European Universities Games and European Universities Championships. Regarding the Games, the panelists mainly shared the challenges and rewards, roles of the Competition Chairs, the importance of the participation in events of this level for the athletes and officials, involvement of volunteering, memories and correlation of past editions, and the meaning of the European Universities Games as one of the university sports events on European level.
When it comes to the European Universities Championships, the focus was given to the key factors of a successful EUCs, a short overview of the first European Universities Winter Championship organized, the difference between EUG and EUC, as well as the possibility of implementation of new sports on the EUSA sports programme. The panel was finished with a Q&A session, as well as a 30-second wrap-up of the last thoughts of the speakers. With this panel discussion, the official programme of the day was concluded.
In the following two days, the programme will continue with focusing on different important segments related to the Guidelines for Successful Organization of European Universities Championships of 2025 and social activity time involving sightseeing visit to the ancient place of Paestum.
The last day of the EUSA Convention and EUSA-FISU Seminar will start with a #BeActive activity, and will continue with the showcasing of the European Universities Championships 2025 and their presentations, as well as an active panel on the role of universities in the work of EUSA and FISU.
We are happy that the EUSA Convention and EUSA-FISU Seminar are serving as an opportunity for the participants to engage with each other, build stronger relationships, get aligned on goals, communicate better, work more efficiently, share resources, exchange ideas, and improve project outcomes.
The EUSA events in Salerno are hosted by the University of Salerno and CUS Salerno, supported by FISU, and co-financed by the European Union.