In December 2013, Trentino and the Province of Trento are hosting the Winter Universiade, Conference and Executive Committee meeting of the International University Sports Federation (FISU). FISU EC meeting was held on December 8 and 9. The Minister of Sports in the Region, Mr Tiziano Mellarini opened the meeting by reaffirming the full support of local and regional political authorities for hosting the 26th Winter Universiade in Trentino. He also stressed the importance of this Universiade for the inhabitants of the region and the particular nature of this event bringing together students from about 50 different countries.

Mr Sergio Anesi, OC President and Mr Paolo Bouquet, Vice-Rector of the Trento University reported on the preparation for the Trentino Games. Presentation of the progress report of the next Winter Universiade events followed; the Winter Universiade 2015 in Granada (ESP) and Winter Universiade 2017 in Almaty (RUS). FISU President Mr Claude-Louis Gallien congratulated the work done by the OCs on behalf of the Executive Committee.

Mr Stefan Bergh, President of the Committee for the Development of University Sport (CDSU) pointed out, among other things, the importance of adopting sustainable development within the FISU guiding principles.  Mrs Alison Odell, President of the EDUC Commission of FISU gave an update on cultural events including the preparation of the Winter Universiade Conference and also on the 2014 Forum to be held in Gwangju in March. Mrs Rosaura Mendez, Chair of the Committee for Gender Equality (CGE) took stock of ongoing activities within the Committee and in particular on the presence of CGE at the 6th World Conference on Women and Sport (IWG) to be held in Helsinki in June 2014.

On December 9, the meeting focused on the reports of the Summer Universiade OCs for 2013 and 2015. Kazan 2013 was the first item on the agenda with the final reports by both the FISU Committees and the Organising Committee. Under the leadership of Mr John Warnock, Chair of the International Technical Committee for the SU, the different aspects of the Universiade were discussed and more particularly that of the legacy of the games. Mr Omar Al-Hai and Mr Lawrence Rink presented reports on the accreditation of the games and the medical aspects, carried out in exemplary manner. FISU President thanked the OC delegates and wished Kazan plenty of success in its future achievements. Then the floor was given to the delegation of Gwangju to present its progress report. The Organizing Committee of the 28th Summer Universiade is indeed at a turning point and will from January 2014 shift into the next stages of its organization. The Universiade Supervision Committee will visit Korea in March and the second inspection of the CTI at full strength is foreseen in the spring of 2014.

Mrs Verena Burk then presented the report of the Media and Communication Committee and spoke about the FISU Young Reporters’ Programme in Kazan and announced plans to continue in the future and especially at the Gwangju Universiade in 2015. Dejan Susovic, FISU Director of Media & Broadcasting presented the report on the TV coverage during the Universiade in Kazan which was exceptional and also leaves a considerable legacy. Mrs Vanessa Aiello, Director of Marketing presented the outlines of her long-term marketing plan to find new partners for FISU and also to improve the brand image and visibility of FISU. Finally, the Department of World University Championships presented its work plan for the next six years as well as its proposals to improve the management of the sports programme.