Between June 12 and 15, 2014, the world will unite in Helsinki, Finland to explore intersections of gender and sport. The organisers warmly welcome all the interested participants to join the 6th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport, to be organized under the overall theme "Lead the Change – Be the Change".

The story of the International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG) began in 1994 with the first World Conference on Women and Sport in Brighton, UK, and the debut of the Brighton Declaration on Women and Sport. Chapter by chapter, the story has continued with the help of thousands of dedicated women and men around the world. You are invited to join the movement and work with us towards our shared mission "Empowering women – Advancing sport".

As gender equality and equity is very important for university and student sport, the governing bodies of European University Sports Association (EUSA), as well as the International University Sports Federation (FISU) have signed the Brighton Declaration in the past and are working on the issue. We are happy to report that the IWG Conference will also include a 1,5-hour parallel session “University Sport: Walking towards effective equality” and will be coordinated by FISU. EUSA will also be represented at the event.

The conference is the biggest sports seminar in Finland in years, and the organisers are expecting over 500 participants from all over the world: athletes, coaches, scholars, sports leaders and grassroots activists. Looking through the lenses of theory, policy, and practice, the status quo will be challenged, fostering discussion and debate, enhancing the toolkits, developing a strong networ and inspiring change.

The conference subthemes concentrate around five key topics: 

• MOVE ME! Physical activity, health & well-being for life

• BUCK THE TREND - Leading the change in sport policy

• 100% SPORT - Enhancing participation through creativity & innovation

• BE YOUR BEST COACH - Pursuing excellence in leadership & coaching

• SPORT WITHOUT FEAR - Sport as a safe haven & bastion for human rights

The online registration to the conference is open, and the reduced registration fee is valid until April 1, 2014.

For more information about the IWG and the conference:

• see the official website (including program and online registration): www.iwg-gti.org

• follow the IWG on Facebook: IWGWomenSport

• connect on Twitter: IWGWomenSport

Conference speakers include: 

Former President of Finland Ms Tarja Halonen, Patron in Chief and Chair of the Honorary Committee of the 6th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport

Ms Raija Mattila, IWG Co-Chair, International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG)

Mr Peter Tallberg, IOC Member

Sir Philip Craven, President, International Paralympic Committee (IPC)

Dr. Fiona Bull, Professor of Physical Activity and Public Health, Centre for Built Environment and Health, School of Population Health, University of Western Australia

Dr. Kari Fasting, Professor Emerita, Past President, WomenSport International (WSI) 

Dr. Margaret Talbot, Professor, OBE, FRSA; President, International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE) 

Ms Androulla Vassiliou, Member of the European Commission, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism, Sport, Media and Youth

Dr. Johanna Adriaanse, IWG Co-Chair, International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG); Senior Lecturer in Sport Management, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia

Dr. Timothy Armstrong, Coordinator of the Surveillance and Population-based Prevention Unit, Department of Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases, World Health Organization (WHO)

Dr. Rosa López de D’Amico, President, International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Girls and Women (IAPESGW)

Ms Claudia Bokel, IOC Athletes’ Commission Chair

Ms Muffy Davis, Paralympian athlete, United States

Ms Anita L. DeFrantz, Member of the IOC Executive Committee, Chairperson of the IOC Women and Sport Commission

Ms April Heinrichs, Technical Director US Soccer, FIFA

Mr Wilfried Lemke, Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace to the UN Secretary-General, United Nations Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP)

Ms Beng Choo Low, Vice President, Olympic Council of Malaysia

Ms Ruth Maphorisa, IWG Co-Chair 2014-2018, International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG)

Ms Keneilwe Mathibela, Football Coach, Youth Development through Football, South Africa

Ms Armelle Mazé, Co-President, European Gay & Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF)

Dr. Rosaura Méndez Gamboa, Assessor; Chair of the Gender Equality Committee, International University Sport Federation (FISU)

Dr. Etsuko Ogasawara, Professor of Sport Management, Juntendo University, Japan

Ms Beckie Scott, Chair of Athlete Committee, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

Patron of the Conference: President Tarja Halonen

Principle partners: Finnish Sports Confederation Valo and Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture

Coordinating Partners: Finnish Olympic Committee, Finnish Paralympic Committee, cities of Helsinki, Vantaa and Espoo, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, Sports Museum of Finland, and Heureka, the Finnish Science Centre

In support with International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC)

Co-sponsored by World Health Organization (WHO)

In partnership with United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP), Association of Sport for All (TAFISA), la Conférence des Ministres de la Jeunesse et des Sports de la Francophonie (CONFEJES), International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD), International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE), Special Olympics, European Non-Governmental Sports Organisation (ENGSO), and European Olympic Committees (EOC); In association with International University Sports Federation (FISU)

Under the patronage of Mrs Androulla Vassiliou, Member of the European Commission

Under the auspices of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr Thorbjørn Jagland

IWG NGO Members: Women Sport International (WSI) and International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Girls and Women (IAPESGW)

Corporate Partners: National Lottery of Finland, Veikkaus; Lumene and Vallila Interior