On December 10, European University Sports Association and the EUSA Institute attended a conference “Preventing violence in Sport”, held in Ljubljana.

The main topic of the conference was how to prevent and resolve cases of violence in sports. Through the consultations was open the space for dialogue and joint research on how to provide athletes with safe, enjoyable, and stimulating sports training.

The event was organized by GIB Sports Association, within the framework of the SONKEI - Respect in Sport, Respect in Life project, which is fighting violence and intolerance in sport. It raises awareness of coaches, teachers, and youth people about violence and discrimination in sports. The project outcomes will be to give tools and a guidebook for sports coaches.



Two main speakers presented their ideas: Mr Ferry Stepancic chose a philosophical angle to emphasise the role of coaches in creating a safe environment for all using a philosophical angle. Mr Ales Solar represented the Slovenian Olympic Committee and presented the methods and tools put in place for preventing violence, explaining in more detail the ABC Transparency whistleblowing web platform accessible through the Slovenian Olympic Committee website.

Afterwards, all of the participants had the chance to exchange ideas on the theme of how to provide safe and stimulating sports training for all athletes. During the discussion, participants were separated into groups and together prepared common conclusions on some of the most relevant questions, like what steps can be taken to spread the ideas for the prevention of violence for all groups of people.



EUSA through its Institute has been invited as a guest, due to the activities and projects in the field of safeguarding in sport. We are currently in the finishing phases of the HALT project on Halting Harassment and Abuse in Sports using Learning Technologies; while some years ago we have participated in the Voices for Truth and Dignity (VOICE) project and the Prevention of Sexualized Violence in Sports.

The most recent project HALT developed new learning technologies and tools which are available through the online platforms:
- digital game, also available through an app (HALT Serious Game for Android - Google Play);
- movie and video clips;
- whistleblowing service;
- online community of practice.