The 6th IWG Conference on Women and Sport was held in Helsinki, Finland between June 12 and 15, 2014 under the main theme ”Lead the Change – Be the Change”. 

More than 800 participants from nearly 100 countries attended the conference, which was organized under the aegis of the International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG), hosted by Valo, the Finnish Sports Confederation, and facilitated by the support from the Ministry of Culture and Sport, Finland, the cities of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa, and numerous national sport organisations and other stakeholders. Ms Tarja Halonen, Former President of the Republic of Finland, served as the conference Patron.

The conference was organized in cooperation with the following international and regional organisations: International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC); United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO; World Health Organization (WHO); United Nations Office for Sport, Development and Peace (UNOSDP), Association of Sport for All (TAFISA), Conference of Youth and Sport of French-Speaking Countries (CONFEJES), International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE), International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD), Special Olympics, European Non-Governmental Sports Organisation (ENGSO), European Olympic Committees (EOC), International University Sports Federation (FISU), IWG NGO members Women Sport International (WSI) and International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Girls and Women (IAPESGW), under the patronage of Mrs Androulla Vassiliou, EU Commissionaire and under the auspices of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr Thorbjorn Jagland.

The distinguished speakers of the Opening Ceremony included Mrs Raija Mattila, IWG Co-Chair; Mrs Tarja Halonen, former Finnish President; Mr Thomas Bach, IOC President; Mrs Androulla Vassiliou, EU Commissionaire and other prominent speakers.

The conference underlined the importance to “Lead the Change, Be the Change” especially under the conference subthemes: 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 and SPORT WITHOUT FEAR – Sport as a safe haven & bastion for human rights.

The participants celebrated the achievement of positive changes experienced by women and girls in the field of sport and physical activity since the adoption of the Brighton Declaration on Women and Sport (1994). The participants identified the persistent barriers which impede equal opportunities for women and girls to be involved in sport at all levels and in all functions and roles of sport and physical activity. Reinforcement of the Brighton Declaration on Women and Sport has also been called upon and that the conclusions and recommendations on the conference themes are to be endorsed as guidance for future developments in order to accelerate positive change.

University sport was represented by FISU, having a promotional stand and running a session entitled: “University Sport: Walking towards effective quality”. The event was attended also by representatives of FISU and EUSA member federations.

The Brighton Declaration on Women and Sport was adopted at the first international conference on women and sport in Brighton, UK in 1994. Since then, over 400 organisations world-wide have signed it, including the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and the European University Sports Association (EUSA).

More information: www.iwg-gti.org