East meets West Expert Series
An Expert Roundtable organised by the Europe-Asia Centre, Brussels – July 2024
Sports diplomacy is a new term that describes an old practice: the unique power of sport to bring people, nations, and communities closer together via a shared love of physical pursuits. Through sport diplomacy is not new, the power of sport has never been more important for our current century – both for strengthening the fragmented people-to-people dialogue platforms and for mobilization of societies in pursuit for climate action.
Moreover, the Olympic Games embody a set of values that transcend borders and cultures. Excellence, respect, and friendship are at the core of the Olympic movement, inspiring individuals and communities worldwide. In the same spirit of inclusivity, the Special Olympics promote acceptance, understanding, and unity for individuals with disabilities, demonstrating the power of sports to foster inclusion and diversity.
In a world plagued by conflict, war, rhetoric, and division, the global community requires a counternarrative – one built on the belief that through sustained dialogue and cooperation, important progress can be made to empower those most on the margins, and make sure that no individual and country is left behind in the global fight against climate change. This approach can usher in an era of inclusive development that celebrates solidarity, unity, and mutual understanding, characterised by a shared commitment of all stakeholders towards the full achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs).
Participating high-level guests
H.E. Erik Solheim, Co-Chair of the Europe – Asia Center and former UN Undersecretary General and Executive Director of UN Environment Programme
Inge Andersen, former Secretary General of the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports
Participating experts
David S. Evangelista, President and Managing Director, Special Olympics Europe Eurasia, Special Olympics International (USA / Spain)
Peter Kauzer, Olympic Silver champion and World and European Champion in Slalom Canoeing (Slovenia)
Dr. Øyvind Sanbakk, Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, director of the Centre for Elite Sports (NTG), the Norwegian University of Science
Roundtable moderator
Mr Matic Gajsek, Director for Europe, Europe – Asia Center (Belgium)
Comments