November 2022

The International University of La Rioja (UNIR) and the European Athlete as Student (EAS) signed an agreement this past September under which UNIR will be part of a network comprising more than 50 European institutions.

This agreement will apply to all UNIR students, specifically those studying the Degree in Sports Science, who will be able to access this dual career training programme and participate in all the events held by the EAS, such as conferences, courses and debates.

Antonio Sánchez Pato, Director of the Sports Sciences Area of UNIR, from the Faculty of Health Sciences, will represent the university in the new EAS board of directors for the 2023 – 2026 period.

About UNIR

The International University of La Rioja (UNIR) is the largest Spanish-language online university in the world, present in Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, and the United States. Since its founding in 2009, one of UNIR’s greatest innovations in education was the implementation of a 100% digital and personalized methodology. More than 140,000 graduates have learnt in its virtual classrooms.

UNIR has around 65,000 students enrolled from 86 different countries, who attend classes at the place and time of their choice. They can select among a vast catalogue of 320 university degrees (195 of which are official), that is constantly updated according to current market demand.

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During the European Fair Play Movement (EFPM) congress held in the City Hall of Rome on November 4, 2022 Philippe Housiaux, President of the European Fair Play Movement and Laura Capranica, President European Athlete as Student, signed a Memorandum of Understanding aiming to promote and to develop education and fair play in Europe. In enforcing tolerance and respect for competitors, EFPM reflects a philosophy of life based on universal ethical values of integrity, democracy, equality, inclusion, sustainability, and education in sport. In sharing the fundamental human rights of the sportspersons to play and education, EAS and EFPM are committed to contribute to sustain the values of the European Union in and through sport and the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

The cooperation between EFPM and EAS intends to combine energies and resources to exchange educational tools for their respective network, to achieve their aims and objects, and to disseminate the concept of Dual Career values and Fair Play on the largest scale possible. EAS and EFPM will establish a two-year calendar programme to integrate the Fair-Play and Dual Career concepts in their activities, educational tools, scientific research, and networking activities. In particular, the EAS and EFPM events will provide opportunities for mutual promotion and communication to raise awareness, to deepen knowledge, and to foresee innovative programmes and projects for the continuous development of Dual Career and Fair Play in sports.

Dr. Kole Gjeloshaj (Chair of the Bureau of the CC Committee of EPAS-Council of Europe, ISF) coordinated the 2022 EFPM Congress focused on the education goal to overcome the Gender Discrimination in Sport. Prof. Romana Caput-Jogunica (University of Zagreb) introduced the keynote speeches by Prof. Nicolas Delorme (University of Bordeaux), who presented the high-level transversal and key cross cutting themes of the recent report of the EC High Level Working Group on Equality in Sport, and by dr. Sanda Čorak (President of the Croatian Judo Federation), who focused on the practical recommendations of the EC High Level Report and their impact on the leadership, governance and coaching of the EFPM members.

Dr. Sanda Čorak (President of the Croatian Judo Federation), Prof. Caterina Pesce (University of Rome Foro Italico, Joy of Moving), Prof. Laura Capranica (University of Rome Foro Italico, EAS), Mr. Charles Camenzuli (President of the International Sports Press Association), Mrs. Sara Carfoli (Italian Committee of Movement Sciences-CISM), and Dr. Flavia Guidotti (University of Rome Foro Italico) participated in a panel session on the role of Fair Play for the enhancement of Gender Equality and Peace, moderated by Dr. Kole Gjeloshaj.

Finally, Prof. Thierry Zintz (Catholic University of Leuven, EOSE) coordinated four group discussions with facilitators, which contributed to the congress declaration.