September 2026
On September 22-23, 2026 EAS attended in Dublin the Irish Presidency Conference on Traditional Sports and Games at the Croke Park Stadium followed by the official Opening of the European Week of Sport at the National Indoor Arena of the Sport Ireland Campus, respectively.
On September 23, Mr. Charlie McConalogue, the Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy, opened the Presidency Conference by welcoming the delegated of leading sport organisations, sport federations, European networks, and policymakers. The event encompassed plenary sessions on the role of traditional sports and games (TSGs) across Europe and Sports as a cultural heritage, and parallel thematic sessions. In the morning, the parallel thematic sessions addressed the theme “Pathways to Growth” with a focus on “Diversity” and on “Social Inclusion and Disability”. In the afternoon, Patrick O’Donovan, Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport offered the ministerial keynote, followed by the parallel thematic sessions on “Sports and Changing Demographics” and “Sustainability and Sport – The Role of Traditional Sports and Games”
Georg Hausler, Director for Culture, Creativity and Sport at the European Commission (DG EAC) and Sarah Lynch, Deputy Head of Unit of the European Commission (DG EAC), presented the main findings of the newly published 2026 Eurobarometer on Sport and Physical Activity (https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/3685).
During the conference discussions, Andrej Pisl, EUSA Institute, indicated the opportunity to empowers people and sporting communities through the opportunity for direct participation in decision-making and civic dialogue offered by the European Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) project “Give Sport a Say”, in which EAS is partner.
Georg Hausler (EAC) and Feargal O’Coigligh, Secretary General at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport presented closing reflections of the Presidential Conference. At the end of the event, the participants had the opportunity to visit the Croke Park Stadium, experience the demonstration of Irish Guild of Hurley Makers, and be introduced to traditional Gaelic games.
The following day was dedicated to the opening of the European Week of Sport (September 23-30). In line with the celebration of the #BeActice initiatives, the participants engaged in para-sports activities, followed by the formal launch ceremony of this important European initiative, which was moderated by the paralympian athlete Ellen Keane.
Patrick O’Donovan, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, and Charlie McConalogue, Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy offered opening speeches. Remarks from the European Commission were provided by the video message of Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, and an intervention of Georg Hausler, Director for Culture, Creativity and Sport. On behalf of Sport Ireland, participants were also welcomed by John Foley, Chairperson and Una May, CEO.
As an official partner of the European Week of Sport, EAS engaged in an open dialogue with European policy makers and partner organisations devoted to the development of a European discourse of sport.
For more information and the video of the European Week of Sport is available at https://sport.ec.europa.eu/european-week-of-sport
The members of the EAS Executive Board Laura Capranica, Risto Keskitalo, and António Figueiredo were invited as guest speakers at the Dual Career International Seminar of Associação Brasileira Sobre Dupla Carreira Esportiva (V SIDUCA, https://www.dcbrasil.org) in Brasília, Brazil. The seminar hosted by the University of Brasília took place from 31 August to 2 September.
The event brought together 116 delegates from eight countries: Brazil, Portugal, Italy, Finland, Spain, Türkiye, Uruguay, and Colombia. Discussions focused on good practices from different countries and universities, while also providing an important platform for exchanging views on emerging trends and future perspectives in dual career.
The seminar represented an important opportunity to strengthen relationships between countries, associations, universities, and the sport sector, with the aim of fostering a shared global understanding of the main challenges, needs, and expectations related to dual career. These exchanges provide a valuable foundation for future international collaboration.
On the first day, Laura Capranica delivered a keynote presentation entitled “European Sport and Education: Dual Career as an Alliance for Health.” Addressing the relevance of dual career from a European perspective, Professor Capranica highlighted European efforts to strengthen partnerships in sport and education, as well as ongoing projects in which EAS is a partner: DiscoverU (101134052), which aims to enhance university sport and the qualifications of elite athletes in preparation for the labour market; FIND ME (101134043), which aims to develop an evidence-based, user-friendly European platform specifically tailored to dual career at university level; FOCUS (101243801), which supports dual career athletes in their transition towards professional sport; and Give Sport a Say (101253838), which aims to implement 16 events across Europe to facilitate in-depth discussions and gather ideas to advance European culture in and through sport. The latter is co-funded by the European Union through the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme, under the Citizens’ Engagement call.
Risto Keskitalo contributed to the session on international experiences in dual career, presenting the main aspects of the Kastelli Upper Secondary Sports School (Finland) approach. His presentation was very well received and generated considerable interest among the participants.
The final conference of the seminar, held on the third day, was delivered by Professor António Figueiredo under the title “Dual Career: Policies, Praxis and Innovation for a Sustainable Future.” His presentation provided an opportunity to bring together the main contributions and discussions from the seminar, while also highlighting key directions and priorities for the future development of dual career.
A final word of appreciation goes to the organisers of this important event, with a special mention to Professor Felipe Costa, a key driving force behind dual career initiatives and development efforts in South America. His commitment has been instrumental in strengthening the dual career community and promoting international dialogue in the field.
The “Find Me” and “FOCUS” projects are co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
The “Give Sport a Say: give citizens a real say for the future of the EU in and through sports” project is co-funded by the European Union through the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme, within the Citizens engagement call.
REG. NUMBER: Voluntary Organisation registration VO/1270
PIC NUMBER: 913459865
Email: info@dualcareer.eu