EWS at EuroGames Vienna 2024
EWS Committee member Sarah Townsend and EWS researcher Angelica Saenz participated in the EuroGames Vienna 2024 which took place in Vienna, Austria, from 17-20 July 2024.
The EuroGames are an annual event that celebrates diversity, equality, and inclusion through sports and culture, and includes a range of exciting sports competitions, cultural events, and social activities. LGBTIQ+ visibility in sports can help to combat discrimination, promote inclusion, and create a more welcoming and accepting environment for all athletes.
Both, EWS Committee member Sarah Townsend and EWS researcher Angelica Saenz, took part in the LGBTIQ+ Sport Conference which discussed how we can challenge the existing structures and build a more inclusive sports community. The insights from this conference have highlighted the crucial role of policy changes and community engagement in making sports accessible and welcoming to everyone, showing that inclusivity in sports is not just a possibility but a necessity, paving the way for a more united and equitable sporting environment.
They also presented the current and ongoing EWS research and survey on the impact of gender equality and LGBTQI+ policies in European sport. The research is a joint effort with the Sport Unit of the European Commission, with the EPAS of the Council of Europe, and with the Global Observatory on Gender Equality. You can answer the questionnaire here.
Follow the work of EWS here: www.engso-education.eu/ews-2024
All participants received background materials used by the speakers to concretely adopt some of the tips presented in their daily work.