The 28^th World Congress of TAFISA (The Association for International Sport for All) concluded with a closing ceremony in Düsseldorf on Saturday evening. The 350 participants from 70 countries adopted a joint congress declaration in which they call for more resources worldwide to implement the human right “Sport for All”.

After four congress days, the 28^th World Congress of the international grassroots sports association TAFISA has come to a close. During this time, a total of three plenary sessions, 10 parallel sessions, three “Sport for All” excursions and four evening events took place. Under the motto “Sport for All: more together than ever”, over 350 participants from 70 countries discussed the key topics of inclusion in sport, sports spaces and infrastructure, sharing expertise and specialist knowledge, the impact of climate change on “Sport for All”, sport as a peacekeeper, human well-being and sports policy.

The congress participants adopted a joint congress declaration (in the original below) in which they call on global policymakers to take more intensive action and use more resources to implement the human right “Sport for All”. Specifically, the so-called “Call to Action” calls for orchestrated action by governments, the private sector, media, NGOs and global and regional institutions. The aim should be to make “‘Sport for All’ a mandate and not an option”.

Mr Wolfgang Baumann, President of TAFISA: “During the congress, we had the opportunity to experience the positive impact of the Sport for All movement. The success stories and statistics that were shared clearly show the lasting differences our collective efforts can make in society. Participants came together from different cultures from all corners of the world. As a result, the congress also sent a strong signal for peace and mutual understanding between people. Together we can be the driving force for positive change and create a better world for all through Sport for All. More together than ever!“

Mrs Kerstin Holze, Vice President of the German Olympic Sport Confederation (DOSB): “’Sport for All’ does not just mean getting people moving and promoting their health, it also means breaking down barriers, developing understanding and empathy and reaching out to one another. This is how we can unite people, societies and hopefully entire nations. The 28^th TAFISA World Congress provided impetus for the global grassroots sports movement through the warm and inclusive exchange between the participants. With the “Call-to-Action”, we are also calling on politicians to take more intensive action.”

Dr. Eva Selic, Vice President of the State Sport Confederation of Northrhine-Westphalia (LSB NRW): “Düsseldorf has shown this impressively: We need this international stage for grassroots sport, both to exchange future projects and ideas for their solutions as well as concerns and challenges. All participants could feel the special energy that emanates from the TAFISA World Congress and unites the most diverse nations worldwide. The efforts of the three-year preparation phase were more than rewarded by the valuable impulses.”

After Munich in 2003, this was the second time that the TAFISA World Congress was held in Germany. The congress is of great importance for the global development of grassroots sport, as international players enter into a multilateral exchange, including with the International Olympic Committee, the United Nations and the World Health Organization. At the heart of the work of TAFISA and its partners is the human right “Sport for All”, which goes back to the original Olympic movement around Pierre de Coubertin.