EUSA celebrates #letsidus and #beactive campaigns also in 2022

Also this year, the European University Sports Association (EUSA) is celebrating the International Day of University Sport (#LetsIDUS) and the European Week of Sport (#BeActive and #HealthyLifestyle4All). Main celebration was held during the EUSA Convention 2022 in Kranjska Gora. Members of the EUSA Office, EUSA Technical Commission with Delegates and future organizers of European Universities Championships had the chance to celebrate these campaign and initiatives with eductional as well as sports programme.

The early morning of September 23, was a #beactive morning, inviting the participants of the technical meeting to run to the nearby lake Jasna.

Starting from the hotel where the Convention was held, the group had a very active run to the beautiful lake, marking the start of the few #letsidus #beactive and #letsidus activities planned to take part of EUSA Convention’s program.

Later in the morning, the second #letsidus #beactive sports activity happened, giving the whole group of EUSA Technical Commission and EUSA Office, the chance to choose between having an adrenaline zip-lining activity or an to go cross-country skiing.

Half of the group, had an amazing adrenaline adventure, on the zip line track, enjoying their time and celebrating the start of the European Week of Sport. Having some of the participants, successfully trying this sport for the first time, inside cross country skiing was a great opportunity to celebrate the International Day of University Sport and the European Week of Sport, too.

In the afternoon of September 24, after a productive working session at EUSA Convention, the participants enjoyed the joint #letsidus #beactive activity. The group visited Vitranc Hall in Kranjska Gora, where they had the opportunity to show their competitive, sports spirit.

Participants had the chance to play badminton and to learn the rules of the sport. Shooting hoops and having a match in 3x3 basketball was also part of the sports activities. The majority of the group had a few fun, active and competitive matches in volleyball.

EUSA was otherwise also represented at the official activities related to the European Week of Sport, which were held in the Czech capital Prague between September 21 and 23.

In Prague, special workshops were held, related to the Healthy Lifestyle For All initiative, and especially putting forward the #HealthyLifestyle4All Youth Ideas Labs, where the voices of youth participants were put forward.

Reflecting on the Youth Ideas Labs 2022

As part of the Healthy Lifestyle For All campaign, the European Commission launched Youth Ideas Labs in spring this year, enhancing the #HealthyLifestyle4All and #BeActive campaigns, and also highlighting the importance of youth in the European Year of Youth.

European University Sports Association (EUSA) was one of the invited organisations to nominate youth representatives, who presented their ideas at the EU Sport Forum in Lille in June, as well as at the events related to the Opening of the European Week of Sport in Prague in September. The group also met in August for a working meeting in Brussels.

EUSA nominated the youth delegates also as ambassadors of the HealthyLifestyle4All directly, and also in cooperation with the European Gay & Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF) and the European Athlete as Student (EAS) – Dual Career Network; and also had its Communications and Project Manager as one of the facilitators.

EUSA nominated delegates that took part in at least one of the in-person events (in alphabetical order): Carolina Sousa E Sa (Portugal/Scotland), Conor Oisin Kavanagh (Ireland), Federico Palumbo (Italy), Filipa Godinho (Portugal), Flobena Nikolli (Albania), Leonardo Mikac (Croatia), Marianna Pikul (Poland), Mariano Carcatella (Italy/Slovenia), Sara Gaspar (Hungary) and Zrinka Tabain (Croatia/Denmark).

We asked two of our ambassadors to share their feedback from the initiative:

Marianna Pikul (AZS - Poland):
Being part of the HealthyLifestyle4All has been a great experience – both on the professional level as well as the personal one. It is very unique, that we could work in a group of people coming from many different countries on the same –very important for all – topic. It is an initiative that allows young people to have their say on the meaningful subject, such as a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, I felt that we had the freedom to explore and come up with initiatives that will be heard – and they were, on a few occasions.
As a group, we took part both in Sport Forum in Lille in June, as well as in European Week of Sport in Prague in September. On both occasions, we could present our ideas. Additionally, we met in Brussels to work on the initiative as well as meet with representatives of the European Commission. Except for the exchange of ideas and work on the presentations, it has been a great chance to meet people from all over Europe – we had time to integrate and become friends, which is for sure a big added value to the experience.

Mariano Carcatella (EUSA - Italy/Slovenia):
Youth Ideas Labs was a great opportunity to meet young people with the same interest, improve society through sport. More initiatives like this should be promoted in Europe. I have always done sport in my life and it was really rewarding to participate in this initiative and express my concerns and solutions to increase physical activity. Together with my group, we have chosen the topic regarding the increase of recreational sports, especially at an early age. Too many young leave sports because they feel the pressure to reach results at every cost, and this should be absolutely avoided.
Furthermore, I really believe it is important to point out the importance nowadays of mental health. In this Social Media generation, the young have wrong ideals of perfection, which can easily bring to feel depressed. Our role is to communicate that to be healthy does not mean having abdominals or going every day to the gym. For having a healthy lifestyle, it is enough to do 30 minutes of physical activity every day or just try to walk every day. This, along with eating good food and having a regenerating rest means having a healthy lifestyle.

Are you a student with an opinion? We are looking for new contributors for our student column every month. Feel free to contact stc@eusa.eu to offer a piece or propose a topic.

read more >>

Your Data and Privacy:
EUSA GDPR: General Data Protection Regulation

Published by:
European University Sports Association (EUSA)
Office: Tomšičeva ulica 4, SI-1000 Ljubljana
Realisation/Main editor: Andrej Pišl
tel: +386 1 256 0056, web: www.eusa.eu
social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | #eusaunisport #myeusa