FISU World Conference wraps up with Bochum’s bold vision

BOCHUM - The three-day Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World Conference in Bochum wrapped up on Saturday, leaving a powerful reminder of how university sport can help shape a greener and more inclusive future.

The final day placed ecological sustainability and the principles of inclusion and diversity in the spotlight, showing that sport is far more than competition; it is a tool for wider social progress.

"For me and for the whole FISU family, it was amazing,” Verena Burk (GER), FISU Vice President, told the FISU Games News Service (FGNS). “The combination of science, the conference, the sport and the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 World University Games here was fantastic.

"At FISU we try really to reach people through sport for educational activities and topics, and the FISU World Conference here has been a perfect combination.

“Education is the key aspect around the world now and will be in the future.”

DRIVING INCLUSION

Gender equity and opportunities for all athletes featured prominently in the panels, keynotes and workshops.

Over three days, the conference drew 400 participants from 40 nations, creating a rich mix of perspective and experience to shape discussions.

"I think a lot of athletes underestimate the importance of the governance of sport and that's what this room really represents – it is a lot of governance from around different places in the world," said Kim Robins (AUS), a Tokyo 2020 wheelchair basketball Paralympian who spoke at the conference.

"To be able to discuss and share the varied information and best practices and how it's working differently allows people to take that back and improve their programmes, which eventually opens up more pathways that have a lot of downstream effects over the next 10, 15 or 20 years.

"So, for me, this part is really important because of the information that we can give out from different subject matter experts who are here."

SUSTAINABILITY SPOTLIGHT

The conference explored how sport can be more sustainable and inspire action to protect planet earth.

"A global conference like the FISU World Conference is such an important platform, and a topic like sustainability has a great potential when it comes to the visibility for the subject,” said Anne Portscheller, Project Lead, ESD and Climate Communication at KATE, a German non-profit organisation focused on sustainability education.

“You get to make more people aware that there is a concept that addresses ecological sustainability but also engage those actually interested in it and offer them a platform they can actually access.”

Yannic Burstert, a scientific advisor at LAG 21 NRW, echoed Portscheller’s views.

"It's very important to show that sport tries to care for itself, and wants to ensure its future because the planet is changing, and the climate is changing," Burstert said.

“Athletes and administrators feel it, so it’s encouraging to see entities working on its protection and a clear vision ahead.”

Awards and special mentions added to the excitement. Among them was the Green Delegations Award, recognising delegations that made outstanding contributions to environmental sustainability at the ongoing FISU Games.

“We are excited to get the first prize for the Green Delegations Award,” said Patrick Ssebuliba (UGA), deputy head of the Ugandan delegation. “We are going to continue to do our best and we will do a lot more.”

HANDOVER

As applause rang out, the metaphorical baton was handed to the next hosts during the Closing Ceremony of the conference.

The theme for the next FISU World Conference, to be held during the ChungCheong 2027 FISU World University Games, was announced: shaping the future of university sport through education, sustainability and innovation.

"I would like to offer my warm congratulations to the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 Organising Committee for their dedication, hard work, and outstanding success in delivering the FISU World Conference," said Lee Chang-seop (KOR), Vice President of ChungCheong 2027.

"The ChungCheong 2027 FISU World Conference will be a global platform for shaping the future of university sports with a strong focus on sustainability and inclusion."

As the curtain came down on the FISU World Conference, Bochum stood as a beacon of progress, inspiring a future where university sport grows even stronger and more inclusive.

FGNS ag/pg/mb