Human Rights Day: Rhine-Ruhr 2025 sets an example for fairness and inclusion

Today, 10 December, is Human Rights Day - a day that draws attention to the protection and promotion of human rights worldwide. This topic also plays a central role in sport. The Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games are sending out a strong signal in this regard: human rights are a fundamental part of their work!

An important step was taken today in the NRW Sports Committee - the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games Declaration of Principles for Respecting Human Rights and Sustainability was officially signed. This moment underlines the event's clear commitment to fairness, inclusion and the protection of human rights at major sporting events.

Sustainability meets responsibility

At the presentation of the human rights declaration, Niklas Börger, CEO of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Games, and Prof. Dr. Holger Preuß, Supervisor for Legacy & Sustainability and Professor at the University of Mainz, presented the comprehensive concept for sustainability and the human rights work. The aim is to set new standards for the FISU World University Games that will have an impact far beyond the Games.

“Major sporting events have the power to set not only sporting but also social impulses. By signing the Declaration of Principles, the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games are setting an example and showing that sustainability and human rights are indispensable foundations for successful events.” - Prof. Dr. Holger Preuß.

Politicians also support the commitment. Andrea Milz, State Secretary for Sport and Volunteering in the Düsseldorf State Chancellery, emphasized the importance of sporting events that pursue sustainability and initiate social change.

‘In Sportland.NRW, it is our aspiration and our responsibility to lead the way in dealing with the issues of sustainability and human rights when organising the world's largest multi-sport event next year, in addition to the outstanding sporting conditions. The declaration of principles published today is an important milestone on the way to implementing the sustainability and human rights concept developed by the organiser,’ said Andrea Milz, State Secretary for Sport and Volunteering in NRW.

Today reminds us how important it is to stand up for human rights together - on and off the pitch. With their commitment, the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Games show that sport can be a driver for positive change.

© Land NRW/Bowinkelmann

First photo from left: Niklas Börger (CEO of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games), Univ.-Prof. Dr. Holger Preuß, Andrea Milz (State Secretary for Sport and Volunteering in NRW), Bernhard Hoppe-Biermeyer (Sports Committee Chairman)

Second photo from left: Niklas Börger (CEO of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games), Univ.-Prof. Dr. Holger Preuß