Slovenia joins UNESCO’s Fit for Life initiative

The 7th UNESCO conference of ministers and senior officials focused on physical education and sport has successfully concluded in Azerbaijan. One of the significant outcomes of the conference was the adoption of the Fit for Life partnership document. This document is specifically tailored to expedite the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, facilitate integrated policy making in the field of sports, and promote the overall wellbeing of youth on a global scale. By embracing this initiative, participating countries are demonstrating their commitment to harnessing the power of physical education and sport to address the challenges posed by the pandemic, foster holistic policy approaches, and prioritize the health and happiness of young individuals worldwide.     

                                                                                                                                               A remarkable sporting event recently took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 26 to 29 June, attracting a prominent gathering of more than 50 ministers, high-ranking officials, and over 540 delegates hailing from 124 countries and international organizations. Notably, the Slovenian delegation, led by Dr Mitja Blaganje, Secretary General at the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport, actively participated in the event held in Baku.

During his address, Secretary General Dr Blaganje underscored the crucial understanding that physical activity surpasses being a mere hobby or leisure pursuit, instead representing a fundamental aspect of our overall wellbeing, health, happiness, and even contributing to the economy and tourism sectors. In Slovenia, significant shifts in ministerial responsibilities have recently taken place, with the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport now taking charge of sports-related matters, while school and youth sports fall under the purview of the Ministry of Education.                                                                                

During the conference, the Fit for Life partnership document was unanimously adopted as UNESCO's flagship initiative. This comprehensive program, designed to expedite the global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to foster inclusive and integrated policy making in sports while prioritizing the wellbeing of youth. Dr Mitja Blaganje, Secretary General at the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport, proudly highlighted Slovenia's remarkable statistics, revealing that an impressive average of 65 to 75 percent of the population actively engages in physical activity or sports, making the country a staunch supporter of the Fit for Life initiative. Dr Blaganje emphasized the pivotal role of sport as a pillar of society, facilitating connections between people and contributing significantly to health, education, society, and the economy. Slovenia showcased its successful Sport Educational Chart program, which leverages technology and artificial intelligence to identify sporting talent, resulting in exceptional achievements at the highest levels of competition.                                                                          

The recently launched SLOFit project extends physical fitness testing and measurement to adults, aiming to promote ongoing physical activity and reduce healthcare costs. Dr Blaganje reiterated that sport is a key driver of societal development and healthy economic growth, urging conference participants to become ambassadors of physical activity and sports in their communities to foster a stronger, healthier, and happier world.                                         

Secretary General Dr Blaganje also engaged in productive discussions with esteemed officials, including the Azerbaijani Minister of Youth and Sports, the Portuguese Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, and the Croatian Director-General for Sport.   

These meetings revolved around various topics such as organizing major international sports events, sports financing, integrity in sports, violence prevention, match-fixing, and other pertinent issues.