MESGO agreement with the Council of Europe

UEFA’s Executive Master in Sport Governance (MESGO) education programme – which has already proved crucial in enhancing the management skills of professionals in European and world sports organisations – is expanding its reach to public authorities active in the field of sport through a cooperation agreement with the Council of Europe.

The agreement, under the auspices of the Council of Europe’s Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS), breaks new ground for the MESGO programme, which has provided a vital source of learning, training and personal development, as well as contributing to the further development of sports bodies across this continent and beyond.

MESGO aims to attract participants from diverse countries and backgrounds. The objective of developing a partnership through this agreement is for participants from public authorities in charge of sport in a variety of countries to fine-tune their skills, knowledge and expertise.

The Council of Europe welcomes the opportunity to develop its visibility within the international sports movement, as well as to promote the MESGO programme and provide invaluable dialogue, input and advice for the programme’s benefit. In addition, participants in the programme will be able to build networks, and share the knowledge and expertise gained within Council of Europe/EPAS activities.

MESGO’s academic partners – including renowned European universities - would also be able to share their analyses and opinions with Council of Europe bodies in relation to sports governance.

Following the conclusion of the agreement, public authorities will be invited to send representatives to the fifth edition of MESGO, which begins in September.

“I hope that by engaging in a partnership with MESGO, this training programme will further promote understanding, dialogue and co-operation between officials and executives in charge of sport within both the sports movement and governmental authorities,” said Stan Frossard, executive secretary of EPAS.

“It is a welcome initiative which comes at a critical time, when an increasing number of issues on the international sports political agenda have to be addressed through the joint efforts of governmental authorities and civil society.”

“Welcoming the Council of Europe, under the auspices of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport, as a new partner of the MESGO programme represents an important step forward in reinforcing the core philosophy of this unique course,” said Thomas Junod, UEFA’s senior education and research manager.

“The goal of MESGO is to generate informed discussion about sports governance models and challenges, taking into account the perspective of all stakeholders involved in these debates.”

“Integrating governmental authorities directly amongst our fellow partners will enrich the discussion in MESGO by further guaranteeing diversity amongst participants and speakers.”

The Tokyo group photo©UEFA

Fourth MESGO edition
Meanwhile, the final session of the fourth edition of MESGO has been taking place in Tokyo, with the future of sport as the key topic on the programme. 

Participants have been looking at the future challenges they might face as sports industry leaders in the coming period.

Speakers included the president of the Japan Football Association (JFA), Kohzo Tashima, and Haruyo Fukuda, director of action and legacy for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The session outside Europe was seen as an ideal opportunity for those taking part in MESGO’s latest edition to analyse their specific organisations, and the way their organise their activities in the light of another culture.

“The values that Tokyo represents, combining tradition and modernity, make it the right place to discuss the future of governance in sport,” said course participant Kepa Larumbe, legal director at the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).