The International Board met online last Thursday, 9 July, to review ongoing activities and coordinate Panathlon International’s upcoming commitments. The International Board Members reported on the work carried out within their respective areas of responsibility, ranging from expansion activities to relations with Clubs and Districts, whilst the General Secretariat updated the Board on international projects and the organisation of forthcoming events.

The focus of the meeting was the follow-up to the General Assembly in Ghent: following the approval of the amendments to the Articles of Association, work has begun on updating the regulations and implementing the decisions adopted.

The Board then reviewed the progress of the Erasmus+ projects. In June, the international MindFit meetings in Izmir and the YouLead meetings in Podgorica took place, involving representatives from Panathlon International and its partners. New collaborations with universities were also assessed, the Ethos project, as well as partnerships with sports institutions and associations, alongside initiatives to expand the Movement into new countries. The Alpe Adria project, which is undergoing continuous development, was particularly well received. Furthermore, in order to help promote Panathlon’s values in Central and Eastern Europe, the President of the newly formed Club in Croatia, Milan Čupić, joined the Expansion and Development working group.

A significant part of the meeting was then devoted to the celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of Panathlon International and the Flambeau d’Or ceremony, scheduled to take place in Venice. The main organisational details were finalised and the award recipients identified, in preparation for an event honouring individuals who, through their own journeys, have embodied the ethical and cultural values of sport.

The Board concluded by taking note of the important developments in the project dedicated to the Hikikomori, which will see Panathlon International take centre stage on 9 September at the European Parliament, as part of a meeting aimed at exploring this sensitive issue in greater depth, confirming the Association’s growing commitment to issues of significant social impact.