This week, we had the incredible opportunity to present the CRC Sport Project in Ventotene, a place deeply rooted in the history of European unity. Ventotene is where Altiero Spinelli, during his imprisonment in 1941, wrote the Ventotene Manifesto, a visionary document that laid the foundation for a united and peaceful Europe.

The presentation took place during the European Week of Research in Ventotene, where we organized a seminar on a critical issue: child safeguarding, with a focus on the CRC Sport Project.

The seminar aimed at fostering awareness and sparking dialogue within the community. Our discussions focused on the importance of establishing safe environments where children can grow, learn, and develop free from harm, abuse, or exploitation. Safeguarding children goes beyond protection—it includes creating supportive spaces where children’s voices are heard, their rights respected, and their well-being prioritised.

Key themes included the need for effective safeguarding policies in educational, recreational, and family settings and the role of communities and institutions in developing preventative measures. By involving citizens, we emphasised a collective responsibility to uphold and advocate for every child’s right to safety, nurturing a culture of vigilance and care for future generations. 

At CRC Sport, we are inspired by these same values of collaboration, equality, and human rights. Our project focuses on protecting the rights of children in sports, tackling issues such as violence, abuse, and discrimination to ensure safe and inclusive environments for young athletes.

Presenting the project in such a symbolic location reminded us of the importance of working across borders to safeguard the next generation. Just as Spinelli dreamed of a united Europe, we strive to create a future where every child can thrive in sports, free from harm.