An international multidimensional event to promote girl’s physical activity and leadership through sport and school.
From 27 September to 2 October 2021, the International School Sport Federation (ISF) and the City of Brussels will organise the second edition of the She Runs - Active Girls’ Lead event, taking place in the framework of the European Week of Sport.
This international event for young women between the ages of 12-18 years old, will gather 3000 girls from over 35 countries as part of the ISF and City of Brussels school networks, to participate in sport, educational, cultural, entrepreneurial, and institutional activities. Several international men and women ambassadors will also join this event, with their announcement coming soon. She Runs – Active Girls’ Lead aims to promote engagement in physical activity, development of leadership skills and empowerment of girl students, all through school sport. It highlights the use of school sport as a tool for gender equality while creating and developing a network of young women leaders from schools.
ISF President Laurent Petrynka mentioned “We are very proud to have the 2nd edition of She Runs - Active Girls’ Lead in Brussels. At the heart of Europe, the She Runs programme offers a unique experience for schoolgirls to be inspired to become a leader in sport, whilst developing friendships with girls from all over the world and discovering sport and cultural activities in the host city of Brussels. I would like to thank the City of Brussels for hosting this event, and for diligently following all the necessary decisions and precautions required in these current times to ensure the safety of all participants. Furthermore, I would also like to thank all the event partners and stakeholders for their commitment to joining us in celebrating this fantastic event.”
The event programme will consist of five different main features:
1. The Cultural Scavenger Hunt:
500 participants will discover Brussels through a scavenger hunt combining elements and perspectives from the history of the city, of sport, and of symbolic women.
2. The Run & Village:
2500 local girl students and 500 international participants from all over the world will run together to celebrate intercultural friendship and the benefits of sport for health.
3. The Talk:
Four Sportswomen and women leaders will share their stories with the 700 young women and provide them with tools that enable them to make a difference in and through sport.
4. The Design Sprint:
40 participants will design and shape projects to promote girls’ leadership and physical activity in their local community.
5. The Conference:
200 leaders from international sport sectors, school networks, institutions, and city leaders, will attend a final conference on the role of school and sport to promote gender equality and girl’s empowerment. The participants will present to the conference the projects that were designed during the Design sprint activity of the event.
The Heart of Europe; Brussels as Host
For the 2021 edition, the ISF can count on a strong partnership with the City of Brussels, at the heart of Europe, supporting the operational implementation of the event. Through this event, the City of Brussels aims to highlight the importance of promoting sport and educational opportunities for young people, particularly amongst girls within Brussels. Our partnership will also contribute to involving local schools and associated networks from the city and region of Brussels. The ISF and the City of Brussels are preparing this event in accordance with the continuous evolution of the health situation globally and in Belgium. Both organisations will continue to follow all the necessary precautions regarding the organisation of the event.
An Event Supported by the European Commission
The event is also supported by the Erasmus Plus Sport Programme which will strongly contribute to the promotion of European values regarding the empowerment and rights of girls and women. The collaboration with the European Commission will contribute directly to giving the opportunity to many young women to participate in this event and gain a fantastic social, cultural, educational and sport experience with their peers and have a long-term impact on their lives.
Sustainability and Gender Equality at the Core of She Runs Values
For this second edition, the ISF and VinylPlus®, the sustainability programme of the European PVC industry, reinforced their collaboration to promote and educate young people and especially girls on global issues such as sustainable development and the importance to have a circular economy. In this context, the ISF and VinylPlus developed an Environmental Action, to promote the importance of sustainable sporting events. “Sustainable development is at the core of the VinylPlus programme and is an important topic for the young generation,” said Ms Brigitte Dero, VinylPlus Managing Director. “At the same time, sports are becoming more and more innovative, creating new, sustainable solutions for materials, equipment and facilities. She Runs - Active Girls' Lead represents a great opportunity for us to merge and build on these two trends.”
Sustainability and gender equality lie at the heart of ISF, shown by these efforts to empower girls in and through sport. The topics of health, empowerment and leadership have always had a global level of importance throughout the world, particularly regarding sport and gender equality.
Promoting the 'Joy of moving'
As part of their long-term cooperation the ISF and Kinder Joy of moving aims to emphasise the importance of engaging youth in physical activity under the philosophy ‘Joy of moving’. At the heart of this message is the strong belief that a positive attitude towards movement will make today’s children, better adults tomorrow. With that, Kinder Joy of moving is joining this year’s She Runs - Active Girls’ Lead edition.
Stay tuned for more announcements and information on this second edition of She Runs - Active Girls’ Lead. The opening of registration will be announced in mid-February, with further details to come.
To revisit the first edition of She Runs 2019, check out this video:
