Shania Xuereb addresses the EU Sport Forum 2025

The EU Sport Forum 2025 held on the 11th of April 2025 which is the European Commission’s flagship event shaping the future of sport, brought together leaders, policymakers, and changemakers from across Europe in Krakow, Poland this week. Among them was European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef, whose leadership continues to drive the EU’s commitment to sport as a force for social inclusion.

Special Olympics was proud to be part of this important conversation, represented by Special Olympics Europe Eurasia (SOEE) President & Managing Director David Evangelista, alongside Special Olympics Malta athlete Shanaia Xuereb, both of whom served as keynote speakers.

As David shared: "Youth empowerment, school-based work, green sport, safeguarding...The EU’s commitment to inclusion extends far beyond the playing field." "Thank you to Commissioner Glenn Micallef and the European Union for creating a platform where inclusion is not only discussed, but driven forward with action."

Shanaia captured the heart of the Forum with her words: "Sport opened doors for me that traditional learning couldn’t, giving me a voice to speak out and the encouragement to keep moving forward."