Athletes play in shaping the public perception of citizen activism and global affairs
The Athletes For Peace and Freedom Conference is an unprecedented international sports platform, providing a forum for professional sport representatives to convene and deliberate on how athletes and modern sports can leverage their potential to promote the ideals of peace and freedom. This gathering aims to inspire positive changes in our global society.
The world's athletes possess a unique opportunity to influence and impact people worldwide. Recent events in Ukraine and Belarus have demonstrated the critical role that prominent athletes play in shaping the public perception of citizen activism and global affairs. Since 2020, athletes have been at the forefront of the freedom movement in Belarus, facing arrests, beatings, and unjust imprisonment. More than 30 of them are still behind bars. Over 3,000 Ukrainian athletes stood up for their country during Russia's military aggression, with more than 200 Ukrainian athletes giving their lives in the fight against occupation.
The world's athletes possess a unique opportunity to influence and impact people worldwide. Recent events in Ukraine and Belarus have demonstrated the critical role that prominent athletes play in shaping the public perception of citizen activism and global affairs. Since 2020, athletes have been at the forefront of the freedom movement in Belarus, facing arrests, beatings, and unjust imprisonment. More than 30 of them are still behind bars. Over 3,000 Ukrainian athletes stood up for their country during Russia's military aggression, with more than 200 Ukrainian athletes giving their lives in the fight against occupation.
The accomplishments of athletes go beyond winning medals or championships; they also have the power to advocate for peace, freedom, and human rights. However, we must also be mindful of how world dictatorships attempt to use sports and athletes to propagate violence and war through corruption and criminal lobbies. The current crisis of values in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and international federations may lead to representatives of aggressor countries becoming full participants in international sports forums, thus normalizing war and gross human rights violations.
This gathering provides an opportunity to discuss the current challenges to Olympic values in modern sport. Our hope is that this conference will empower athletes to become leaders for change, advocates for peace, freedom, and democracy, and ultimatelymake a positive impact on our world. We cordially invite you to join us for this critical event.
The partners of the Conference are Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Athletes for Freedom Foundation (USA), Representation of Ukrainian Sport in European Union MTÜ (Estonia) and ARU TV (Estonia). 1. 14th ICCE Global Coach Conference 2023 Website : https://www.gcc2023-sg.com | 2. EPHyC 2024 Website : https://www.ephyc2024.com/ | 3. Congreso Aquitania Website : https://www.congresoaquitania.com | 4. Isolated Biomolecules and Biomolecular Interactions 2024 Website : https://ibbi2024.com |5. India Breast Meeting Website : https://www.indiabreastmeeting2024.com | 6. Aiclf 2024 Website : https://www.aiclf2024.net | 7. V CONGRESO PANAMERICANO DE ENFERMEDAD DE CROHN Y COLITIS ULCEROSA Website : https://panccogadeccu2024.com | 8. Congreso Nacional de Alimentos de la Agricultura Familiar y la Economía Social Website : https://www.congresodealimentos.com | 9. Interbancario 2024 Website : https://interbancario2024.com | 10. Geological Society of Thailand 2024 Website : https://geosea2024.com/ | 11. 2º Congreso Europeo Pacientes Mácula Retina Website : https://www.congresoeuropeomacularetina.com | 12. Core Energetics Conv 2024 Website : https://www.coreconvention2024.com | 13. I Congreso Colombiano de Senderismo y Montaña Website : https://www.congresocolombianosenderismo.com | 14. Athletes for Peace and Freedom International Sports Conference Website : https://afpf-conference.com | 15. International Carp Conference 2023 Website : https://carpconferencehungary.com |16. I Congreso y Muestra Mundo Senior Website : https://congresoseniorcordoba.com | 17. ENS Conference Website : https://ens-conference-tunis.com | 18. International Lung Cancer Network - 23-25 June 2023 Website : https://www.ilcnconference.com | 19. III Congreso de Familia Website : https://www.congresoinfanciafamiliaycapacidad.com | 20. SDG Conference Portugal Website : https://sdgconferenceportugal.com | 21. Digital Economy Regional Conference Website : https://digitalregionalconference.org | 22. Surveys2Discoveries Website : https://www.s2dconference.com | 23. Partnership conferenece 2023 Website : https://partnershipconference2023.com | 24. LAMA2 Muscular Dystrophy Conference 2023 Website : https://www.lama2-mdconference2023.com | 25. COR CONFERENCE Website : https://www.corconference.com | 26. RCAA Conference 2023 Website : https://www.rcaaconference2023.com | 27. kaynak kongresi Website : https://www.kaynakkongresi.org | 28. The 4th International 7th National Intercultural Nursing Congress Website : https://kulturlerarasihemsirelikkongresi.org | 29. IPBA - Indonesia Website : https://ipba2023regconf.com | 30. Ximus Pres Conference Website : https://www.ximuspresconference.com | 31. Joint International Congress Website : https://www.jointinternationalcongress.com | 32. XV Congreso Quemados Website : https://xvcongresoquemados.com | 33. Faith, Spirituality and Social Change Conference Series Website : https://www.fsscconference.org.uk | 34. UKPHA - 17th Annual Public Health Forum Website : https://www.ukphaconference.org.uk | 35. SMART CONFERENCES Website : https://www.smartconferences.org.uk | 36. The Congregational Website : https://www.thecongregational.org.uk | 37. Congreso Voluntariado Canarias Website : https://congresovoluntariadocanarias.org |38. سومین کنفرانس بین المللی فناوری های نوین در علوم Website : https://mtsconf.com | 39. TERIAS Conference Website : https://www.iasconference.org | 40. The Higher Education Climate Dialogues Website : https://hecdconference.org | 41. Konferencija Mladih Preduzetnika Website : https://konferencijamladihpreduzetnika.com | 42. Kenevir Konferansı Website : https://www.kenevirkonferansi.com | 43. İntegratif ve Anadolu Tıbbı Kongresi Website : https://integratifveanadolutibbikongresi.org | 44. 1st International Congress 10th National Congress Website : https://www.rstbilimkongresi.com | 45. TED x University of Bucharest Website : https://tedxuniversityofbucharest.com | 46. Ulusal Neonatoloji Kongresi Website : https://uneko2023.org | 47. TheoBio2023 Website : https://theobio2023.com | 48. Fcs 2023 Website : https://www.fcs2023.com | 49. MDIT X DD 2023 Website : https://www.mdit2023.com | 50. UHAC2023 Website : https://uhac2023.com
From May 12-14, the Athletes for Peace and Freedom conference will convene in Tallinn, bringing together athletes with an active civic stance from Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, and the Baltic States.
This gathering provides an opportunity to discuss the current challenges to Olympic values in modern sport. Our hope is that this conference will empower athletes to become leaders for change, advocates for peace, freedom, and democracy, and ultimatelymake a positive impact on our world. We cordially invite you to join us for this critical event.
The partners of the Conference are Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Athletes for Freedom Foundation (USA), Representation of Ukrainian Sport in European Union MTÜ (Estonia) and ARU TV (Estonia). 1. 14th ICCE Global Coach Conference 2023 Website : https://www.gcc2023-sg.com | 2. EPHyC 2024 Website : https://www.ephyc2024.com/ | 3. Congreso Aquitania Website : https://www.congresoaquitania.com | 4. Isolated Biomolecules and Biomolecular Interactions 2024 Website : https://ibbi2024.com |5. India Breast Meeting Website : https://www.indiabreastmeeting2024.com | 6. Aiclf 2024 Website : https://www.aiclf2024.net | 7. V CONGRESO PANAMERICANO DE ENFERMEDAD DE CROHN Y COLITIS ULCEROSA Website : https://panccogadeccu2024.com | 8. Congreso Nacional de Alimentos de la Agricultura Familiar y la Economía Social Website : https://www.congresodealimentos.com | 9. Interbancario 2024 Website : https://interbancario2024.com | 10. Geological Society of Thailand 2024 Website : https://geosea2024.com/ | 11. 2º Congreso Europeo Pacientes Mácula Retina Website : https://www.congresoeuropeomacularetina.com | 12. Core Energetics Conv 2024 Website : https://www.coreconvention2024.com | 13. I Congreso Colombiano de Senderismo y Montaña Website : https://www.congresocolombianosenderismo.com | 14. Athletes for Peace and Freedom International Sports Conference Website : https://afpf-conference.com | 15. International Carp Conference 2023 Website : https://carpconferencehungary.com |16. I Congreso y Muestra Mundo Senior Website : https://congresoseniorcordoba.com | 17. ENS Conference Website : https://ens-conference-tunis.com | 18. International Lung Cancer Network - 23-25 June 2023 Website : https://www.ilcnconference.com | 19. III Congreso de Familia Website : https://www.congresoinfanciafamiliaycapacidad.com | 20. SDG Conference Portugal Website : https://sdgconferenceportugal.com | 21. Digital Economy Regional Conference Website : https://digitalregionalconference.org | 22. Surveys2Discoveries Website : https://www.s2dconference.com | 23. Partnership conferenece 2023 Website : https://partnershipconference2023.com | 24. LAMA2 Muscular Dystrophy Conference 2023 Website : https://www.lama2-mdconference2023.com | 25. COR CONFERENCE Website : https://www.corconference.com | 26. RCAA Conference 2023 Website : https://www.rcaaconference2023.com | 27. kaynak kongresi Website : https://www.kaynakkongresi.org | 28. The 4th International 7th National Intercultural Nursing Congress Website : https://kulturlerarasihemsirelikkongresi.org | 29. IPBA - Indonesia Website : https://ipba2023regconf.com | 30. Ximus Pres Conference Website : https://www.ximuspresconference.com | 31. Joint International Congress Website : https://www.jointinternationalcongress.com | 32. XV Congreso Quemados Website : https://xvcongresoquemados.com | 33. Faith, Spirituality and Social Change Conference Series Website : https://www.fsscconference.org.uk | 34. UKPHA - 17th Annual Public Health Forum Website : https://www.ukphaconference.org.uk | 35. SMART CONFERENCES Website : https://www.smartconferences.org.uk | 36. The Congregational Website : https://www.thecongregational.org.uk | 37. Congreso Voluntariado Canarias Website : https://congresovoluntariadocanarias.org |38. سومین کنفرانس بین المللی فناوری های نوین در علوم Website : https://mtsconf.com | 39. TERIAS Conference Website : https://www.iasconference.org | 40. The Higher Education Climate Dialogues Website : https://hecdconference.org | 41. Konferencija Mladih Preduzetnika Website : https://konferencijamladihpreduzetnika.com | 42. Kenevir Konferansı Website : https://www.kenevirkonferansi.com | 43. İntegratif ve Anadolu Tıbbı Kongresi Website : https://integratifveanadolutibbikongresi.org | 44. 1st International Congress 10th National Congress Website : https://www.rstbilimkongresi.com | 45. TED x University of Bucharest Website : https://tedxuniversityofbucharest.com | 46. Ulusal Neonatoloji Kongresi Website : https://uneko2023.org | 47. TheoBio2023 Website : https://theobio2023.com | 48. Fcs 2023 Website : https://www.fcs2023.com | 49. MDIT X DD 2023 Website : https://www.mdit2023.com | 50. UHAC2023 Website : https://uhac2023.com
Speakers and participants of the conference
- Natalia DobrynskaUkraineUkrainian track and field athlete, champion of the 2008 Olympic Games in the heptathlon, world champion, two-time silver medalist of the World Championships, silver medalist of the European Championship, world record holder in the pentathlon. Master of Sports of international class in all-around, Honored Master of Sports of Ukraine.
- Andrei KrauchankaBelarusBelarusian athlete, silver medalist of the 2008 Olympic Games in decathlon, silver medalist of two world championships, European champion in decathlon and heptathlon. Honored Master of Sports of the Republic of Belarus. Activist of the Free Association of Athletes of Belarus SOS BY.
- Hanna RizatdinovaUkraineUkrainian gymnast, bronze medalist of the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro (2016), world champion in hoop exercise (2013), multiple winner of the World, European and Summer Universiade championships.
- Vitaly HurkouBelarusMultiple world champion in Thai boxing and kickboxing, honored master of sports of the Republic of Belarus. Activist of the free association of athletes of Belarus SOS BY.
- Georgii ZantaraiaUkraineHead of the Athletes Commission of the NOC of Ukraine. Ukrainian judoka. World Champion, European Champion, Winner of the European Games, Honored Master of Sports. The first judo world champion in the history of Ukraine, deputy of the Kyiv City Council.
- Vital RakBelarusKarate trainer, karate champion of Belarus in 2015. As a coach, he trained 5 masters of sports, 20 champions and medalists of the championship of Belarus, the bronze medalist of the 2017 World Championship. Activist of the free association of athletes of Belarus SOS BY.
- Yana MaksimavaBelarusBelarusian track and field athlete who competes in all-around. Participant of two Olympiads. Silver medalist of the 2008 World Junior Championship in heptathlon. International class master of sports. An activist of the free association of athletes of Belarus SOS BY.
- Kanstantsin YakauleuBelarusHead coach of Vityaz Minsk handball club. Multiple champion and winner of the Belarusian handball cup. Activist of the free association of athletes of Belarus SOS BY.
- Stanislav HorunaUkraineUkrainian karate fighter in the kumite category, bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics. European champion, winner of the World Games and European Games. Bronze medalist of the World Championship, three-time winner of the K1 Premier League tournament series. Honored Master of Sports of International Class.
- Aliaksandr NikalaichukBelarusFormer senior coach of the national fencing team of the Republic of Belarus. Activist of the free association of athletes of Belarus SOS BY.
- Roman AbramenkoIrelandHandball athlete, coach of the Irish national handball team, licensed New York lawyer, graduate of Georgetown University and the London School of Economics.
- Ulia KhanUkraineDirector of the Department of Youth and Sports of the executive body of the Kyiv City Council (Kyiv City State Administration), vice-president of the NOC of the Kyiv region.
- Anatol KotauBelarusHead of the International Department of the Belarusian Sports Solidarity Fund, ex-Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus, Deputy Director of the Directorate of the II European Games-2019 in Minsk.
- Olha SaladukhaUkraineUkrainian track and field athlete, Olympic bronze medalist, world champion, 6-time European champion, Honored Master of Sports of Ukraine. People's deputy of the Verkhovna Rada, member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Youth and Sports.
- Aliaksandr ApeikinBelarusExecutive Director of the Belarusian Sports Solidarity Foundation.
- Aliaksandr PutsilaBelarusSport journalist, TV Channel "Belsat"
- Zmitser LukashukBelarusJournalist, host of Euroradio
Conference Program
DAY 1
May 11, Thursday
May 11, Thursday
14:00 - 19:00
14:00 - 19:00
Arrival of the Participants
19:00
19:00
Welcoming Speech by the Organizers and Partners
19:30
19:30
Dinner
DAY 2
May 12, Friday
May 12, Friday
9:15
9:15
Registration of the Participants, Coffee and Tea
10:00
10:00
Welcome Speech by VIP 1
Prime Minister/Foreign Minister/US Ambassador | To Be Confirmed
10:15
10:15
Welcome Speech by VIP 2
Foreign Ministers, Ambassadors, MEPs
10:30 - 11:30
10:30 - 11:30
Welcome Speech from the Delegation of Ukraine
Presentation: "Athletes in War: Questions and Answers"
11:30 - 12:00
11:30 - 12:00
Coffee Break
12:00 - 13:30
12:00 - 13:30
Podium Discussion
Athletes and Their Responsibility for the Actions of Their Governments: The Role of Sports in Restoring Peace in Ukraine. Can Athletes Influence the Situation?
13:30 - 15:00
13:30 - 15:00
Lunch
15:00 - 16:00
15:00 - 16:00
Welcome Speech by Free Athletes of Belarus
Presentation: "Athletes Against the Dictatorship: Questions and Answers"
16:00 - 16:30
16:00 - 16:30
Presentation of the BSSF Project
16:30 - 17:00
16:30 - 17:00
Coffee Break
17:00 - 18:30
17:00 - 18:30
Podium Discussion
Sport Outside Politics: How Applicable Is the Principle in Authoritarian Countries Where Sport Is a Weapon of Propaganda? Participation of VIPs, Athletes, Guests
19:00
19:00
Dinner
DAY 3
May 13, Saturday
May 13, Saturday
9:30
9:30
Coffee, Tea
10:00 - 11:30
10:00 - 11:30
"The Image of a Modern Athlete: The Responsibility of Sport in Resolving Peace, Promoting the Values of Freedom and Human Rights"
VIP 1, VIP 2, VIP 3 Reports
NOC Presidents, Ambassadors, Politicians, Athletes, BSSF
11:30 - 12:00
11:30 - 12:00
Coffee Break
12:00 - 13:30
12:00 - 13:30
Discussion
Policies of IOC and International Federations Concerning the Admission of Russian and Lukashenko Athletes: Is It Possible to Compare a Conflict and a War?
13:30 - 14:30
13:30 - 14:30
Lunch
14:30 - 16:30
14:30 - 16:30
Projects and Programs for Assistance to Ukrainian Athletes
Presentations of Erasmus+ Programs, Discussion of Potential Projects and Cooperations (Donors, Public Organizations, Businessmen Are Invited)
16:30 - 17:30
16:30 - 17:30
Press Conference of the Participants
18:30
18:30
Dinner
DAY 4
May 14, Sunday
May 14, Sunday
10:00
10:00
Coffee, Tea
10:30 - 12:30
10:30 - 12:30
Adoption of Joint Declaration
13:00
13:00
Departure of the Conference Participants
Organizers & Partners