LUNEX Hosts Workshop Highlighting Child Protection Rights in Sport

On Wednesday 27 August 2025, LUNEX University of Applied Sciences reported on the "Let's Talk Safeguarding" workshop it recently held in Differdange. The event, part of the ERASMUS+ CRC Safeguarding Children's Rights in Sport Project, took place on Wednesday 20 August and reaffirmed LUNEX's commitment to child protection in sport. The initiative, co-funded by the European Union, is dedicated to ensuring that every child's right to safety, dignity and protection is respected across all sporting environments. The workshop brought together students, staff and external experts to engage in open discussions on safeguarding challenges and solutions. LUNEX noted that a highlight of the event was the contribution from Lauren Crisp of the Agence Luxembourgeoise Antidopage (ALAD), who shared practical insights that inspired dialogue and reflection. During the event, participants explored the complexity of safeguarding, recognising that it is not always black and white but filled with nuances that require sensitivity and awareness. The key themes of the workshop included: ⁃ the critical role of training and education for all stakeholders, especially for those less familiar with safeguarding issues; ⁃ the need to address risks across online and offline environments, as well as peer-to-peer interactions; ⁃ acknowledging that safeguarding infringements can occur with or without intent, underscoring the importance of vigilance; ⁃ the importance of prevention and actionable solutions, particularly addressing the "bystander effect" where inaction can allow harm to persist. The workshop marked the third CRC-Sport event to be hosted in Luxembourg, building on previous roundtables with youth coaches, policymakers, sports federations and child protection organisations. Outcomes from these discussions, combined with findings from similar events in Italy, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Greece, informed the workshop's content. At last year's Luxembourg roundtables, stakeholders identified several priorities, including: ⁃ legally binding safeguarding policies and mandatory education for all stakeholders; ⁃ collaborative approach to policy development; ⁃ clear communication and reporting systems to foster accountability and trust; ⁃ greater government support, cultural change and cooperation between federations, schools and child protection agencies. LUNEX said it will build on these efforts by integrating safeguarding workshops into its Sport Management and Sport Science modules, embedding child protection awareness into the academic experience of future professionals. The education institution noted that the CRC-Sport Erasmus+ project continues to advance safeguarding across Europe, ensuring that children's well-being, dignity and rights remain central to sport. By empowering organisations to implement proactive safeguarding practices, the project supports a cultural shift aligned with EU directives and recommendations.