From June 8 to 12, 2024, Rome will be the stage for the IX edition of the Future Leaders Forum, formerly known as the Young Leaders Forum. This year’s theme, “Be the Leader of Tomorrow”, reflects the inspiration behind the event. Organized by European Athletics with the support of the Local Organizing Committee of the European Athletics Championships Rome 2024 and with Deloitte as the supporting partner, the event continues the tradition of successful editions held alongside previous European Athletics Championships. The Rome Future Leaders Forum will be a particularly significant milestone, thanks to the growing importance placed on nurturing young talent in the European sports landscape.
«We thank Deloitte for their generous support of this year’s edition of the Future Leaders Forum. The success of our sport at all levels depends upon its relevance and engagement with young people. It’s important that the current generation of leaders and the future generation of leaders have opportunities like this to learn from one other. The current generations have valuable knowledge and experience, but we must also be open to innovation and the ideas of the emerging younger voices in our sport in an ever-changing world» declared Dobromir Karamarinov, president of European Athletics.
«Leadership in athletics is one continuous relay race. As leaders we must run our legs as best we can, but also ensure the baton is safely passed on to the future leaders so they have the best chance of succeeding. We look forward to a successful 2024 Future Leaders Forum at Roma 2024» he added.
Promising young individuals, aged 20 to 30, from various European federations will gather at the Parco del Foro Italico in Rome to participate in five intensive days of training activities and networking. The primary goal of the Future Leaders Forum is to equip these young individuals with the skills necessary to become the leaders of tomorrow, capable of guiding and innovating the world of athletics.
The Forum’s program stands out for the quality and variety of its activities: interactive workshops, mentoring sessions, roundtable discussions, and presentations by prominent figures in athletics and sports management. The group of experts represents an extraordinary blend of knowledge and experience from various fields within and beyond athletics. Each speaker is a leader in their own sector, ready to share insights, experiences and visions for the future of athletics.
These formative moments will not only enhance the technical and managerial skills of the participants but also promote the exchange of ideas, the creation of lasting professional networks, and the exploration of innovative solutions to the challenges facing the world of athletics. The sessions will focus on developing leadership skills, identifying personal potentials, and harnessing individual passions to benefit their respective federations.
Investing in training future leaders is seen as a strategic investment for athletics: each participant will return to their federation with an enriched vision and new skills, ready to significantly contribute to the growth and success of the sport. The training received at the Future Leaders Forum aims to transform participants into ambassadors capable of disseminating the knowledge acquired and inspiring new generations of athletes and leaders.
The Future Leaders Forum is not just an event but a fundamental step towards a brighter and more dynamic future for European athletics. This initiative reflects European Athletics’ commitment to investing in the personal and professional growth of young people, ensuring that the sports sector can continue to thrive thanks to qualified and motivated leaders.
Furthermore, the Forum is part of a broader context of events and initiatives aimed at making athletics an increasingly inclusive, innovative sport that can attract new generations of enthusiasts. The choice of Rome as the venue for the event underscores the city’s historical and cultural significance, offering participants a stimulating and inspiring environment.
The Future Leaders Forum thus represents a unique opportunity for young talents to establish themselves as the future pillars of athletics, in a journey of personal and professional growth that will help define the future of the sport in Europe and beyond.