Safe Water Sports was delighted to participate in the 1st Emotional & Sports Education Forum – EQ Forum | The Human Side of Sport & Education, held from 2 to 4 October 2026 at the OAKA “Spyros Louis” Olympic Athletic Center of Athens, co-organized by OAKA and the AEI FEREIN Center.

The EQ Forum was created as a new platform for dialogue, knowledge and shared experience around sport, education and emotional development, placing the human being behind performance at the center of the conversation. Built around three main pillars — Struggle, Sustainability and Progress — the Forum addressed issues including emotional resilience, inclusion, a sense of belonging and the creation of healthy, safe and inclusive communities. 

On Saturday, 3 October, Safe Water Sports participated in the Forum Talk “Safe Spaces: The Spaces That Shape Us”, represented by Eliza Karabetian – Nikotian.

The panel also brought together Vassilios Karasoulis, Director of Sports Facilities & Events at OAKA, and Elina Pechlivanidi, Programs & Collections Manager at the Athens Olympic Museum. The discussion was moderated by Katia Papakonstantinou, Founder and Scientific Director of AEI FEREIN.

The discussion explored how the environments in which we move, practice sport and learn can influence the safety, development, inclusion and everyday experience of children and young people.

For Safe Water Sports, safety is much more than a set of rules or technical specifications. It is a culture built through education, prevention, awareness and the everyday behavior of all of us. A truly safe space is one that is designed to prevent risks, encourage equal participation and allow every child to feel safe, included and empowered to develop.

Safe Water Sports’ presence at the Forum extended beyond the panel discussion. As part of the EQ Forum Experience Spaces, the Organization also contributed interactive activities focusing on water safety and prevention, adding to the experiential and participatory character of the three-day event. 

The 1st EQ Forum, held under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, brought together professionals and experts from diverse scientific, educational, sporting and social fields, encouraging the exchange of ideas and good practices for the development of healthier, more resilient and inclusive communities.

We would like to warmly thank the EQ Forum Organizing Committee for the invitation, hospitality and their continued support of Safe Water Sports: Dr. Konstantinos Chalioris, Coordinating General Director of the Olympic Athletic Center of Athens (OAKA); Katia Papakonstantinou, Founder & Scientific Director of AEI FEREIN; and Konstantinos Katris, Project Director of EQ Forum and CEO of AEI FEREIN.

Congratulations to everyone who contributed to this remarkable first edition of the Forum, creating opportunities for meaningful encounters, new collaborations and an open dialogue centered on people, education and sport.