President

Dear Delegates, Colleagues, and Friends,

It is with great pleasure and profound honor that I welcome you to the 20th FIEPS European Congress, to be held on April 30 – May 1, 2026, at the University of Elbasan “Aleksandër Xhuvani”, in the heart of Albania. This landmark event, hosted by the Department of Physical Education and Sports in partnership with the Albanian Sports Science Association, marks a proud milestone for our academic and professional community.

Our gathering in Tirana and Elbasan carries a special meaning — it represents not only the advancement of sport and physical education in Europe but also the celebration of connection, collaboration, and shared values. The congress will bring together distinguished scholars, practitioners, educators, and young researchers to exchange ideas, inspire innovation, and envision the future of physical education and sports science in an ever-changing world.

In my role as the President of the Congress, and with the collective support of FIEPS Europe, this event promises to be a dynamic forum where tradition meets transformation — a space for both reflection and action.

Albania, with its rich history, hospitality, and youthful energy, welcomes you warmly. Here, between the ancient roots of our culture and the modern vision of our universities, we invite you to explore, connect, and help shape FIEPS's legacy for generations to come.

On behalf of the Organizing Committee, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all partners, contributors, and participants whose enthusiasm and expertise will make this congress a success.

We look forward to welcoming you to Elbasan — to learn, to share, and to celebrate the power of physical education and sport as forces for human development and peace.

With sincere regards,
Prof. Edmond Bicoku
President, 20th FIEPS European Congress
Elbasan, Albania | April 30 – May 1, 2026

Info

Faculty of Education Sciences, University “Aleksandër Xhuvani” – Elbasan, Albania

The 20th FIEPS European Congress will take place at the Faculty of Education Sciences of Elbasan University “Aleksandër Xhuvani”, one of Albania’s leading institutions in teacher education, pedagogy, and sports sciences. Situated in the heart of Elbasan, a historic and culturally vibrant city located about 50 km southeast of the capital Tirana, the venue provides an ideal environment for academic exchange, innovation, and collaboration.

The Faculty of Education Sciences is home to modern teaching and research facilities, including lecture halls, laboratories for physical education and movement studies, and multimedia-equipped classrooms. The university campus combines academic tradition with a welcoming and dynamic atmosphere, making it a perfect host for an international event dedicated to Physical Education, Sport, and Health.

About

A New Horizon for Physical Education & Sports in Europe
📅 30 April – 2 May 2026
📍 Tirana – Elbasan, Albania

Organized by:

• FIEPS Europe (Fédération Internationale d’Éducation Physique et Sportive)
  
• Faculty of Education Sciences, Elbasan University “Aleksandër Xhuvani”
  
• Albanian Sport Science Association (ASSA)

🎯 General Overview
The 20th FIEPS European Congress will bring together scholars, educators, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from across Europe and beyond to explore new horizons for Physical Education, Sport, and Health promotion. Hosted for the first time in Albania, this milestone event will serve as a dynamic platform for exchanging ideas, presenting scientific research, and strengthening collaboration among universities, schools, and sport organizations.

Under the central theme “A New Horizon for Physical Education & Sports in Europe,” the Congress will address current trends and future directions in areas such as:

• Quality Physical Education and school innovation
  
• Physical activity, health, and well-being across the lifespan
  
• Inclusion, equality, and sustainability in sport
  
• Teacher education and digital transformation
  
• Research methodologies and evidence-based practice

The three-day program will feature keynote lectures, scientific presentations, symposia, interactive workshops, and poster sessions, as well as special community activities connecting science with practice—such as demonstrations, children’s movement laboratories, and outreach events that highlight Albania’s growing contribution to sport science and education.

The Congress will also celebrate FIEPS Europe’s legacy of promoting education through movement, culture, and international cooperation, while offering participants a unique opportunity to experience the cultural and academic vitality of Tirana and Elbasan, two historic centers of Albanian education and sport.

The 20th FIEPS European Congress (30 April – 2 May 2026, Tirana & Elbasan) brings together experts to explore innovation, inclusion, and sustainability in physical education and sport across Europe.