An international scientific conference titled “Promoting Inclusion, Values, and Development through Martial Arts in Sport” will be held on November 20, 2025, organized by the Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior (Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Portugal).
The event is organized within the framework of the European project “Universal Sports for Social Impact (USSI)”, which aims to promote inclusion, the development of social values, and positive social change through sport, with a particular focus on martial arts as a means of fostering social inclusion and education.
The conference will bring together researchers and experts from Portugal, Hungary, Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro, who will share their experiences and present research on the role of sport in community development, education, and the enhancement of social cohesion.
Among the invited lecturers will be representatives from several European universities and institutions, including Professor Stevo Popovic, who will present examples of good practice and initiatives using sport as a tool for social development.
The conference will be opened by Nuno Pimenta, Dean of the Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior, and Carla Borrego, the Portuguese representative of the USSI project. Participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and explore the application of sports programs in promoting education, social inclusion, and youth development.
📅 Date: November 20, 2025
🌍 Format: Online
🎓 Organizer: Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior, Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Portugal
🔗 Registration: Free and available at www.ipsantarem.pt/esdrm/ussi/