It’s almost time — the full programme for our annual event in Umeå
On 24 September, P5 in central Umeå fills up with researchers, educators, leaders and decision-makers who all share the same question: how do we make sure children and young people get to shine as they should in an ever faster-changing world? This year’s theme for Change the Game’s annual event is Movement that matters – and the programme is packed with underlying perspectives, research and concrete examples from real life.
Why “movement that matters”? Movement at school and in leisure time can make an enormous difference – but only if it feels meaningful. This year’s conference therefore focuses on how we create experiences that are fun, meaningful and valuable, and why that is the decisive factor. Grim Jernudd from Change the Game opens the day together with several others and frames what we actually mean by movement that matters.
Morning: inner confidence and fresh thinking in preschool From Canada comes Emmanuel Bochud, Director of Development and Innovation at the Research Center for Human Potential, affiliated with the National Circus School in Montréal. Emmanuel has an unusual background – he started out as a street performer and has spent more than twenty years travelling the world as a trainer and senior advisor for Cirque du Monde, Cirque du Soleil’s social circus programme. From the favelas of Brazil to the townships of South Africa, Mongolia, Australia and Europe, he has worked with circus as a tool for social change. In Umeå he speaks on, and leads a Special Training in, Confidence by design – how we build inner and outer confidence through movement experiences. More about Emmanuel >
– Through quality movement experiences I believe we can develop all kind of emotional, social or cognitive skills, säger Emmanuel Bochud.
More about Emmanuel >
Linda Wallberg and Maria Skyttner from Föreningsalliansen Bollnäs present Förskola på tur (Preschool on the Move) – a fresh approach that has built confidence, lasting health and a genuine joy in moving. One of those examples that shows it is possible to make a difference with the resources you actually have.
Afternoon: environments, a national push and sport as a social movement After lunch, leaders from four clubs taking part in the development programme Skina som de borde (Shine As They Should) share their lessons and successes: Kaaos Kaamos, Sunnanå SK, Umeå GF and Vän i Umeå.
Emma Crawley runs Levande leklandskap & kreativa lärmiljöer and has worked on developing children’s outdoor environments in Swedish municipalities for over fifteen years. Her session is about designing physical environments that make room for fun, meaningful and valuable movement.
–My work often sits at the intersection of people, environment, governance, pedagogy and public administration, with a particular focus on how environments can support children’s play, learning, health and freedom to act over time, says Emma Crawley.
More about Emma >
Sanna Fjellström is an analyst at the Public Health Agency of Sweden and holds a PhD in health sciences. She works on the government’s mandate to promote movement across society, and will present Kraftsamlingen 2026 – the national initiative to increase daily movement across the population by creating the conditions for movement in six key sectors of society. The question she brings to Umeå: how do we build a movement-friendly society together? More about Sanna >
David Given-Sjölander closes the day with Folkrörelsen – where sport meets social change. More about David >
The day also includes optional tracks with workshops, and several sessions are designed to give participants time to talk to each other – new contacts and old ones alike. Our host for the day is Emma Bergman.
The whole week in Umeå The conference is the highlight, but the week starts earlier:
- 19 September – Open activities, 11:00–15:00
- 21 September – new podcast episodes on movement that matters
- 23 September – Special Training: Risky Play, 18:00–20:30
- 24 September – Conference, 9:00–16:15
- 24 September – Special Training: Confidence by Design, 18:00–20:30
The Special Training on Risky Play follows up on the debate that ran across many media outlets last winter and a webinar held in March. Pilo Stylin, of the Swedish Budo and Martial Arts Federation, is one of the trainers.
More about Pilo >
A meeting place since 2014 Every autumn since 2014, Change the Game has brought together researchers, programme developers and thought leaders from different parts of the world with one shared aim: to inspire a society rich in movement. For the past ten years the programme has rested entirely on the concept of physical literacy – a focus we are proud to have pioneered both nationally and internationally. Over the years the event has drawn thousands of participants from more than 30 countries and become one of Sweden’s most important meeting places dedicated to physical activity.
The event is organised by Change the Game Utbildning AB together with Balticgruppen, Umeå School of Sport Sciences at Umeå University, Region Västerbotten, RF-SISU Västerbotten and Umeå Municipality.
A TIP before the day! Have a look at last year’s introductory session (30 min), where you can take in the fundamental perspectives and insights the conference is built on. A good taster – or a refresher that will help you get even more out of taking part.
If you have any questions, you are very welcome to get in touch at hej@change-the-game.se.
See you in Umeå!
