Founder of EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT project 21.08.1995
Timo Virtanen – General Manager
World Children & Youth Physical Education Academy (C.Y.P.E.-Academy)
Extended Professional Biography
Timo Virtanen serves as the General Manager of the World Children & Youth Physical Education Academy (C.Y.P.E.-Academy), playing a pivotal role in the organization’s international growth, child rights advocacy, and comprehensive strategic development. He exemplifies leadership that combines a strong ethical foundation, a clear vision for child welfare, and an unwavering commitment to humanitarian work in times of crisis and conflict.
Virtanen’s work is grounded in the deep understanding that children’s rights do not uphold themselves—they are realized only when societies, institutions, international organizations, and policymakers take responsibility and act decisively. Throughout his career, he has emphasized that children’s safety, education, and well-being are always measures of how civilized and humane our world truly is.
Leadership Rooted in Principles and Courage
As General Manager of C.Y.P.E.-Academy, Virtanen is known for his consistent, principled, and forthright approach. He does not shy away from highlighting issues related to child mistreatment, violence, war crimes, or violations of international agreements. He is among the few child rights leaders willing to publicly state what many think but few dare to say: the world’s leading organizations must be held to higher standards, and defending children’s rights cannot rely on political compromises.
Virtanen believes that child welfare is not a matter of political opinion—it is an obligation that no nation or international actor can neglect. Under his leadership, the organization has gained international recognition for its courageous and ethically consistent decision-making.
International Advocacy for Children’s Rights
Virtanen represents C.Y.P.E.-Academy in numerous international forums addressing children’s rights, education, protection, and the physical and psychological development of youth. His key focus areas include:
- Protecting children in armed conflict zones
- Ensuring continuity of education during wars and crises
- Securing civilian facilities such as schools and hospitals
- Strengthening children’s physical education, exercise, and mental resilience
- Developing international monitoring mechanisms for investigating war crimes against children
- Increasing the international community’s responsibility for child safety
Focus on Holistic Child Development
C.Y.P.E.-Academy’s work is built on the understanding that a child’s well-being encompasses physical, psychological, and social dimensions. Under Virtanen’s leadership, the organization develops programs that:
- Provide children with a safe and encouraging environment for physical activity and sports
- Support children’s psychological resilience and trauma recovery
- Strengthen children’s personal skills and self-confidence
- Enhance the resilience of schools, communities, and families in crisis areas
- Bring international attention to the implementation of children’s rights
- Support the recovery of children and youth from war-related psychological injuries
A Strong Voice for Children in Conflict
Virtanen has established a clear role in the international child rights arena: he is the leader who speaks out about children’s suffering in wartime and demands concrete measures to prevent it. He consistently emphasizes that children’s deaths and injuries are not “unavoidable consequences of war” but direct violations of international law.
He stresses that international passivity is in itself a failure. Virtanen states:
“If we do not act when children are dying, we lose the right to call ourselves humane.”This principle guides all his work.
Values-Based and Responsible LeadershipVirtanen’s leadership rests on four foundational pillars:
1. The Best Interests of the Child as a Guiding PrincipleAll decisions, partnerships, and initiatives are evaluated on whether they serve the best interests of children.
2. Transparency and Ethics C.Y.P.E.-Academy exemplifies that work on behalf of children must be transparent and aligned with international values.
3. Courage and Agency Virtanen does not merely condemn wrongs—he demands action to end them.
4. International Responsibility He builds extensive partnerships that strengthen global protection for children, especially those living in conflict or violence.
Timo Virtanen – A Voice for the Voiceless
Virtanen’s work at C.Y.P.E.-Academy goes beyond administration or organizational leadership—it is a personal mission. At the heart of his values lies deep humanity and genuine concern for the fate of children worldwide. He believes the world changes only when someone speaks for those who cannot defend themselves.
Therefore, the organization he leads operates under the principle:
“Children First – No Compromises.”
Virtanen continues to build systems that ensure children have the right to live, grow, and develop regardless of the circumstances around them.
His goal is clear: no child should be left alone—neither in war, poverty, violence, nor neglect.
Timo Virtanen working day in Mykolaiv city Ukraine May / 2025
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Working Day 17.08.2011 in Marefat high school Kabul Afghanistan
Sport against violence speech by Timo Virtanen 17.08.2011 Marefat high school Kabul Afghanistan
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CURRICULUM VITAE – TIMO VIRTANEN
Coach • Humanitarian Project Leader • Sports Educator • Massage Therapist
Specialist in Physical Education for Excluded / Marginalized Children & Youth
Freelance Reporter/photographer.
Website: www.cype-academy.org
Nationality: Finnish
Education: Sports Coach & Sports Masseur
PROFILE SUMMARYDedicated international coach, humanitarian coordinator, and educator with more than 35 years of experience developing physical education, football programs, and inclusion projects for excluded and marginalized children and youth in Finland, Bosnia–Herzegovina, Afghanistan, Canada and Ukraine.
Founder of several long-term humanitarian and educational initiatives, including EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT (1995–), which has provided sports, camps and educational activities to tens of thousands of vulnerable children and youth globally. Experienced leader in special groups sports (deaf, visually impaired, CP, intellectually disabled), women’s elite football, and crisis-area sport development.
KEY COMPETENCIES
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (Chronological)1986
1993–1996 – FC PoHU & KyIF
1995–2000 – Coaching in Disability Sports
1997–1998 – Visually Impaired Sports
1997
1998–1999 – International Humanitarian Work
1998–2000
1998
1999 – Special Groups & Youth Projects
2001–2008
2004–2005 – “In Our Team EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT”
2006 – FC Espoo Women & Training Roles
2005–2020 – Humanitarian Work in Afghanistan Conflict Areas
2007–2014 – Health & Wellbeing Sector
2015
2009–2023 – Cultural Work
2025–2035 – Ukraine Projects
2026–2036
FOUNDER ROLES
LANGUAGES
Coach • Humanitarian Project Leader • Sports Educator • Massage Therapist
Specialist in Physical Education for Excluded / Marginalized Children & Youth
Freelance Reporter/photographer.
Website: www.cype-academy.org
Nationality: Finnish
Education: Sports Coach & Sports Masseur
PROFILE SUMMARYDedicated international coach, humanitarian coordinator, and educator with more than 35 years of experience developing physical education, football programs, and inclusion projects for excluded and marginalized children and youth in Finland, Bosnia–Herzegovina, Afghanistan, Canada and Ukraine.
Founder of several long-term humanitarian and educational initiatives, including EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT (1995–), which has provided sports, camps and educational activities to tens of thousands of vulnerable children and youth globally. Experienced leader in special groups sports (deaf, visually impaired, CP, intellectually disabled), women’s elite football, and crisis-area sport development.
KEY COMPETENCIES
- Inclusion & empowerment of excluded / marginalized children and youth
- Special groups coaching (deaf, visually impaired, CP, intellectually disabled)
- Humanitarian project coordination
- Football coaching (women, youth, goalkeeper coaching, elite teams)
- Physical education development
- International cooperation (UN, NATO/SFOR, municipalities, NGOs)
- Public speaking, training & education
- Author of several books and sports manuals
- Freelance Reporter/photographer.
- Sports massage, rehabilitation & athlete wellbeing
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (Chronological)1986
- Coach & organizer for a football club serving excluded children, Hakunila Church / Parish
- Player-coach, Roihuvuori Gymnasium Football Team (1986–1987)
1993–1996 – FC PoHU & KyIF
- Player-Coach, FC PoHU (1993–1995)
- Coaching Manager, FC PoHU (1994–1995)
- Coach of the Year 1994, FC PoHU
- Youth Talent Coach, FC PoHU (1995)
- Goalkeeper Coach, FC PoHU (1993–1995)
- Goalkeeper Coach, FC KyIF Women, Finnish Premier League (1995, autumn)
- Goalkeeper Coach, KyIF/FCK Juniors (1996)
1995–2000 – Coaching in Disability Sports
- Head Coach, Finland Deaf Men’s National Football Team (1995–2000)
- Head Coach, Finland Deaf Youth National Team (1996–2000)
- Founder of Finland’s first disability football school for children and youth (1995)
- National development & organization of disability football for children & youth
- Founder & Coordinator of EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT, 21.08.1995
- Pohjola FAIR PLAY Award (10,000 €)
1997–1998 – Visually Impaired Sports
- Head Coach, Finnish Women’s Goalball National Team
- Coach of the Year 1997 – Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired
- Women’s Goalball Team – Athlete of the Year 1997
- European Championship Gold (1997), Nordic Championship Silver (1997)
- World Championship Gold (1998)
- Team achieved 14 medals at Finnish National Athletics Championships (1998)
1997
- Degree in Sports Massage – Finnish Sports Institute
1998–1999 – International Humanitarian Work
- Humanitarian Project EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT, Bosnia–Herzegovina
(7 sports education events, 50 m³ aid delivered with UN & NATO/SFOR)
1998–2000
- Founder, Chairman & Executive Director
Finnish Children’s & Youth Physical Education Association - Freelance Reporter/photographer.
1998
- Muscle Care Specialist, Nagano Paralympic Team
1999 – Special Groups & Youth Projects
- Head Coach, Finnish CP Football National Team
- FAIR PLAY Trophy Winner
- Member, Children’s & Youth Division – Finnish Sports Association for the Intellectually Disabled
- Founder and operator of KUPERKEIKKA national sports club for children & youth with developmental disabilities
- Organizer, national school-sport events under EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT
2001–2008
- FAIR SPORT TRAINER – sports massage & physical conditioning specialist
2004–2005 – “In Our Team EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT”
- Program for workplaces and families
- Lecturer; author of multiple sports education books
- Freelance Reporter/photographer.
2006 – FC Espoo Women & Training Roles
- Head Coach, FC Espoo Women (Finnish Premier League)
- Goalkeeper Coach, FC Espoo Women & B-Girls
- Coordinator of women’s and girls’ coaching
- Marketing Manager, Kuusijärvi Outdoor Center (2006–2007)
2005–2020 – Humanitarian Work in Afghanistan Conflict Areas
- Coordinator, EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT – Afghanistan
- Delivery of sports & educational materials
- School events, sport festivals, community support
- Timo Virtanen received an honorary award from the Afghanistan Olympic Committee in 2012 in recognition of his humanitarian work supporting sports and schools in Afghanistan.
2007–2014 – Health & Wellbeing Sector
- Wellness day organizer & massage therapist
- Coach, FC HyPS Special Groups Football Team (2010)
- Organizer: Sport Against Violence Days
- Kabul (2011, 2012)
- Toronto (2014)
2015
- Coordinator of EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT 20-Year Celebration
- Vice Chairman, AFA Finland–Afghanistan Association
- AFA / Coach for girls’ and boys’ football programs
- Founder:
- World Heart Trainers Academy
- World Children’s & Youth Physical Education Academy
- World Children & Youth Rights Academy
2009–2023 – Cultural Work
- Poetry readings in senior and veteran homes
- My Father’s Land – Fatherland
- Wartime Girl – Pearl of Ladoga
2025–2035 – Ukraine Projects
- SAVE OUR SCHOOLS – S.O.S. Project (2025–2035) 18.04.2025
- EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT 30-Year Anniversary Event with GO FLAMO , Mykolaiv, Ukraine (21.08.2025)
2026–2036
- Launch of EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT – United Nations Education Day 24.01.2026 Project in Ukraine (2026–2036)
FOUNDER ROLES
- EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT (1995–) – Major international program for excluded children & youth
- Finnish Children’s & Youth Physical Education Association (1998)
- Kuperkeikka Sports Club – Board Member (1999)
- AFA Finland–Afghanistan Association – Vice Chairman (2015)
- World Heart Trainers Academy (2015)
- World Children’s & Youth Physical Education Academy (2015)
- World Children & Youth Rights Academy (2015)
LANGUAGES
- Finnish – native
- English – fluent