ISCA Europe
Top Political Leader Meeting
On 5th and 6th March, in Copenaghen, ISCA Europe Top Political Leader Meeting took place. After introductions of Filippo Fossati, ISCA Europe president, and Mogens Kirkeby, ISCA World president, presentation round begun, with the interventions of: Philippe Machu and Jean-Claude Besnard (UFOLEP), Benny Andreasen (DGI ), Dusan Mitic (Serbian SFA), Rado Cvetek (SUS), Paolo Adami (FIAF ),Jakob Schouenborg, general secretary of ISCA, Oldrich Lomecky (SOKOL), Bledini Dibra (Albanian IRSH), Helga Gudjonsdottir (UMFI), Jim Conn (SALSC), Herbert Hartmann (DTB), Toni Llop (UBAE), Carlo Balestri, Daniela Conti (UISP).
The following discussion focused on sportforall definition, and it underlined how much sportforall is important for our society and for a reflection on sport clubs policies. To get political attention on grassroots sport - it has been said during the discussion - is not possible to identify one model only, but some ideas that could be interesting in some country to motivate and get political attention to drain funds for sportforall. Question is: how to communicate it? In the next meeting we need to formulise direct proposals, presenting useful instruments for creating policies. There is a research on market and sport made by German and French organisation, the results could be available for next ISCA congress.
These are some issues primarily debated: Structure/voluntarism, by Jean Claude Besnard and facilities in sportforall, by Benny Andreason (“there is the necessity to define which are the political messages. Saying we want more and better facilities is not enough. Those messages have to be made better and stronger especially doing them together”).
Sportforall definition - its importance for society and a reflection on sport clubs policies”.
Then the discussion is continued with further relations: Income and funding of sportforall organisation, by Jacob Schouenborg and ISCA's Role in future, by M. Kirkeby (“The European Union is preparing next actions: research on volunteering and funds; Eurobarometer data, interviews in all the countries, preparation of first Eu Sport Program 2010; consultation process for sport program (starting from 4thMarch); call for project on preparatory sport actions (volunteering, social inclusion and anti-doping) June 2010; Eu sport forum in Madrid 19-20 April”).
Finally Fiippo Fossati has suggested: “Bruxelles as location for next top leaders seminar, at the end of June we are trying to find 2 days during the weeks where the MEP should be in Bruxelles. The meaning of the choice is linked to the opportunities for making lobbying and it is urgent we start working as a lobby”.
In conclusion Steen Bille’s speech, focused on ISCA Europe Communication and Strategy (“Problem: media, they are not listening especially at a national level, so it is important to create a European lobbying to gain visibility and reach the press. The bigger step we can achieve is to create a European news of Sportforall. We know our numbers and we know how to read them. The first news should be on showing and understand the numbers of sportforall”)
