2nd European Sport-for-All Congress Conclusions

Sport and Health - Conclusion note, on behalf of CESS and ISCA

The overall aim of the 2nd European Sport for All Congress "Sport and health" is to transform international knowledge and inspiration to national development.

The aim is to support all stakeholders, all sectors in relation to sport for all and recreational life – to move towards an improvement in quality of life - from our various positions  and with our various tools - to create better and healthier societies.

The background is global challenges

Societies around the world naturally faces different challenges, but the past years and especially recent months have shown us that in a world ruled by globalization, challenges have also become global. The global challenges are having strong impact at national level, at local level and on the quality of life of the individual.

Some of the major challenges which have been on the agenda at this Congress are major:

•    General economic stagnation
•    Health – both seen from societal and individual perspectives
•    Ageing populations
•    Integration and Intercultural Dialogue
•    Climate and environmental changes

Contribution from Stakeholders

The stakeholders of the sector involved in Sport for All have given examples of practice and solutions. The stakeholders have presented initiatives that all are meant to reach and improve the quality of life for the individual citizen.

• Municipalities and regional governments – have presented overall strategic policies and planning models for infrastructure.
• Other municipalities have presented public run programme and projects.
• The education and knowledge sector – have given facts, findings and recommendations to both public institutions and civil society organisations. They have sent two strong messages especially to sport for all organisations:
• to have more focus on the evidence based argumentation and to ensure quality of  programmes and services – if these programmes and services are subjects for a cross sector cooperation.
• The corporate sector has presented initiatives both form a Corporate Social Responsibility perspective and from equipment development perspective.
• Public health sector stakeholders have presented programmes and guidelines to assist communication and cooperation between the two very different sectors – public health medical sector and the sport sector.
• Civil society based organisations both in terms of traditional sport organisations and thematic and topic defined organisations and foundations have presented social programmes.

Whether, we look on the solar system , where the target is - as mentioned by Rafel Niubo - the sun – whether this is the individual citizen or a groups of citizens. Either organised in traditional clubs or loose networks, the challenge is the same - to create better and healthier societies.

That challenges are clear. And, so are the tools.

If we take the examples and practices – from over 25 different countries – presented at this congress and implement them in our various societal contexts, we are very close to have a complete set up for how to ensure good and healthy society.

For this inspiration, we would like to thank presenters very much.

Two Sport for All umbrella organisations (CESS and ISCA) have organized this congress. We also hope that we have exposed our challenges, our efforts and the areas where sport for all organisations are competent partners for cross sector cooperation.

In the following week, the sport director of the European Union will meet and discuss “European Policy Guidelines for Sport”. In a few months it is assumed that Sport Ministers will debate and perhaps accept – these new guidelines for – in fact themselves and us.

This is a clear signal to all of us – from various sectors – but with the aim of creating better and healthier society, to increase our political lobby to secure that new ideas, the new regulations and legislation – is in line with our goals.

It is our hope that this congress, the ideas, the new partnerships and the existing network and cooperation can secure that our influence on this political process is maximised.  
In this sport political field is not only about participation – it is about winning the confidence and respect  and to put forward our position - as strong and effective as possible.

On behalf of Ubae, CESS and ISCA, I thank you – and wish you success in realising your goals and thereby contributing to quality of life, better and healthier societies.