Promoting and Developing Sport for Youth: Cooperation and Collaboration in School and Community Workshop organized by the People 2 People Programme and the European Union Office in Kosovo, Pristina, 8-9 October 2013
Why this workshop? This workshop focussed on promoting and developing sport for young people in schools and communities in Kosovo. Through the exchange of views and knowledge amongst authorities, civil society representatives, academia and experts in other countries, it aimed to find an overall picture and direction of measures for sport promotion for youth in Kosovo. The workshop came up with a set of conclusions/recommendations which should be the basis for follow-up measures by the different stakeholders involved. Another similar P2P event could take place in 2016 in order to discuss and evaluate progress achieved. The event was open for the participation of representatives from Kosovo of Sports Associations and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) active in the area of youth, sports and inclusion. Members of Municipal Education/Youth Offices and Youth Action Councils were also invited, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, and the Faculty of Sport Science.
Conclusions & Recommendations
Working Group 1 Sport through Education (formal training) Moderator: Rapporteur: Harald Tschan, Sports Trainers project Aferdita Fazlja, MCYS Main challenges identified: Insufficient communication and cooperation between formal and informal institutions Insufficient promotion of physical activity through the education system Insufficient focus on the non-competitive aspects of sport in the curricula Lack of vocational training for actors of the sport sector (mainly teachers) during their professional life
Working Group 1 Sport through Education (formal training) Recommendations: The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Health, the Faculty of Sport Science and other relevant stakeholders should institutionalise their cooperation through legal/sublegal acts and systematically strengthen communication and cooperation. An advisory group should be created involving representatives of the respective institutions and other relevant academia and civil society experts. An assessment should be carried out to identify requirements and possibilities for changes of the curriculum, with a view to modernising the education system in the field of physical education based on the Bologna process and the recommendations from AEHESIS project. The importance of non-competitive aspects of sport (sport as inclusion and education tool), the job market opportunities for students, the vocational training opportunities for teachers shall be addressed in this study. Based on a thorough needs and stakeholder assessment, a project could be developed with a view to mobilising funding.
Working Group 2 Education through sport (non-formal training) Moderator: Rapporteur: Andrew Forde, Council of Europe Arbnore Berisha, PEN Main challenges identified: Lack of sports facilities in both urban and rural areas, which are accessible, well maintained, affordable, safe. Lack of general awareness of the health benefits of sport, of role models and of a general culture of physical exercise. Unclear roles and responsibilities of relevant actors and stakeholders and insufficient collaboration amongst them.
Working Group 2 Education through sport (non-formal training) Recommendations: The Government should: Provide new and coordinate and maintain existing facilities and ensure free and equal access. Identify options to mobilise funds for sport (i.e. taxes on sports wagering) Build capacities of trainers and coaches. Regulate volunteerism and create incentives for companies/csos to promote sport, volunteerism and sponsoring. Promote a healthy lifestyle and physical exercise through awareness raising initiatives. Promote and support the educational aspects of sport (promoting of values, enhancing awareness on certain topics, etc.)
Working Group 2 Education through sport (non-formal training) Recommendations: Civil Society should: Promote a healthy lifestyle and physical exercise through awareness raising initiatives. Empower young leaders, promote volunteerism. Cooperate and collaborate in order to strengthen community and grassroots movements and organise (cross)-community events. Enhance cooperation with the private sector, promote corporate social responsibility.
Working Group 2 Education through sport (non-formal training) Recommendations: Sport Federations should: Empower young leaders, promote volunteerism. Ensure inclusion and accessibility for all, irrespective of community, social background, performance, talent, disabilities, etc., and set targets regarding inclusion of women, communities, etc. Promote recreational and non-competitive practice of their sports. Enhance cooperation with the private sector, promote corporate social responsibility. Enhance membership and mobilise funds through the collection of membership fees.
Working Group 2 Education through sport (non-formal training) Recommendations: International Donors and Organisations should: Support CSO and grass-roots initiatives which promote sport. Share international good practices.
Working Group 2 Education through sport (non-formal training)
Working Group 2 Education through sport (non-formal training)
Working Group 3 Inclusion through Sport Moderator: Rapporteur: Tomasz Tasiemski Bexhet Binaku, Handikos Main challenges identified: Lack of diversity in the general sport culture (exclusion of vulnerable groups, women, communities, children with special needs, etc.) and insufficient public awareness of the concept of inclusiveness in sport. Lack of accessible facilities (number and quality of accessibility) and transport to and from the facilities. Lack of human resources who are trained and specialised in ensuring inclusiveness of sport (i.e. physical education teachers, sport trainers, etc.) Lack of governmental support to CSOs active in the promotion of social inclusion (including through sport).
Working Group 3 Inclusion through Sport Recommendations: The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, in cooperation with the Municipal Education Directors and the Municipal Directors for Culture, Youth and Sport, should establish a list of existing (school) sport facilities and their accessibility. The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport should provide increased support to sport clubs/associations that include also vulnerable groups in their activities and thereby create an incentive system. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the University of Pristina, Faculty of Sport Science, should ensure that training of trainers and physical education teachers includes training on special needs as well as on the inclusive aspects of sport (integrating girls, communities, etc.). Scholarships should be granted for specialised training abroad and post-doctoral positions should be created at the university.
Working Group 3 Inclusion through Sport Recommendations: The Government and civil society should increase public awareness of the concept of inclusiveness in sport (i.e. through media campaigns, promotion of large-scale awareness raising sport events, etc.) Civil society should increase cooperation and organise joint activities, thereby increasing the number of sport events (including for people with disabilities, vulnerable groups, etc.). Donors shall encourage the promotion of the non-competitive aspects of sport through funding of a study which could assess the situation and propose recommendations as well as through the delivery of grants to organisations promoting inclusive sport.
Working Group 3 Inclusion through Sport
Working Group 3 Inclusion through Sport
This meeting was organised by the People 2 People Programme (P2P), Civil Society Facility, DG Enlargement, in the organisational framework of the Technical Assistance Information Exchange Instrument - TAIEX of the European Commission CHAR 03/149, B - 1049 Brussels Telephone: +32-2-299 63 00, Fax: +32-2-296 76 94 Web sites: http://taiex.ec.europa.eu/ http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/taiex/p2p/index_en.htm and in cooperation with the EU Office in Kosovo, Cooperation Section Kosova str.1, 10000 Pristina, Kosovo Telephone: +381 38 5131 520, Fax: +381 38 5131 308 Email: gaby.hagmuller@eeas.europa.eu Website: http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kosovo/index_en.htm Workshop agenda and presentations are available here: http://tacso.org/news/p2p/?id=9805