"Learn to Respect People from All Walks of Life"

This year's "Communities and Crisis" seminar provides opportunities to exchange knowledge with experts such as Dean Ravizza and Lydia la Rivière Zijdel.

Dean Ravizza (Salisbury University, USA) will talk to the participants and hold a presentation on “The Usage of Sport for Vulnerable/Disadvantaged Children”. With regard to the topic he says: “I expect that participants will understand, firstly, a number of key factors that create vulnerabilities for children and youth including disease, disability, war, separation, disaster, and exploitation; secondly, recognise signs of these vulnerabilities within communities; and thirdly, understand how sport can play a role in the prevention of and rehabilitation from such vulnerabilities. I will also share with the participants participative strategies for developing a strategic response through sports that addresses such vulnerabilities”.

Ravizza's work generally focuses on the intersection of research and practice to advance the use of sport for interventions with children and youth in armed conflict situations, former child soldiers, and other vulnerable children. He served as the principal investigator for a long-term research project based in Northern Uganda with a primary focus on the role of sport in the reintegration and social inclusion of children formerly associated with armed groups.

Lydia la Rivière Zijdel is another speaker conducting a workshop during the seminar. Her aim is that the "students will learn the variety of possibilities for teaching or coordinating sport and physical activities in crisis situations. They will learn to respect the diversity of people in general and especially in these situations. They will learn to be creative with limited means. Last but not least, they will learn about their own coping mechanisms in different circumstances. Above all, they will learn to respect people from all walks of life”.

La Rivière Zijdel offers classes on gender and disability within the MA programme "Disability and Development" at the Free University of Amsterdam, Netherlands. She has long-term experience in various African and Asian countries working with people with disabilities in educational programmes relating to sport, physical activity, self-defence and empowerment.

From 18 until 23 October 2013, a total of 16 speakers will share their knowledge with more than 45 participants and discuss topics ranging from empowerment and community building to psychosocial support and social development, all in relation to the use of sports.

During the seminar, regular updates will be made available through ICSSPE's Facebook website. As for Twitter, participants and speakers will be able to tweet about the event on our page (@icsspe), using the hashtag #CommunitiesCrisis.