Learning by Doing

From 18 to 23 October 2013, ICSSPE hosted the sixth edition of “Communities and Crisis – Inclusive Development through Sport“ in Rheinsberg, Germany.

The event brought together 45 participants and 16 experts with different backgrounds, who shared their knowledge and experiences. In the course of the seminar the participants dealt with psycho-social aspects of sports and gained an insight into various perspectives on how to plan and implement programmes in crisis settings. The seminar included more than eighteen workshops concerned with inclusive community building through sport. The main topics revolved around cultural competence, trauma, sport, inclusion, gender, psychosocial support, social innovation and monitoring and evaluation.

At the beginning participants were divided into eight groups and received a case study, which they had to work on during the seminar. The aim of this assignment was to apply the knowledge gained from the different workshops to a particular case and develop a suitable concept. The task required sensitivity with regard to designing a programme under consideration of aspects such as cultural diversity, gender and inclusion of all age groups.

More than 30 nationalities participated in the seminar and the multicultural environment was highly appreciated by all. In fact the structure of the seminar provided opportunities to share experiences, exchange ideas and learn from people from countries such as South Africa, Colombia, Oman, Pakistan, Canada, Costa Rica, Japan and Kenya.

The successful hosting of the event was ensured by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the Fürst Donnersmarck Foundation, Otto Bock HealthCare, Hotel HausRheinsberg, all Germany, Kennesaw State University, Katholicke Universiteit, Leuven, Belgium, as well as all workshop facilitators and participants.

Further information can be obtained from http://icsspe.org/content/communities-and-crisis