It seems only just the other day I was wishing you a happy and healthy start to the year 2002, and now it is time to again wish you the best for the new year, 2003. The years seem to be flying by, however when I stop and reminisce on the year 2002, I am grateful to think of the chances I have had to meet and talk with the members and partners of ICSSPE in various locations around the world. One of my highlights from last year, was presiding over the meetings of ICSSPE in Manchester. The Manchester meeting provided many special features, one of these was the first meeting of the Regional Co-ordinators for ICSSPE. With this meeting, we started a process to further strengthen the work of ICSSPE in the different regions of the world. Please find out who the co-ordinator in your area is and get in touch with them if you have any issues or ideas that may assist in spreading the work and message of ICSSPE within the region. I look forward to another great meeting of the boards of ICSSPE in Pretoria, South Africa in September this year and hope that we will again have great attendance by all members and partners.

In January, ICSSPE was represented by Mr Mailliet, Prof. Talbot and myself at the UNESCO Round Table of Ministers responsible for physical education and sport. The focus of the talks 3 important following MINEPS III: PE and sport in the educational environment, protection of young athletes, and the fight against doping. ICSSPE played an important role in this meeting, presenting a keynote address entitled Strengthening physical education and sport in the educational environment and also a position paper on Protecting Young Athletes.

In February, Magglingen Switzerland will host an international conference on Sport and Development. This will be an important event for the further progression of the case for quality physical education as an integral component to the school curriculum. I will be chairing a panel on the role of PE and sport in human development and we have prepared on behalf of ICSSPE a discussion paper for this session. The recommendations from the meeting will be forwarded to the Secretary General of the United Nations by Mr Adolf Ogi, special advisor for peace and development, who endorses and will be attending the meeting.

As always, we are continuing to strengthen our relationships with our important partners, in addition to the many fruitful meetings and discussions with our long-term partners IOC, UNESCO and WHO and FIMS, I recently met with GAISF’s representatives when I attended their GAISF Congress and General Assembly in Colorado Springs in November last year. We are hopeful to intensify the links between our two organisations and find common areas or interest where we can co-operate.

As you are aware from reading this issue of the Bulletin, it has undergone a major make-over. We hope that this new on-line version of the bulletin means that more members will be able to access this important information so that we can increase our ability to communicate within the ICSSPE family. Congratulations to the ICSSPE Executive Office on this first successful On-line Bulletin and to Astrid Lange, our Internet and Bulletin developer for your great work.

With best wishes for a successful and enjoyable 2003,