Fourth International Conference of Ministers and
Senior Officials Responsible for Physical Education and Sport
MINEPS IV
Athens, Greece, 6-8 December 2004 |
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Recommendations
Commission II
Physical Education and Sport as a key component of quality
Education for All
Preamble: Grounds
Recalling the results of the global
assessment on the alarming situation of physical education and sport in
the formal and non-formal framework of education systems and the urgency
of adopting specific measures;
Taking note of the Final Communiqué of the Round
Table of Ministers and Senior Officials Responsible for Physical Education
and Sport held at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, in January 2003, which firmly
recognized the importance of “physical education, as a key component
of quality education and an integral part of lifelong learning, [which]
contributes to the acquisition of ethical values and the encouragement
of fair play practices”;
Recalling the International Charter
of Physical Education and Sport, in particular Article 2.3 relating to
the role of physical education and sport in education systems;
Taking note also of the draft international
charter on traditional games and sports, initiated by CIGEPS in accordance
with its mandate and the provisions of the Declaration of Punta del Este;
Considering United Nations General
Assembly resolution 58/5, proclaiming 2005 the “International Year
for Sport and Physical Education”;
Noting with concern the lack of
coordination among the different governmental or semi-public bodies responsible
for physical education and sport (at the level of local and national systems,
public or private), in particular the difficulties caused by the lack
of consistency between the aims assigned to physical education on the
one hand and to sport on the other;
Aware of the need to respond to regional needs to improve
the situation of physical education and sport, preserve and promote traditional
games and sports and promote a greater synergy of efforts as well as actions
undertaken in the framework of the celebration of the International Year
for Sport and Physical Education at all the levels needed for its success
under the leadership of UNESCO, the United Nations focal point in the
domains referred to in United Nations General Assembly resolution 58/5;
In light of the continuing concerns regarding the state and status of
physical education and sport in education systems, we urge governments
to:
- take advantage of the many benefits that physical education and sport
can give to children and youth including distinctive contributions to
their physical, social, affective and cognitive development, as well
as acting as a foundation for lifelong physical activity and sports
participation, and develop ties of cooperation and collaboration between
physical education, sport and other sectors, such as health, environment,
culture, heritage and overall education, so as to encourage common initiatives.
- encourage a broad and inclusive understanding of physical education
and sport, to include sports, traditional games, and non-competitive
activities.
Therefore we recommend for adoption the following main actions:
- To ensure a secure position for physical education and sport within
schools for all children by means of an organized and resourced programme
of appropriate activities, supported by quality teacher training.
- To consider the development of an International Programme to promote
physical education and sport based on national and regional needs, focusing
on the following:
- The development of guidelines for basic standards
to address at primary, secondary and tertiary level the quality of
physical education;
- The extension and improvement of quality teacher-training
opportunities in physical education;
- The draft Charter for Traditional Sports and Games to
be submitted to the next UNESCO General Conference;
- The development of the capacity to assist and advise
States wishing to elaborate or strengthen their physical education
and sport training system.
- The development of an inclusive approach to physical education
and sport, with special regard to the participation of girls, women
and people with disabilities, characterized by values of respect and
tolerance.
- To establish an international mechanism to follow-up the recommendations
of MINEPS IV, allowing for the proposal of adjustments to take account
of local and national situations.
- As the lead agency of the United Nations Decade of Education for
Sustainable Development (2005-2014), UNESCO to play an active role in
using physical education and sport as an effective tool in the implementation
of this campaign.
- To support the International Year for Sport and Physical Education,
through the advocacy and the implementation of appropriate programmes.

http://www.icsspe.org/portal/bulletin-january2005.htm
Fourth International Conference of Ministers and
Senior Officials Responsible for Physical Education and Sport MYNEPS IV
Athens, Greece, 6-8 December 2004
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