No.44 May 2005 |
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Introduction
It is a matter of historical record that the widespread
concerns, particularly in the 1990s, led to the International Council
for Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE) initiated worldwide
survey into the state and status of physical education in schools. An
important outcome was the ICSSPE World Summit on Physical Education
3-5 November 1999 in Berlin supported by the International Olympic Committee
(IOC), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
(UNESCO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). The disseminated worldwide
survey findings reaffirmed the previously posited perilous situation of
physical education by revealing disquieting globally common trends and
issues. At best it seemed to occupy a tenuous place in the school curriculum
and, generally it was not accepted on par with seemingly superior academic
subjects concerned with developing a child's intellect. The survey also
pointed to inadequate watching briefs on what was happening in physical
education and also highlighted the need for more and better quality baseline
data in each country.
The Physical Education World Summit culminated in the formulation
of Action Agendas and an Appeal to UNESCO General Conference and
the Ministers with responsibility for Physical Education and Sport
(MINEPS III) meeting in Punta del Este, Uruguay (30 November-3 December
1999). The so-called ‘Berlin Agenda’ called for governmental
and ministerial action to implement policies for physical education
as a human right for all children in recognition of its distinctive
role in physical health, overall development and safe, supportive
communities. In making the case for quality physical education,
it also called for investment in initial and in-service professional
training and development for well-qualified educators and support
for research to improve the effectiveness and quality of physical
education.
At the meeting of the International Committee for Sport Pedagogy
in Manchester, UK in July, 2002, it was decided to hold a Seminar
within the Pre-Olympic Congress in Thessaloniki in August 2004 to
review developments in school physical education since the 1999
Berlin Summit and thereby have some indicators of short and medium
term outcomes of the Summit and its Action Agendas. This issue of
the ICSSPE Bulletin features edited versions of the five contributions
in the Thessaloniki ICSP Seminar, which embrace inter- and non-governmental
institutional initiatives, and continental regional and national
perspectives.
Dr Ken Hardman
Executive Board Member International Society for Comparative Physical Education and Sport (ISCPES) Manchester, UK Email: ken.hardman@tiscali.co.uk ![]() http://www.icsspe.org/portal/bulletin-may2005.htm |