Current Issues
No.47
May 2006
 
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Latin American and Caribbean Summit on Physical Education
Gladys Bequer

 

Declaration
Latin American and Caribbean Summit of Physical Education
Delegates from 30 countries met in Havana in the framework of the First Latin American and Caribbean Summit and the First Ibero-American Congress of Physical Activity in and through School, organized by the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education in coordination with the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER) and with the collaboration of the PHO and UNICEF Cuba, and Internationally-accredited Bodies, Organizations and Societies.
Being School Physical Education the most important topic dealt with in this Summit, the participants recognized that there are still millions of children without access to school; thus, it becomes necessary to provide the community with this alternative means of Physical Education. The participants adopted the concept of Physical Education as a long life process to which all people should access, regardless of their age or existing circumstances.
The delegates, experts and invited guests, after analyzing the current status of Physical Education in their respective countries and pursuant to the fruitful exchange of experiences, not only in the conference rooms but also elsewhere, have agreed to propose the following recommendations:
  • To reiterate, for its importance and enforcement, the agreements reached at the Second World Summit held in Magglingen, Switzerland, on the Millennium Development Goals, especially the call to the governments and PE educators to make Physical Education reach the development levels our children and youth deserve, in connection to the noblest dreams and aspirations of all participants present here. The delegates also pronounce themselves to support the Declaration on the Rights of the boy, the girl and the adolescent.
  • To demonstrate that there is still a lot to do in the hierarchization of Physical Education, particularly in the class hours, the curricular proposals and the true role this practice has to play in the development of the boy, the girl and the adolescent.
  • To open spaces for the systematic practice of Physical Education as well as for the sport facilities and the means for its practice.
  • To improve the Plans and Programs addressed to the Formation and Upgrading of Pedagogical Administrators considering that the human factor is the most important one.
  • This is daily demonstrated by teachers in the fight they carry out in their respective countries against shortages, misunderstandings, lack of support and vision on the benefits of the practice of recreational and sport physical activities.
  • To acknowledge the political changes and social processes implemented in our Continent, especially the ALBA (Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas) –an alternative that becomes a hope for our countries and that will enable the development of Physical Education and Sport in the region. This is based on the experience of the International School of Physical Education and Sports where youngsters from 79 developing countries study and whose voices stated the commitment to assume their responsibilities once graduated.
  • To create regional groups of collaboration and advisory that take actions related to the Improvement of the Programs aimed at strengthening the work of the Physical Education and School Sport-related educators and specialists.
  • To draft, through physical education, specialized programs and projects as per the boys and girls educational needs.
  • To generalize the major experiences developed by countries of this region such as Venezuela, Mexico, Peru and Cuba in the carrying out of Physical Education Classes Contests and to create a Committee of Experts that coordinates and socializes the expertise gathered in these events, besides analyzing with the international bodies engaged in the work with Physical Education, the possibility of providing assistance so that more countries be added to this experience.
  • To set up the selection and foster the best physical education educators of each country, paying attention to those who make the biggest contributions through their research and pedagogical work.
  • To foster the experience of some countries of the area and especially the contribution and leadership of Cuba in the conception, drafting, application and evaluation of the PE programs addressed to very sensible age groups, as the pre-school kids and those with special educational needs.
The participants in these events have the moral commitment with our children, adolescents and youths to become multipliers of the noble ideas present in the Summit whose goal is to develop every day and with more quality the excellence physical education services we must provide the future generations.
We acknowledge all the participants who have deign to make an effort, often of an economic nature, to travel to this warm country that has welcomed us all as brothers.
Let us work united to reach the beautiful aspiration that A BETTER WORLD IS POSSIBLE.

Issued in Havana City, on the 13 days of April 2006


Contact:
Dr. Gladys Bequer
National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation
Via Blanca y Boyeros, Cerro
10600 Havana
Cuba
edufis@inder.co.cu





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