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16 November 2004
The 10th World Sport for All Congress ended this past Sunday
in Rome with the adoption of the final declaration. This
declaration urges governments and the relevant public and
private sector sport, health, education and environmental
organisations to recognise the need for Sport for All
programmes, and to deliver real actions.
Health, social, education and environment
The Congress asked all the relevant authorities and
organisations to take health, social, education and
environmental issues into account when developing and
implementing sport and recreation policies.
Increase in financial and administrative support
The Congress also appealed to governments and the relevant
organisations to increase financial, administrative and
policy support and incentives for Sport for All and lifelong
physical education, in order to maximise the benefits to the
population, including the social and economic development
engendered by sport and recreation in the community.
Strong partnerships
Furthermore, the Congress strongly reaffirmed the Barcelona
1998 Sport for All Congress declaration, calling upon all
governments and voluntary organisations:
- to establish and strengthen partnerships in support of
physical education
- to create an environment in which it is valued, and
- to implement actions to reverse the declining trend in
physical education, especially in schools.
Important role for the Olympic Movement
This Congress recognised that the Olympic Movement, in
acknowledging the importance of Sport for All actions, can
play an important role in encouraging, supporting and
promoting sport and recreation programmes in the community.
International Year of Sport and Physical Education
The declaration by the United Nations making 2005 the
International Year of Sport and Physical Education provides
an opportunity for everybody to make a real difference. This
initiative challenges the United Nations and all affiliated
organisations to move to real action and to focus on
delivery of results.
1,200 participants
On thousand two hundred participants, from 112 countries,
attended the congress, representing sports organisations,
governments at all levels, academic and community
organisations, and United Nations agencies.
Next congress in Havana
Finally, the Congress notes that the next World Sport for
All Congress will be held in Havana, Cuba, and will review
progress in the development of Sport for All policies and
actions.
(reprinted
from the IOC)
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