Contents
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Number
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Content
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Page
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1
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Introduction
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3
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2
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Background
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3
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3
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Participants
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4
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4
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Sessions
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4
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5
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Conference Venue
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5
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6
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Accommodation and Transportation
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5
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7
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Experience
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5,6
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8
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Conclusion
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6
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Introduction
The 7th World Conference on Sport, Education and Culture was held by the International Olympic Committee (the IOC) in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), during the 5-7December 2010 in Durban, South Africa. Over 600 delegates from 130 countries were in attendance. The conference was themed “Giving a Voice to Youth” and sessions were held and presentations made in plenary and specialised (parallel) dialogue sessions.The feedback contained in this report is based on my personal experience and encounters throughout the event.
Background
Young people represent 18% of the current world global population. Thus, their development and inclusion in major decision making is crucial. The United Nations ‘2010/2011 International Year of Youth’ promotes the vital role of youth in advancing intercultural understanding and the importance of engaging young people transversally across society through sport, education and culture.
As noted by study conducted by the United Nations, there is an inseparable link between sport, education and culture. Sport is viewed as a fundamental framework that can be used to ensuring value-based education, youth empowerment, integration and developing a culture of healthy lifestyles.
There is widespread evidence of the fact that formal education systems do not ensure equal opportunities for girls and boys with different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. In the developing world these contrasts are even greater. Sport and physical activity can be used to close the gap by imparting skills and values to young people. Against this backdrop, sport has the potential to strengthen young people's wellbeing, self-esteem, confidence and motivating the youth to improve their employment opportunities.
The IOC in partnership with UNESCO had decided to host the 7thworld conference on sport, education and culture with the aim of discovering, sharing and developing effective ways to use sport to aid in youth development. They invited world leading sports organisations, personalities and youth development organisations to participate at the event in order to gain a diverse array of views and suss out the most efficient way forward for youth development and inclusion.
Participants
Over 600 delegates from 130 countries belonging to various National Olympic Committees, International Federations,
Organising Committees for the Olympic Games, educational and cultural institutions, United Nations specialised organisations, governmental and non-governmental organisations participated in
the conference.
Among the delegates and speakers present was IOC President Dr Jacques Rogge, President of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee Mr Gideon Sam, Minister of Sport and Recreation of the Republic of South Africa Mr Fikile Mbalula, Paralympics Swimmer Ms Natalie Du Toit and Olympic medallist Ms Kristy Coventry.
The World Organisation of the World Scout Movement was invited by the IOC together with executive board member Mr Sam Ramsamy to send a representative to attend the conference both as a participate (delegate) and a speaker.
Sessions
Presentations were organised in to an interactive and engaging format. They were made in one of two categories: Plenary or parallel sessions.
Plenary sessions consisted of a caucus of all delegates at the conference.
Parallel sessions consisted of two sessions which ran parallel to each other, delegates could decide on which of the two sessions to attend.
The World Organisation of the World Scout Movement was invited to make a presentation at Parallel session F, entitled ‘Young People speak’.
The parallel session was themed around ‘Learning experiences from sport, education, culture and society. How the outcomes of the Olympic Congress Recommendations and the Millennium Development Goals unite to move the global agenda forward’.
(A copy of my speech will be printed in the Final Declaration Document of the 7thWorld Conference on Sport, Education and Culture. I will send this through as soon as it is made available.)
Conference Venue
The conference was held at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Durban.
Accommodation and Transportation
Delegates were based at the Hilton Hotel and the Royal Hotel for the duration of the conference.
Transportation to and from the conference venue was organised by the city (Durban) municipality by means of a shuttle service.
Experience
At the opening ceremony of the conference, in his opening address, IOC President Dr Jacques Rogge acknowledged the presence and attendance of the World Organisation of the World Scout Movement; he mentioned the outstanding work of the Scout Movement in ensuring Youth development throughout the world and also its impact as the largest youth organisation in the world.
This set the stage and highlighted the presence of scouting.
Throughout the conference I was treated with warmth and kindness by the fellow delegates and organisers. I found the conference to be intriguing; it opened my eyes to the power of sports and psychical activity. It was refreshing to find that the vast majority of delegates present where pasted Scouts and Boy scouts. This showed the capacity that can be gained from the Scout Movement and also took much stress off with regards to relating to others.
I did my best to uphold the outstanding universal image of scouting. I attended all sessions in Scout uniform and I was approached by various organisations that were impressed by the work performed by scout movement throughout the world.
I attended the following sessions:
Sunday, 5 December 2010
Opening Ceremony
Monday, 6 December 2010
Plenary one
Education, Sport and Culture: The Inseparable Trio
Parallel session B
Empowerment through Sport Engagement
Plenary two
The role of youth in promoting inter-cultural dialogue through sport
Parallel session C
Developing a culture of healthy lifestyles
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Plenary three
Local realities in a global perspective: Education for sustainable development
Parallel session F
Young People Speak
Parallel session G
Legacy and Regeneration: The healing powers of sport
Plenary 4
Closing Ceremony – Youth Caucus
Conclusion
I would like to formally thank the World Organisation of the World Scout Movement, the South African Scout Association, the Kwa-Zulu Natal Scout Association and the Shallcross Scout Group for providing me with the opportunity to represent the movement, which was indeed a privilege and honour. The power of scouting is immense, with our continued efforts in the development of the youth we are ensuring the creation of better individuals, communities, countries and a planet at large.
