Background

Sport and Physical Education hold an important place in the lives of many EU citizens and have a powerful potential for social inclusion both in and through sport. Inclusion in sport involves aspects such as ‘sport for all’, equal access to and equal opportunities in sport. Furthermore, increased employment, healthy living, gender equality, solidarity and intercultural dialogue are main topics of future societies in the EU.

Sport itself does not necessarily foster societal change. For a sport activity to have societal impact, the education of teachers, coaches and trainers plays an essential role. In this respect, the professional competence, skills and knowledge of teachers, coaches, managers and exercise professionals is of critical importance. When considering the connection between sports education and societal values, the focus is not only on physical fitness and motor skills, but competences and skills in areas such as inclusive teaching, diversity management, relationship building, conflict resolution and counselling.

The ENSE Forum, Vienna 2019 will focus on the role of sport to address current societal challenges and seek to deliver answers concerning core questions such as:

• Is it reasonable and realistic to ask sport providers to aim for broader societal goals? And, if so, what goals can sport truly address?
• Is it reasonable and realistic to expect that e.g. sport coaches, exercise professionals and physical education teachers can use sport as a tool to systematically develop societies and societal skills? What competences do these educators need to acquire and build to undertake such obligations?
• Can we expect a transfer of experiences from sport to other domains of life and vice versa? And, if so, what kind of experiences?
• Can “real life” competence and experience be measured, assessed and awarded credits, and brought into the HE system?

Aims of the Forum

• Discuss and pinpoint solutions to key challenges facing sport education in Europe.
• Showcase current European projects (e.g. SPEACH, EDU:PACT, BLUEPRINT, COP4HL, SENTA, football3 for all) and create opportunities for future collaboration.
• Organize interactive workshops and activities.
• Encourage traditionally less represented countries within Europe and beyond (e.g.  Baltic Countries, Balkan Countries, Middle East etc.) to join the ENSE Forum and bring their specific experience

Confirmed Speakers and Guests

• Jean-Francois Lauren (TAFISA)
• Wanda Wendel-Vos (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment)
• Agata Dziarnowska (European Commission)
• Karen Petry (German Sport University / ENSE)
• Kristine de Martelaar (Free University Brussels)
• John Bales (International Council for Coaching Excellence)
• Michael Bronikowski (AWF Poznan / ENSE)
• Marcela Gonzalez-Gross (TU Madrid)
• Thomas Skovgaard (Southern Denmark University / ENSE)
• Helmut Höritsch (European Handball Federation)

More information on: http://sporteducation.eu/