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ENGSO declarations, written materials and other articles
about ENGSO
ENGSO President speeches at the important
Actual information from ENGSO member countriesOther documents
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VII EUROPEAN SPORTS CONFERENCE
“Dominating trends of governmental and non-governmental
co-existence – EUROPEAN Union Article” The title I am given to speak over “Dominating trends of governmental and non-governmental co-existence – European Union Article” is a very wide task to fulfil. I have decided to limit my speech to my own personal experiences and reflections from the European level from early 70th until now. In my capacity of ENGSO-President I take the opportunity to inform you that ENGSO is the pan – European roof of national non governmental umbrella organisations for sports, which cover all sports organisations in their country. It is an independent non profit organisation based on democratically adopted statutes and a majority of voluntary leaders, administrators and workers. ENGSO:s predecessor was the so called “NGO – club” founded during the 60th. Where the Secretary Generals of the National sport confederations of the many Northwestern European Countries took part. The main aim was to discuss sport political matters and relationship to the governmental institutions and to the socialist countries of Central and Eastern Europe. During the 80th the “NGO-club” changed its name to ENGSO and 1995 ENGSO was formalised as an official organisation with statutes, General Assembly, an Executive Committee and officially approved members. Today ENGSO
- defends
and respects the independence and autonomy of sport
organisations in
- safeguards
and
supports strongly voluntarism in sports – “the voluntary power
of - maintains a close relationship with European partners in sport; and
- considers
a close co-operation and partnership with
governmental authorities
NGO:s and relationS to existing intergovernmental institutions for sports on European level The “House of European Organisations/Institutions responsible for Sports” consists of EOC, ENGSO, European Sports Conference (ESC), CDDS of Council of Europe and EU and it’s the European Union (EU) EU-commission with the “Unit of Sports”.
Council of Europe – committee for development of sport (CDDS) The first intergovernmental institution on European level dealing with sports was the Council of Europe and its Committee for development of sport (CDDS). Main target group is the civil servants of ministries responsible for sport. The profile of the Council of Europe work is to defend and develop the “Human rights” and stimulate democratisation through education for democratic citizenship. During the 70th the NGO:s of CDDS-member countries could be invited to take part in the yearly CDDS-meetings which was decided by their national GO representatives. The main opionion was in the beginning that CDDS was forum for governments. The “NGO:s club”-representatives activated their GO-contacts which led to an open door for NGO:s and also an agreement that the chair of CDDS should alternate every second year between GO and NGO leaders, which was the case until 1993. This situation gave the NGO:s a status in CDDS. On the other side it was not to easy for a NGO leader to lead an intergovernmental institution where the political discussion was dominating, of course, and at same time keep up the NGO-interests. In connection with a recognisation of the seats in the CDDS-bureau, due to the collapse of the Sovjet Union and many new eastern European countries joining CDDS, one permanent seat in the Bureau was given European, NGO:s. This was a strong sign of willingness to co-operate and a stronger form of representation for the NGO:s. The tendency has also been that more and more GO:s have invited their NGO:s to be included in the national delegations. One weak point with the CDDS decisions seems to be that they are mostly recommendations and compared with EU-directives not legally binding which perhaps gives Council of Europe and its CDDS a weaker position in comparison with EU.
European Sports Conference (ESC) During the end of the 60th and beginning of 70th leading representatives from – as far as I remember – Austria, Denmark, Germany and Sweden from the “West” met their “colleagues” from the Soviet Union, DDR and Poland in the “East” for discussions aimed at safeguard and develop the sporting contacts in spite of the so called “Cold war-situation”. They reached an agreement to invite all countries in Europe to the unique bridge building “European Sports Conference” held in Vienna 1973. The delegations comprised by broadly-based high level national representation from both GO- and NGO-side. The Conference was aimed to be a forum which discussed sport policies, common crucial issues affecting European sports, ways of exchanging experiences (mainly through yearly agreements). It was not astonishing that the topics on the agenda during the first conferences were about “Sport and peace”, Sport as a means for international understanding, exchange of top leaders, coaches, researchers and teams for exchange of experiences. During the 80th the themes tended to be focusing on political matters and ways of developing sport for all target groups. Working groups were established on Sport for Youth, Sport for women” etc and not at all astonishing “Working group on doping-matters”. What is important to state is that the programmes of ESC to great extent have reflected trends and current political discussions within European sports. The very positive trend in the relationship GO-NGO in the history of ESC is that we, the NGO:s, have felt and in reality also had the same status as the GO:s both in the Executive Committee and during the conferences. Sport matters have been discussed from two angles but on equal conditions… and I feel that’s still the case! The weak point of ESC is that it’s a forum with “consultative” status where political questions and sports development are discussed and statements approved but without legal political status! Sometimes it has been proposed that ESC could or should be some kind of “Parliament of European Sports” but if has not been applauded. But think … if Council of Europe is “sun setting” the CDDS where could then leading representatives of GO:s and NGO from the whole Europe meet. As EU to-day represents only half of Europe ESC is to day then, the only opportunity for all NGO:s and GO:s of Europe to meet… or could ENGSO, perhaps together with EOC take some initiative to invite GO-representatives from whole Europe to a broadened ENGSO-FORUM which is organizised every year?
European Union (EU) and the EU-Commission In early 90th the EU-commission started to look upon sports and particularly on how the freedom of movement for individuals and for capital worked within the sports organisations. The “Bosman-case” was a “Wake-up call” for the whole European Sports Movement, particularly for UEAFA and other ball sports. A small “Sport Unit” was formed and a lot of time was, in my opinion, spent on marketing of EU in connection with big events as Olympic Games in Barcelona and Albertville as well as a big European Sailing Race. A good initiative was after NGO-pressure taken by the “Sport Unit” namely the yearly so called EU-FORUM where both GO:s and NGO:s - Confederations, Olympic Committees, European Sport Federations - were invited. These Foras were very informative but unfortunately to short a time was spent to discussion for good solutions of existing problems. A very positive initiative was taken when a so called “Steering Committee” was formed by representatives of the Sport Unit, GO-representations from the “Troika-countries” and EOC as well as ENGSO from the NGO-side. Main task was to plan for the Foras, to discuss crucial questions and inform each others. All this corresponds with the wordings in the Amsterdam treaty to “listen to” the sports movement in matters which concerns sport! The “Nice declaration” underlined the importance to respect the independence and autonomy of sports, take account of its specific nature and its structures based on voluntary activity. These sentences are key wordings also in the proposed “Supporting article III-182” including sports. To-day the Steering Committee and the Forums have been replaced. A so called “Consultation Conference” was held in June 2005 where “Voluntarism”, “The social function of sports” and “Doping” were discussed by EU-representations, researches and representatives of European Sport Federations as well as ENGSO and EOC. My dominating impression after about 15 years of “EU-experiences” is that it is very much one way communication from the EU-authorities and a great difference with CDDS and ESC when it concerns knowledge about and will to understand the NGO-movement – its preconditions, its structure and tradition. Most probable this depends on the fact that many of the directives and decisions of EU have legal status and thereby direct or indirectly are imperative for sport. It has also been noted that even if EU representatives often express themselves in a way as if EU covers the whole Europe that’s definitely not a realty! The EU member states are 25 of about 50 European nations so EU represents about a half of Europe! For a European Sports Organisation this is important to realise, even if it’s clear that many EU-decisions are affecting sports also affects non-EU countries and their sports.
Some reflections concerning the national co-operation and co-existence The GO-NGO co-operation in Europe differs very much! During many years after the Second World War it was, in my opinion, fully clear that for example the Soviet Union and DDR used top-class sports and the amount of medals in European and International Championships as well as Olympic games as a tool for marketing their political system both outside and within their country. Sometimes even to-day when asking about the development of sports in a country it can happen that it is reported by an announcing the amount of medals won in international or Olympic games… of course not for marketing the political system but perhaps as elite sport is the by far dominating kind of sport in that country. On the other side of the “Gauss-curve” you can find many Western and North European countries where the independence and autonomy of the sports movement is respected and broadening of sports “Sport for all” is a good argument for a stronger governmental financial support.
To-day the trend
in Central- and Eastern European countries shows improved
opportunities to broaden sport activities by increased financial
recourses for that purpose. Some still have great problems! In
the Western and Northern countries the social function of sport,
the voluntary activities and the voluntary leadership are highly
respected and appreciated – both in word and financial support.
A clear tendency seems nevertheless to be that the politicians
of to-day more often ear-mark the sub-sides for special actions
or make some kind of agreements with NGO-side for certain tasks
to be carried out.
Some other dominating tends in the GO-NGO co-existence “Sport for all” – Sport as Healthy Promotion –Keep Fit – “Healthy Lifestyle” – “Run for Your Life” There are trends in the society which strongly effects both NGO and GO:s. Sport as a tool for fun, wellbeing, social integration and health has been a frequent trend and ever lasting ambition both of the NGO-GO:s. Physical activity is an effective and inexpensive way to promote health and fitness for the population of Europe as a whole! The NGO:s play an important role on this field and form a future potential and resource in stimulating and promoting healthy lifestyle. Many special sports associations and clubs have long ago offered “Sport for all – activities directed to different target groups and those in Europe active “Sport for all”-organisations not to forget! But still there is a lot to be done by national umbrella organisations, special sports associations and clubs. A challenge for the future! On this field we definitely wish to improve our co-operation with governmental and local institutions as schools, universities, public health institutions/centres using our potential and competence! CDDS has with its “Sport for all-charter – followed up with the “European Sports Charter 1993” – given the ministries responsible for sports and the sport organisations very worthful guidelines! ESC has also raised this subject and treated it during conferences and in working groups. This topic seems to be interesting for EU and we hope on a near and stimulating co-operation with the Directorates involved. Here the “supporting article” proposed hopefully opens a wide door! A negative trend we have experienced under “Health” promotion. Under this subject “Health promotion” a big question-mark could be put when it concerns the political decisions concerning the subject “Physical education” in compulsory schools. Almost all over Europe the tendency has been that the time for the subject “physical exercise” in the compulsory schools has been strongly reduced! At the same time the amount of youngsters being INACTIVE has rapidly increased! Consequence: More and more youngsters are to-day too fat. We all know what this means for their future health! This is a challenge for the whole society and we representing sports on NGO and GO level, should use all our best arguments for a change of the situation. Here I do hope that “the supporting article of Sports” could open opportunities to convince the top-politicians that for the health of the young generation the curriculum has to be more open for physical exercise and that it is worth while to actively co-operate with the sports movement for the purpose of an improved physical and mental health in the society at large. A dominating joint trend in our co-existence has been the ambition to focus on EQUALITY in Sports, particularly when it concerns women’s opportunities to participate and take on leadership in sports! This is a topic of concern both within the society at large and of course also at all levels of the sport movement! The European Sports Conference having created a working group “Women and Sports” during late 80th focused at ESC in Oslo (1991) on this theme as the dominating one. The group is to-day working as a free Standing group and organises every second year a conference “Women and Sport” with a wide network in Europe. The preconditions for women’s sport varies very much in Europe due to political, cultural and traditional reasons. Nevertheless I do feel that a strong and positive development is on going! The governmental institutions are stressing and supporting the sport movement often criticizing sports movement to be slow in its action. That’s why the European Women and Sports Group (EWS) consisting of both GO and NGO representatives and most National umbrella organisations of sport have taken on board this great challenge…EWS has up until now done a good job in improving the opportunities of women’s participation and leadership at all levels in sport. For the moment the work is lead by our Austrian friends who will report during this conference.
CO-OPERATION WITH AND SUPPORT TO THE “NEW EUROPE” A strong trend among NGO:s and GO:s of many European Countries as well as among ENGSO, EOC, European Sports Federations and CDDS was to support the former Soviet Union counties after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Also individual countries took great responsibility to stimulate, support the creating of a free independent and democratic sports movement and exchange experiences for shorter or longer periods. CDDS formed the so called “Spirit programme” which involved both GO:s and NGO:s. A very successful joint project!
A SOCIAL VALUE OF SPORTS (“Social economy”) A very pleasant and encouraging trend is the to-days recognition of the social function and value of sports in society. It refers on one side to the voluntary leadership and voluntary work done by millions of Europeans for no economic benefit in favour of something they love, enjoy and believe in. On the other hand the values as educational effects, social integration and promotion of healthy lifestyle and joyful activities strengthens the position! Many GO:s looks therefore on sports as a significant recourse for the social development work of society. Among GO-representatives, partners and supporters it sometimes seem to be forgotten that the majority of the sport leaders on local level are working voluntarily on their leisure time for something they believe in! This fact has to be remembered when sport is asked to take on board tasks which primarily belong to the governmental institutions. In order to function effectively and attract people for voluntary work and leadership for the operation of non-profit organisation the sport associations and clubs require the strong support of society.
GOOD GOVERNANCE IN SPORTS One of the now dominating trends within sports for improving the quality of sports is expressed “GOOD GOVERNANCE”. It means to stick to the legislation, rules and regulations as the well as ethical values of sport, to efficiently use personal and financial recourses available, to formulate clear aims for actions, to evaluate the activities seriously etc. In this for the moment dominating trend in sports are on European level all organisations of the “European House of Sports” involved. On the NGO:s side both EOC, ENGSO and European Sport Federations have organised seminaries and courses. CDDS has in their programmes during the last years given priority to the subject “Good Governance in sports”. … but there have also been negative trends dominating the NGO-GO co-existence as Doping, spectator violence and rapidly developing commercialization
DOPING AND ANTIDOPING ACTIVITIES One question which has been almost a permanent issue on most agendas during the last 25-30 years all over the world is doping and how the fight against doping should be organized. From the early 80th, when sport leaders felt as accused on behalf of the athletes not acting fair, until to-day a constructive co-operation with the GO:s have led the fight against doping to a joint action by the sports world and governments. CDDS of Council of Europe and its European Convention on doping in sports, agreed upon 1989 and in force 1990, as well as the work of the Monitoring Group have been paving the way for antidoping actions in Europe. Within ESC the antidoping activities were high lightened during the two last decades of 1900-century. Many of us remember Sir Arthur Gold and his devoted action as leader for the ESC-working group for years.
The “World
Antidoping conference” in Copenhagen 2002 (?) was the
“break-through” for WADA and the world wide NGO-GO fight against
doping. It was great and of vital importance that sport
organisations and governments together have agreed upon the WADA
convention! The international convention on doping in sports
(“The UNESCO convention”) means that governments and sport
organisations all over the world have to go on supporting each
others. A lot of actions, work and practical solutions have to
be done. I do hope that the EU-commission, due to the wished
“Supporting article” finds opportunities to support the positive
antidoping wind blowing.
SPECTATOR VIOLENCE AND “RUSHING” COMMERCIALISATION Another working negative trend which has caused sports, mainly ball games, a lot of problems is “Spectator Violence” in connection with national, European and International matches. With the Council of Europe-convention against “Spectator Violence” representatives both from NGO-side, strongly represented by UEFA and national GO-representatives have worked out recommendations how to prevent such things to happen.
During the 90-th
and the beginning of the new century “Commercialization of
sport” seems to be “rushing”. Enormous money being paid for
TV-rights, as sponsorship, in transfers of players, for private
agents etc – sometimes out of the terms of sport. This threatens
both the credibility and respect for the independent sports
movement and the readiness of GO:s to strongly support the broad
sport activities.
Allow me to express some NGO expectations on the effects of an Supporting EU-article dealing with Sports In the proposals for a new constitution and treaty Sport is included in the form of a so called “Supporting article”! There is said and I quote, “The Union shall contribute to the promotion of European Sporting issues, while taking account of its specific nature, its structures based on voluntary activity and its social and educational function”… “Union action shall be aimed at developing the European dimension in sport, by promoting fairness and openness in sporting competitions and co-operation between bodies responsible for sports and by protecting the physical and moral integrity of sports-men and sports-women, especially young sportsmen and sports- women.” “… excluding any harmonisation of laws and registrations of the member states.” 1. The main aims of sports movement in our relation to EU is to safeguard the independence and autonomy of sports and to respect its specificity. It is important that the EU institutions realise that most sports are world wide organised and ruled in order to get the organisation, activities and competitions to function all over the world. European sport organisations are thus only one continental part of their international organisation and thus have to follow what democratically has been decided upon by the world organisation. EU decisions and directives therefore sometimes lead to conflicts between regulations of the sports world and EU, as we have experienced. Here early consultations and a positive approach from both sides could avoid conflicts! 2. Legislative protection of non-governmental /non-profit organisations – is necessary! In my opinion it is an important function of the society to improve the conditions for the operation of non-governmental/non-profit associations. The non-profit structure of associations has no significance in EU- legistration. It would be important for the EU-countries to recognise the civic activity of non-profit associations as an activity for the public good and not as a business activity! It is furthermore of primary importance that non-profit associations remain under national regulations! 3. The STATUS and conditions for voluntary work must be paid attention to in the European Union… and all over Europe! It is important to recognise the activities of the non-governmental sport organisations which are mainly based on volunteers. The non-profit activity of the non-governmental sport organisations is by nature not a business activity. The activities are managed and maintained mostly by voluntary persons working for no economic benefit. 4. A crucial question for the moment affecting both NGO-GO:s in most EU-countries is a strong wish that gambling must not be included in the service directive of EU. The national regulations should be safeguarded. It’s our clear opinion. Main argument is that the funds are primarily aimed at “public good activities”.
5.
In the next 5 years
(2005-2010) I hope on
*
that the proposed
supporting article will allow the EU-commission to
* support
for European seminars aimed at exchange of
experience 6. We, the European and National Sports Organisations, have in the nearest future – in good co-operation with our GO-partners – to make clear what we expect of the “New article” to actively argue for a budget-line of sports; and
to
get the youth activity of the sports movement – the far
biggest youth to actively argue for gambling not included in the EU service directs 7. When it concerns the future DIALOG between EU-commission and the Sports Movement our strong wish is that the national umbrella organisations of sport and the special Sports organisations will be heard before making important decisions on sports - at all levels of EU; and that sport matters and co-operation with the European Sports Movement will be horizontally included in various EU-programmes. Let’s in the future keep an open-minded dialogue trough mutual information, consultations and joint projects in an atmosphere of trusting each other! That could in my opinion be the challenge for all of us in favour of a positive development of sport for all people! I wish all of you “Good Luck”! Thank you for your attention! |
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