NEWS 2007.

Speech of ENGSO Secretary General 
 

1. ENGSO

ENGSO is glad and appreciating to be invited as a partner in EPAS, particularly as we have been active in the CDDS in the past decades as a NGO representative (Mr. Bengt Sevelius was Chair of the CDDS as the NGO representative 1991-1993, during the “Break-down of the Soviet Republic, and NGO representative in the Bureau, followed by the today’s ENGSO Vice-President, Mr. Toomas Tonise, and during last couple of years, Ms. Birgitta Kervinen, presently the ENGSO President. 

2. THE STRENGTH OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

Council of Europe gathers and works with all European countries and not only EU, which is exactly what also the European sport movement is doing!

That means that the Council of Europe and the EPAS could have the opportunities to gather the GO representatives and representatives of the NGOs – the National umbrella organizations of sport from the whole Europe (compared to the EU limitation referring to member countries). 

3. THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE AND EPAS

-          The Council of Europe and its (formerly CDDS, and now) EPAS, has still the opportunity to be a forrunner when it concerns the sport for all for all European inhabitants! The Council of Europe’s “Sport for All Charter” is still relevant!

-          The Council of Europe and the CDDS Project “Spectator Violence” has been successful and concrete, and it has to be considered IF and HOW it could be actively followed-up.

-          The same situation is with the Anti-Doping development work which is one of the priorities where the Council of Europe and the CDDS played a “Paving the Way” role!!!

-          … But the most important thing is that the EPAS activities should not “COPY” (or cause double work) the EU projects or vice-versa… and that the Council of Europe give priority to only a few projects on which personal and financial resources have been spent! 

4. EXPERIENCE

What we in ENGSO have learnt and appreciated from earlier periods of cooperation with the CDDS is that a lot is spoken and decided by the political representatives… but nevertheless, we have felt that we, the NGOs – the “Doers” have been listened to and seriously accepted as a partner in the discussions!

We are ready, also here in EPAS, to be a serious partner, ready for support and cooperation (under the preconditions given for our presence??)