1st Meeting of EU Sports Directors in Bonn
The EU Sports Directors met in Bonn from 1 – 2 February to discuss the subjects of sport and the economy, sport and integration and anti-doping policies. The European Commissions White Paper on Sport was also on the agenda, which is to be adopted in June 2007.
The talks concentrated on the economic impact of major sports events such as the Olympics and the World Cup. In addition, the German Presidency of the European Council will continue the work of the Austrian Presidency of the Council to create a European satellite account for sport. This account is intended to supplement the national accounts by generating detailed information on the connection between sport and the economy, thereby enabling a comparison of statistics and sports-economy interactions across the EU.
The exchange of views in the field of Sport und Integration focused on social integration in clubs, while the discussions on the subject of anti-doping policies dealt with the promotion of cooperation between national anti-doping-agencies through an EU network.
The EU Ministers of Sport will convene from 12-13 March 2007 for a discussion of these subjects.
2nd European Parliament: Public hearing on sport in education
On 28 February, the European Parliaments (EP) Committee on Culture, Youth, Education, the Media and Sport held a public hearing on the role of sport in education.
In connection with the growing debate on obesity among children and the health risks in later life, the discussion at European level of the role of schools in encouraging young people to take more exercise is gaining significance.
The EU has no special competencies in the field of sport. However, Art. III-282 of the constitution, which has currently been shelved, says that the EU should contribute to improving the quality of sports lessons through supporting and supplementary measures.
A study commissioned by the EP recommends at least two hours of compulsory sports lessons per week in schools. Also, school curricula should be modernised in order to arouse more enthusiasm for physical activities among young people.
At the public hearing, the European Commissions anticipated White Paper on Sport and the Commissions approach to sport in education were also presented. According to the competent Commissioner Ján Figel, the White Paper will discuss the amount of time allocated to sports lessons in curricula, the quality of training and possibilities of exchanging the best experience at EU level.
