|
According to the decision taken by the First General Assembly of EFPM, the EFPM announces a declaration after each General Assembly. Therefore
you will find below the declarations of the General Assemblies.
The
1st General Assembly
September
23, 1995 / Istanbul - Turkey Responsibility of the Media Believing that Fair Play and sportsmanship in sports as well as tolerance and non-violent behavior in societies are important facets of the quality of life, and that the sports media has a vital role in affecting people�s behavior, it is proposed that: 1. The sports media
should do its utmost to promote, inform and propagate the concept and
understanding of Fair Play and Olympic education in the society and should
take a stand against violence, attacks and the attitude behind �winning
at all costs.� 2. To reach to final
goal, which is sportsmanship, the targets designated for the media, in
order for them to be enlightened and to be achieved are stated as follows: - Players, athletes and
sports competitors. - Spectators and
supporters. - School children,
students, their parents and teachers. - Sports organizers,
trainers and coaches. - Referees and
officials. 3. We call upon the
members of the media: -
To be involved within the national Fair Play organizations and collaborate
with their administrative organs. -
To be objective and impartial. -
To strive to improve themselves in Fair Play principles through better
training of themselves. -
To insist on the educational aspects of the traditional and electronic
journalism. -
To appreciate the true Fair Play actions of the athletes and sports
participants. -
To avoid being involved in the interest conflicts concerning the
organization of sports events. -
To avoid the over-emphasizing of corruption, scandals, chauvinism,
fanaticism, hooliganism, violence and doping. -
To avoid the propagation of the concept �wining at any cost�. -
To avoid the over-exaggeration of the sports events and incidents those
have not yet been justified. The
2nd General Assembly
September
14, 1996 / Warsaw - Poland Fair
Play, Sport and Education The delegates of
nineteen European countries, participants of the Second EFPM General
Assembly, meeting in Warsaw on 14 September 1996, declare that: 1. Fair Play and fair
sporting attitudes, as well as tolerance and non-violent behavior are
among the most important features of youth education. 2. Sport and the
promotion of Olympic ideals are vital parts of education, particularly for
young people. 3. Sport as young
people�s favorite active pastime offers a wide range of opportunities
for the development of a healthy personality as well for socio � ethical
development. 4. Sport must only be
seen as an instrument, the effectiveness of which depends on how it is
used and on the kinds of social interactions, which are created within it.
The educational environment must play the central role in this
area. 5. Those involved in
formal education have a particular responsibility to promote Fair Play,
tolerance and mutual respects. Therefore
we recommend: A. National Governments to1. Consider Fair Play and tolerance as an essential part in the successful development of young people deserving the higher priority from all those who influence and promote good sporting experience and Olympic education for young people. 2. Include the promotion
of Fair Play, tolerance and mutual respect in sport as a central subject
of the physical education provided at schools, at all levels. 3. Prepare specific
training and information material to support teachers and coaches in their
Fair Play actions. B. National sports organizations to1. Organize and develop
the structure and models of youth sport competitions according to young
people�s needs and aspirations, thus creating the opportunity for
self-fulfillment. 2. Encourage sports club
administrators to consider education in Fair Play as a part of their role
and responsibility. 3. Implement schemes in
youth sport (school sports and sports clubs) which reward Fair Play and
proper behavior. The
3rd General Assembly
July
19, 1997 / Oeiras - Portugal Fair Play and Top Level Sport The delegates of the
nineteen national Fair Play organizations participating in the 3rd General
Assembly of the EFPM held in Oeiras on 19th July 1997, declare that: Great sports teams and
leading athletes often serve as idols and role models for young people. Important sporting
events are followed by an ever-increasing number of spectators;
consequently, top-level sport provides a unique opportunity for
transmitting the message of the sporting spirit, Fair Play, tolerance and
antiracism. Each athlete must have a
desire to win, especially in top level, professional sport where athletes
must give up many of the pleasures in life in order to be able to reach
their goals. This is where the strength of top-level athletes lies. For these reasons, great sports teams and leading athletes must be more aware than anyone that their behavior will act as an example for many athletes, especially younger ones. Therefore they must; - Comply with the rules
and the spirit of sports. - Accept the decisions
of judges, referees and umpires without question or protest. - Refrain from
attempting to improve their performances by means of the use of drugs. - Exercise self-control
at all times. - Accept victory and
defeat with good grace. - Treat their opponents
with the respect due to them at all times. - Refrain from seeking
victory at any cost. The
4th General Assembly
September
26, 1998 / Athens - Greece Spectator Conduct and the Fair Play Idea Spectator behavior at
sporting events is an important contributory aspect to the quality and
standards of Fair Play in the wider sporting context.
The EFPM believes that actions should be taken to try to modify the
behavior of spectators in such a way as to eliminate violence and other
inappropriate supporter behavior. Every effort should be
made to encourage spectators to see sporting events as important aesthetic
and artistic aspects of physical culture as well as an important vehicle
for the expression of collective excitement and enthusiasm and forms of
identification and local solidarity.
Strong support among spectators is to be expected in competitive
sport, but it must also remain within well-established and acceptable
limits. Therefore
we recommend: For
spectators: 1.1 Supporters should be
encouraged to know the rules of sport.
They should not forget that referees, judges and umpires have more
experience and a much better view of what is happening than they do.
Like the players, referees will make mistakes from time to time.
These should be accepted. Without
a referee there is no game. Their
efforts should be respected and problems understood. 1.2 Every good game
needs a good opponent. Even
the keenest opponent is not an enemy.
Sport is not war. No
one enjoys losing, but defeat should go hand-in-hand with appreciation for
the skill and spirit of the opponent.
Those who lose always return to win another day. 1.3 Most supporters want
to shout and support their club or favored athlete.
Supporters want to be involved, to be part of the event.
They help to give sport its special character and atmosphere.
But opponents should not be humiliated or abused for racial, ethnic
or religious reasons. Sport
is about performance and participation, not about the origins of your
opponents. Positive support
is called for � not negative abuse.
All such abuse should be opposed.
Sport is for all. 1.4 The manner in which
support is expressed in the stadium and the language, which is used there,
should not offend other supporters. Most
arenas offer opportunities for all kinds of people to attend. Language and actions should therefore be appropriate to those
who are around. Spectators
should be sensitive to the standards of others. 1.5 Objects should not
be thrown, nor should there be fighting in the stadium, regardless of what
the provocation may be. Such
behavior is dangerous in its own right but it can escalate and turn the
stadium into a very dangerous place for all.
Players and officials are also distracted by disturbances of this
kind; spectator violence has no place in sport.
Those who fight often claim that they �care� for their clubs,
but do not think about the consequences of their actions for all
supporters. Those who are
smart will not get involved in such actions. 1.6 Sports events are
there to be enjoyed. Enthusiastic
participants who are proud of their clubs and athletes are welcomed. All behavior must ensure that no one is put at risk of injury
or arrest. The whole future
of sport depends on supporters being able to accept that things will not
always go in favor of their position or their views.
There is always another day to play and to compete. For
Sports Stadium Managers: 2.1 Where appropriate,
and especially for �high risk� matches, consideration should be given
to restricting or banning the sale of alcohol in and around sport stadium. We recognize that in some cultures drinking and friendly
supporter behavior go together; unfortunately, in others, drink can help
provoke violence. Where
possible, national teams should avoid commercial and sponsorship links
with alcohol. 2.2 Stadium managers
should ensure that stadium facilities are up to a high standard and that
measures to ensure the safety and comfort of all spectators are put in
place, including spectator segregation and, where appropriate, CCTV.
Visiting supporters should be catered for in the same way, and at
the same prices, as home supporters.
They should be made to feel a welcome part of the event, not
unwanted intruders. 2.3 The media should be
encouraged to support campaigns designed to defuse potentially violent
encounters. These campaigns
may also involve supporters and the police.
If the media offend, clubs should consider appropriate action,
including the temporary exclusion from future events of those who report
misleadingly. The media and clubs must also report on good behavior and
salute and reward supporters who perform well in this respect. 2.4 Club officials,
supporters, police and stewards should be required to attend workshops on
aggression management and violence control in order to improve the
collective understanding of the sources ad consequences of violence.
Police and stewards should learn, especially, how best to prevent
small incidents escalating into violent confrontations. Police and stewards should be provided in sufficient numbers
to ensure the safety and security of all supporters. Sports events should not be addressed as potential riots.
A very large percentage of all sports events pass off trouble free.
Police should avoid provocative modes of presentation and, at all
times, act to prevent, not stimulate disturbances. 2.5 Stadium managers
should ensure that comprehensive information is provided in the stadium so
that supporters are kept properly informed about what is happening. Matches should, whenever possible, keep to the schedule; if
this is not possible supporters must be fully informed about the reasons
for delays. 2.6 The opposing team
should always be housed in facilities similar to those made available for
the home team. Teams should
take the field together and be made to demonstrate their keen, but
friendly rivalry before, during and after the match. For
sports Clubs and Players: 1.1 Sports stars are
role models for the young. Despite
the pressure they face, sporting heroes have obligation to try to behave
in a reasonable way on and off the field or arena.
At the same time, we should not idealize sports stars and expect
too much. They have failings,
as we all do. We should hold
up realistic, not idealistic, notions of what we expect from sporting
stars. 1.2 Sports stars should,
themselves, be aware of the effects they can have on the behavior of their
followers. Violence on the
pitch can help trigger disturbances off it.
Players should never, knowingly, try to provoke opposing
supporters, though we expect players and supporters to show their
excitement at victories and goals scored.
This is part of the essence of sport.
But supporters and players alike should also be gracious in
victory. 1.3 Players should avoid
racism or discrimination on the field and expose and oppose those players
who are guilty of it. Sport
has no place for this sort of behavior, no matter what the provocation may
be. 1.4 Players should
recognize the role they can play among the fan community in coaching, in
education and in social events. This
should be organized as part of comprehensive �community programs� at
sports clubs designed to maintain contact between club sports stars and
local communities, even as top sports globalize in their development.
Clubs and athletes depend upon local communities for support and
services. This means they also have important local public duties and
responsibilities, beyond the simple staging of sport events. 1.5 Supporters who are
club �members� or season ticket holders often have little say in the
policies of sport clubs with respect to stadium organization, community
links, dealing with supporters, ticket pricing, etc.
Club structures would benefit from a little more democratization so
that supporters feel they are better represented, that they have a say
inside their clubs. This may
also help to improve the behavior of supporters, who will be encouraged
that they have a real stake in their sports clubs. 1.6 Major sports clubs
are businesses and must be run in a business-like fashion.
But sports clubs exist to play sport and to win matches as their
primary goal, not to make profits at the cost of sport. Those who run clubs and leagues must have the overall health
of the sport uppermost in their minds.
Good sport depends on healthy and reasonably even and fair
competition, not on the dominance of a very small number of fabulously
wealthy and powerful outlets. National
associations and governments must act more strongly to provide the sort of
necessary regulation in sport, which will help protect grassroots and
domestic sports interests, as well as promoting strong competition between
and among European competitors. This
is in the interest of all supporters and players.
Sport is too important, too significant a part of the national
fabric, to be left, simply, to the market place.
Excessive commercial interests threaten the uncertainty and drama,
which distinguishes sport from other mass cultural pursuits.
The
5th General Assembly
June
19, 1999 / Paris - France Ethics and Doping Our national
representatives from twenty countries met in Paris between 16th
and 20th June 1999 at the Fifth Congress of the European Fair
Play Movement. During this
meeting we worked on the following topic suggested by the French
Association for Sports without Violence and for Fair Play: We analyzed the serious confrontation between two conceptions of sports practice and thanks to the numerous and talented speeches given by the distinguished key figures from the world of sport, medicine, law, education and economy, we enriched our thoughts. We had three questions
to be answered: - Doping, why? - How can doping be
punished? - How can it be avoided? Reviewing the different participants in sporting life and their environment we tried to draw for the next few years the lines of action with following aims: - To give prominence to
the goals of healthy sports practice - To find the profound
sense of sports performance - To give a real meaning
to sports. Since we condemn
unhesitatingly the use of doping substances by athletes we think that our
obligations are the following: 1. To respect athletes
from exposing themselves too much to the world of media and money and to
make them clear minded concerning the fever of the prestige, the image,
the fame, the cult of a hero and also to help them when morally and (or)
physically they become weaker. Top-class
athletes have to remain examples and the ambassadors of sports and they
cannot become victims or accomplices. 2. To multiply the
information at all levels; especially among young people with the help of
sports and school trainers and of course parents so as each athlete can be
directly concerned. 3. To introduce the
knowledge to allow an efficient presentation in school and university
programs and in the programs of the training courses for state and federal
sports managers. 4. To give trainings to
the whole medical body and its entourage, especially to sports doctors. These courses should be updated all the time in order to be
used in a professional way and to guarantee a large circulation in
families, clubs, medical centers etc. 5. To establish
immediately an international harmonization of the issue of medicines,
beyond national rules. 6. The national and
international sports federations have to set themselves limits on the
number of competitions since the multiplication of competitions suggests
the doping to athletes who are not able to follow the infernal burden.
Moreover they have to develop in their networks the circulation of
the preventive information by using all their means. 7. The Ministries, the
governments, the states and the European Union have to take part in
information campaigns, to encourage them, to support them.
They have to help set up the laboratories of research which could
improve the techniques and equipment of training courses and to organize
the structures which could realize intelligently and indisputably the
doping tests both at national and international levels. 8. And unfortunately it
is essential to set up the disciplinary and criminal measures, which are
aimed at sanctioning doping. The
measures should not concern only the offending athlete but also: - The sports authorities - The medico-technical
managers - The leaders of the
federations - The person inciting
the use of doping products, - The suppliers. The
sanctions have to be strict enough to be dissuasive and they have to
remain indisputable. 1. To search for an
inter-federal harmonization and an international regulation all the time
even if we meet some obstacles and difficulties. 2. To give
responsibilities to all decision � makers and participants of the sports
world, to persuade them that the game can be won only if we converge our
efforts and those of the media and the economic world. 3. To convince everybody
that is possible to become successful and to arrive at a top level without
resorting to doping. Prevention, Education
and Research are essential elements.
But since it is necessary controlling and sanctions are also the
unavoidable elements of a political intention of keeping the sports image
as a model of value in our society, a prey to doubts.
The public continues to associate this value with athletes. We hope that our joint
efforts will campaign for a real education of health and life. The national
representatives ask their president to pass on the present declaration to
the European Commission and Council of Europe, to the governments, to the
Olympic committees and to the sports federations of the members of the
Union so that the necessary measures can be taken against the recorded
problems. The
6th General Assembly
November, 2000 / Jerusalem � Israel (Instead
of Jerusalem - Israel, held on February 3, 2001 in Paris- France) Violence in Sport and Society The 6th EFPM
Congress was convened in response to the need to: - Define the
relationships between aggression and violence in sport and society. - Define the role of
fair play in educational settings, in the mass media, regarding abuse of
women in sport, and in terms of the law. - Provide policy makers
with clear recommendations for supporting and enhancing the concept of
fair play. Contributors included
those from disciplines encompassing sociology, criminology and
communications as well as education. These disparate
disciplines and professions presented concepts and principles, which were
shared among them in written exchanges leading to common understanding and
resulted in this document. It should be noted that
the full texts, which were to be presented in the congress, have been
included in this congress publication.
These may explain the necessary detailed support to the many
statements and recommendations included in this position statement. Preamble: We, the members of the editorial committee of this document, support the efforts made by the European Fair Play Movement for the advancement of fair play in all sporting events � to all countries, sports associations, clubs, sportsmen and sportswomen, and to anyone who assume roles related to the organization of sports and fair play in sport. We call on all sportsmen
and women, referees, fans, managers, administrators, trainers, coaches and
representatives of the mass media to observe the rules of fair play,
guided by the regulations of the different branches of sport and the
principles of mutual respect and esteem between all those involved in
sporting activity. Because of our obligations to establish an appropriate public sports system, based on the knowledge of the potentially positive contribution that sport can make to all participants, and in consequence of our aspirations to establish a competitive and equitable system devoid of violence in sport, we recommend the following concepts and principles. 1-
Aggression and Violence in Sport from a Sociological Perspective 1.1 It is absolutely
necessary to take radical preventive and suppressive action aggression and
violence in sport. Unfortunately,
the �law and order� approach to this problem will alone not be
adequate, since the underlying causes of the phenomenon must also be
addressed. It is therefore recommended that cross-cultural research be
undertaken in this field. 1.2 A policy of
�sweeping certain issues under the carpet� connected with unsporting
behavior on the playing fields and on the stands, will not solve the
problems, hypocritical approaches should end it.
It is recommended that all national and international sporting
bodies openly and in the full aware-ness of their responsibility confront
the erosion of ethics in sport. 1.3 Anti-racist
campaigns undertaken by various political, civil and sports institutions
must coordinated and disseminated throughout sport more deliberately and
resolutely. 1.4 Any kind of reward
for unacceptable behavior, violence, for example violence, on the part of
athletes, coaches, officials, or spectators must be ruled out. 1.5 Any kind of
unacceptable behavior, for example violence, must be penalized in such a
way as to ensure that the disadvantages entailed outweigh and advantages
that may be gained in a particular contest or in future contests. 1.6 Players, coaches and
officials must be encouraged to focus on skill, challenge and the joy of
striving for excellence, rather than merely winning.
Those who lose a well-played, but fair sporting contest must be
acknowledged to a greater extent than those who contribute to a poorly
played, unfair and fortuitous winning effort. 1.7 Workshops,
educational sessions, and meetings of athletes, coaches, officials,
administrators, parents and of community members as well as public
awareness campaigns must be organized to communicate both the positive
core values of sport and fair play, and the harmful effects of
unacceptable episodes in sport. 1.8 Participants must be
encouraged to see opponents as partners in the pursuit of a well-played
contest rather than as enemies to be eliminated or beaten by any means. 1.9 The pursuit of
sporting excellence and enjoyment must be encouraged by exemplifying fair,
honest and skillful competition. 1.10 In order to curb
peripheral and extended conceptions of un-acceptable behavior, such as
violence, in and around sport. 1.10.1 Media forums
should be organized to educate executives and personnel on the negative
impact of unacceptable and violent behavior in sport and among spectators. 1.10.2 Meetings should
be arranged with leaders in sport-related private corporations, non-profit
organizations, and governmental agencies to analyze and reform practices
that are deemed unethical, inhumane, and/or oppressive. 1.10.3 Sports
subcultures should be identified in which unacceptable and violent
proclivities are found and means should be sought to minimize such
activities in and around sports venues. 1.10.4 A �zero
tolerance� policy should be pursued towards those in the sports
community who engage in unacceptable or violent acts toward women and
minorities. Systemic
structures in sport that fail to eliminate such behavior must be changed. 1.10.5 A positive and
healthy concept of the sporting body should be encouraged and developed by
means of public awareness campaigns; the sports community must be educated
with regard to the kinds of assault and abuse, which can be directed
against the athlete in our technological age. 2-
Racial and Ethnic Hatred Programs and strategies
against racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism must cover three main
aspects: 2.1 An oversight
commission mandated to observe, monitor and combat racism, xenophobia and
intolerance is a positive political development.
In addition better education, better prospects for young people,
lower unemployment, the development of public exchange programs, and
similar measures should be added as good instruments with which racism,
xenophobia and intolerance such as anti-Semitism can be prevented or
reduced. These actions must
be undertaken by the state and normally occur over a long period of time. 2.2 Information packages
should be developed solely by the state and by sports and leisure
organizations. In most cases,
such actions are currently being undertaken, although it also requires a
relatively long time before information becomes concrete behavior.
These can only be accompanying or supporting measures. 2.3 To achieve
short-term effects, it is necessary to define and develop target
group-oriented* and situation-oriented ** strategies: 2.3.1 The first group
involves working on problem-solving strategies (i.e. bringing young people
of different races or ethnicities together or organizing round tables or
adventure activity projects;) 2.3.2 The second group
involves working out certain goals and objectives which underlie specific
sports and leisure activities (i.e. promote karate or judo in their
capacity as sports which develop personality and character, or to offer
team sport activities as a means of teaching young people fairness and
tolerance, or to organize outward bound projects to develop the ability to
rely on others and to take on responsibility for others, or to offer
multifunctional areas to allow young people to organize their own sports
and leisure activities and to promote a sense of self-regulation, etc.) * Target group-oriented
strategies are those, which inform and enlighten the educators (i.e. youth
leaders, instructors, coaches, etc.) and which concentrate on young people
who are (potentially or actually) at risk (i.e. hooligans, gang members,
young unemployed, substance abusers, etc.) ** Situation-oriented
strategies can be divided into two groups: 3-Schools,
Young People and Sport 3.1 Schools should offer
units of study with direct focus on tolerance, thereby defining this
concept and examining selected ethnic groups by a view toward promoting an
attitude of acceptance of their culture and customs. 3.2 Coaches and others
working directly with young people in sport should be given written
summaries of the units of study mentioned in 3.1. 3.3 Coaches, enforcement
officers, teachers and other educators working directly with young people
in sport should be encouraged to ensure that the salience of the
principles of tolerance are maintained in the everyday actions of young
athletes as they train for and compete in their sport. 3.4 A strong and
long-lasting partnership should be developed between law enforcement
officers and teachers and other educators. 3.5 School programs
should be created and developed that define improper behavior and the
appropriate negative consequences of such behavior. 3.6 The concept of
�fair play� and the words themselves should be instilled in the sports
activities at each and every school campus. 4-
The Media and Violence 4.1 From an
instinctual-cathartic point of view, controllable aggression in sport is
positive for participants and spectators, since it provides a
�civilized� way of discharging aggression. 4.2 Society must protect
itself from self-destruction, therefore the broadcasting or transmission
of violent sports should be controlled or eliminated as far as possible. 4.3 One of the strongest
learning itself mechanism involves the imitation of idols.
Sport provides many idols, of whom many stand out on account of
their aggressive behavior. This
means that learning by imitation of such behavior may have a long-lasting
and detrimental effect upon individuals and society.
Therefore, it is recommended that non-aggressive idols be given
media exposure rather than violent ones. 4.4 The world of sport
has proven its ability to combat negative self-destructive phenomena (such
as the battle against drugs). Violence
in sport should be regarded as such a phenomenon and consequently a
comprehensive and on going operation must be carried out against it. 4.5 No legitimacy should
be given to sports stars who incite unacceptable or violent behavior or
who demonstrate pathetic public tantrums. 4.6 Sports programs are
supported by advertising for commercial products.
The public should be educated and guided to refrain from purchasing
products, which support violent sports. 4.7 The media around the
world needs to pay more attention to women�s sports in an effort to
increase its popularity, economic value, and the funding available for it,
and to enhance women�s chances to excel in sports. 4.8 Title IX* may be
used as a model upon which governmental interventions could be based to
close the gap between men�s and women�s sport. *
Title IX was the famous movement in the US (passed in 1972), which
aimed to increase women�s sports profile in a crusade for equality in
sport. 5-Female
Abuse in Sport 5.1 In order to
eradicate all forms of gendered violence in sport, sports organizations
need to move beyond liberal gender equality policies and instill
anti-harassment practices and principles of ethics into their work. 5.2 If women are ever to
assume their natural human rights in sport a complete constitutional
overhaul and cultural change in the major sports organizations is
required. 6-
Protecting Fair Play and Individual Rights: The Role of the Law in Sport 6.1 The law and legal process can assist in resolving many disputes that arise in sport as well as off the field. 6.2 Athletes and other
stakeholders in sport have the same rights as other citizens and should
have access to the law to protect and pursue their rights. 6.3 Sport administrators
must be aware of their legal responsibilities as sport becomes more
professional and sophisticated. 6.4 Investors and
sponsors in sport must have confidence in the accountability of the sport
organization and of its athletes and management. 6.5 As sport is
increasingly becoming a business, it must be regulated in the same way as
any other business. The
7th General Assembly
September
14, 2001 / Bratislava � Slovakia Fair Play Behavior in Top Level Sports and its Influence on Youth The participants of the
7th Congress of EFPM came to the conviction that in the field of fair play
and top level sports and its influence on youth, it is necessary to use
more the human potential of sports and its educational character. It must
accept the quality of life in harmony of the body, soul and mind.
Therefore at the same time it is important: - To propagate fair play
as a lifestyle not only in sports - To unify the
educational activities of parents, teachers and trainers spirit of fair
play - To lead top level
athletes to the knowledge that it is their duty to be a positive
educational example - To develop aims for
the education of the youth that do not cross the border of fair play - To influence the media in a way that they propagate positive examples of famous athletes as opposed too more attractive but negative examples
The 8th General Assembly
September
29, 2002 / Ljubljana -
We, participants of the 8th European Fair Play Congress, held in the hospitable City of Ljubljana, the capital of Republic of Slovenia, from 25 countries,
1. In promotion Fair Play ideals: to consider an athlete as a personality, sport as an institution and a society as an environment in which all participants have to communicate and cooperate.
2. In the creation and development of national systems of physical education and in creation and spreading of national systems of Olympic education: to consider the promotion of Fair Play as one of the principal programme item.
3. In our different activities for promotion Fair Play: to consider the specific particularities of this phenomenon depending the types of multicultural societies, levels of sport performances, age groups and other peculiarities.
4. In our activities aimed at studies of Fair Play as a general value and a tool for humanisation of society which has to be applied to different areas of human life: to appeal to the leading social scientists dealing with the whole spectrum at the modern society, and not only sport.
5. In our promotion of Fair Play in Europe as a whole and in individual countries: to use not only possibilities of permanent or long-term activities, but the short-term individual programmes with the specifically announced aims and target groups.
6. In the further studies of Fair Play: to establish more specified links and interdependence of Fair Play principles with the real difficulties and problem of modern sport and Olympic movement, resulting in doping, aggressiveness, fraud, bias officiating, and corruption.
7. In our different educational, organisational, training and other activities within frames of sport as a social phenomenon: to consider as one of the main priorities the fight against all types of racism and xenophobia, and violence connected with them.
The 9th General Assembly
September 20, 2003 / Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Fair Play in sport for all
Following the 9th European Fair Play Congress, held from 18th to 19th September 2003 in Funchal, Portugal (Autonomous Region of Madeira) on the topic of Fair Play in Sport for All, the delegates from 27 member countries of the European Fair Play Movement (EFPM) concluded that Sport for All represents a key task for the Fair Play Movement. A series of positions have been developed: � Sport for All has grown into a dimension that it should be recognised as an equally important entity beside competitive sport and especially high level sport.
It is the diversity of people, motivations, sports forms, their enormous number and social composition that can be evaluated as a major change and challenge for Fair Play. This makes Sport for All an excellent contributor for dealing with many challenges of today through Fair Play: � Living in a multicultural and multilingual society: be fair with those who are different!
Thus, the human dream of Fair Play as a way of life for everybody can especially become true in sport through Sport for All.
The 10th General Assembly
September 24, 2004 / Vienna, Austria
Fair Play is a Philosophy of Life �Ten Years at the Service of European Sport�
THE PARTICIPANTS of the 10th European Fair Play Congress held from September 22 to 26, 2004, in Vienna, Austria HIGHLY APPRECIATING the contribution by the European Fair Play Movement founded in 1994 to the promotion of moral principles in sport in the countries of Europe, COMMENDING on the considerable role of the EFPM Congresses in the development of the theoretical basis and the implementation of Fair Play principles, PAYING TRIBUTE to the activities of the EFPM aimed at promoting Fair Play principles in the member countries and the role of the Play Fair Magazine in it, APPRECIATING the role of the European Fair Play Awards system founded in 1999 under the European Olympic Committees� patronage of Fair Play promotion, TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION that the improvement of the implementation of Fair Play at national, local and club levels can be an important tool for making sport more humane, BELIEVING that further steps aimed at developing the theory of sports ethics and Fair Play principles as its quintessence should be taken, ON THE BASIS of the analysis of the aims and tasks of the European Fair Play Movement made at its 10th Congress, APPEAL to all interested sports organizations at international, national, local and club levels to target their efforts at the successful solution of the most important and topical scientific and practical problems of the Movement as follows: 1. The involvement of new countries in the European Fair Play Movement. 2. The involvement of the European sports associations in the European Fair Play Movement as corporate members. 3. The involvement of the sports organizations at national, local and club levels, including sports schools, in the activities of the national Fair Play structures. 4. The inclusion of the European Fair Play Movement in the process of European integration, the strengthening of the contacts and co-operation with the European structures. 5. The development of the philosophy of the Fair Play Movement as a social movement aimed at the promotion of the humanistic values of sport. 6. The promotion and implementation of the advanced Fair Play experience in the sports activities of national, local and club organizations. 7. The holding of each and every European Fair Play Congress in the future as a comprehensive scientific and practical event, open to cover all areas of Fair Play activities. 8. The development of motivation methods for respecting and observing Fair Play principles in all areas of sport. 9. The development of motivation methods for Fair Play promotion in the mass media. 10. The development of the European Fair Play Awards system first of all as awards for merit in promotion of social movement. 11. The promotion and implementation of the experience of advanced countries in creating the national Fair Play Awards systems among EFPM corporate members. 12. The promotion of Fair Play material for Olympic education at national level. 13. The involvement of spectators and particularly fan-clubs in the Fair Play Movement. 14. The search for new sources of financial support for Fair Play activities on European, national, local and club levels. 15. The search of the opportunities for the projection of Fair Play principles from sport into everyday life.
Appeal 1 (by ASK�) �Fair Play and the Sports Industry� The sportswear market is big business. In 2002 it was worth more than 58 billion US Dollars worldwide. On the other hand most countries have signed up to international conventions which aim to protect the rights of workers. And what about the Olympic Movement? It is committed to the principle of fair play, solidarity and the value of human beings, but it has taken no concrete action to clean up its own production and to challenge the sportswear industry on which it depends for so much sponsorship. Therefore, the EFPM condemns in accordance with the international �Play Fair at the Olympics� campaign the widespread abuse of many of the workers who produce sportswear. Workers are being paid poverty wages, working excessively long hours often with forced overtime, little job security and limited freedom to defend their rights through trade unions. During this Olympic Year when such a high value is put on fair play, the EFPM joined workers and consumers all over the world who are calling for change across the whole of the sportswear industry. In the spirit of the Olympics, the International Olympic Committee and all sportswear companies must take action now. The EFPM calls on the IOC - to take responsibility for how all official Olympics merchandise is produced and - to make sure, in the Olympic Charter and in practice, that worker rights are respected in all Olympics-related contracts. The EFPM calls on the sportswear industry - to include all internationally accepted worker rights in their code of conduct and to make sure that they are guaranteed as well as - to make sure that workers in the entire supply chain are allowed to defend themselves through trade unions, are paid a living wage and are provided with safe and decent working conditions. This has to be done as an act of solidarity and in full respect of Charter of Human Rights.
Appeal 2 (by Klub Fair Play, Slovak Olympic Committee) �Sports does not speak the language of war� We, the participants of the 10th European Fair Play Congress, representing national Fair Play organisations, hereby call on athletes, coaches, representatives of the mass-media, sports clubs and federations, the organisers of sports events at local, regional, national and international level � simply all members of the sports community who are convinced of the positive role of sport in our world, to join us. Therefore, we, members of a sports family living by these values, recommend that: Teams, athletes, coaches must ban aggressive expressions and war-like language when talking about their opponents. They must be aware of their influence as role models on young generations and society as a whole. Even the most important sports competition must remain a game, with the opponent being a participant in this game, not an enemy. Thus, nobody shall use expressions connected with war. Nobody shall call for the �destruction, killing, or shooting�. Everybody shall strive to achieve a fair, tolerant victory, without using terms such as killing, annihilating the opponent. Sport is not war. The media must make use of their tremendous influence on society to lead the way and ban war-like language from sport. Aware of the need to fully respect the independence and autonomy of the media, we want to insist not to leave any space for the spread of violent ideas, but to emphasise the inherent values of fairness, tolerance and respect in sport. And in case war-like language is used, then only in the sense of condemning it. The press has an educational value, including TV and all other media. These bodies have a major role to play in guiding society toward the right values. Sport is not war. Supporters must continue to be proud of their teams, clubs and preferred athletes, without offending the opponent. Without an opponent, there is no match, no game, no competition. Supporters must recognise that the opponent merits at least as much respect and attention as the favourite athlete or team. It is also their role to ban aggression, war-like atmosphere, and hatred from stadiums and sports fields. Sport is not war. Thus, in a joint effort by all of us, let�s make sport a place for joy, fun, understanding, tolerance and fairness � and do not allow aggression, war and hatred to enter the sports fields and stadiums. This is not respectful towards sport and even less so towards the victims of the numerous wars and conflicts around the world.
The 11th General Assembly
September 24, 2005 / Vilnius, Lithuania Fair Play - a Model for Society The 11TH EUROPEAN FAIR PLAY CONGRESS - Recognises that sport is a reflection of society. Sport, like many aspects of society, encompasses simultaneously some of the worst human traits, including violence, corruption, discrimination, hooliganism, cheating and drug abuse. - Emphasises the importance of FAIR PLAY behaviour as a way of helping people to understand the meaning of positive and fair attitudes not only in the success of their sports, but also for harmony, tolerance and justice in society. The CONGRESS - Having discussed the application of FAIR PLAY in a modern westernised society, both in its national and international significance; - Having heard different points of view of evaluations over the interaction of the FAIR PLAY movement and society, society and FAIR PLAY movement; - Having realised that the modern world needs a more courageous approach towards FAIR PLAY principles in the behaviour of different strata of society; - Is confident that sport offers a vast potential for society as a ground for mutual understanding, as a workshop for socialisation and integration, as a school for democracy; - Believes that one of the most basic guarantees of FAIR PLAY in society is to ensure that as many people as possible are involved in sports activities within a sound ethical framework; - Considers that the use of FAIR PLAY principles as an area of global ethics shall be understood in the near future as a component of the utmost importance in the various areas of daily life. The CONGRESS adopts the following principles for the future
FairPlay in Practice: Concepts,Projects and campaigns The 12th European Fair Play Congress taking into consideration
C a l l s on all sports, youth, educational and business institutions, governmental and non-governmental bodies, including, in particular, all those dealing with Olympic matters, plus the mass media and the many informal supporters of sports as a whole to become aware of our concern about the decline of moral standards in sport. We, the institutional and non-institutional members of the European Fair Play Movement, must act in a concerted campaign together with the various aforementioned sports institutions in Europe to initiate change from the present society of individuality to a new society of teambuilding. A society that draws examples from the spirit of teamwork in sport will encounter values like mutual respect, tolerance, acceptance, unselfishness, trust, solidarity and dignity as a kind of a new combination of competition in sport that will also reshape our common mission of Fair Play. 30 / September / 2006
Olympic Values and the Future of Sport .��Bearing in mind
Frankfurt, 21 / October / 2007
|
The 14th General Assembly �Violence and Racism: a challenge to the sporting community� Beyond Rhetoric While recognizing that in the last decades there has been considerable progress made in the struggle to eradicate violence and racism from European sport, there is no room for complacency as both separately and together violence and racism continue to have the potential to blight sport wherever it is played and watched. The Fair Play principles relating to violence and racism in sport have been clearly articulated by this organization and others. It is time to move beyond the rhetoric and call for action. Building upon the good practical work already being done by sport governing bodies and government and voluntary organizations throughout Europe, the EFPM calls for a multi-faceted campaign of action:
|
