Considering that physical education and sport help to improve health by reducing diseases linked to obesity, heart disease, hypertension, certain forms of cancer and depression and therefore have a positive effect on life expectancy,

Considering further that a policy of investment in physical education and sport can lead to job creation, particularly in the developing countries, and therefore helps to combat unemployment and poverty, promoting a better standard of living,

Noting that job creation contributes to the economic integration of vulnerable sectors of the community and helps to eliminate social tensions more effectively, thus maintaining a peaceful social climate that is essential to socio-economic development in the framework of a culture of peace,

Noting also that the level of development has a direct impact on physical education and sport and that the underdevelopment of physical education and sport is both a feature and a consequence of underdevelopment,

Noting also that investment in physical education and sport makes it possible to improve the quality and efficiency of the labour force, the media and industries working in the field of sport, and the development and protection of the environment (open spaces and renovation of sites), particularly in the developing countries,

1. Invites the Director-General of UNESCO to draw the attention of Summits of Heads of State and Government to studies and data that highlight the contribution of physical education and sport to the overall development of countries;
2. Invites Member States to accord high priority to physical education, sport and leisure activities in their national policies;
3. Invites the Director-General of UNESCO to draw the attention of international forums concerned with health, education, tourism, the economy and other fields to the impact of physical education, sport and leisure activities on each of these fields;
4. Invites the Director-General of UNESCO to make international bodies, in particular financial institutions, more aware of the importance of physical education, sport and leisure activities in order to promote their development;
5. Urges the Director-General of UNESCO to invite international financial bodies to take into account physical education and sport (in the form of training and recreation) as a social investment in the context of any new loans they may grant for health and education, and other forms of support, such as external debt relief;
6. Requests Member States to increase investment aimed at upgrading human resources and improving equipment and infrastructure in the field of physical education and sport;
7. Requests Member States to bear in mind always that the improvement of the quality of physical education classes, and an increase in the hours devoted to them, will enable them to avoid greater expenditure on health and safety;
8. Further requests governments to take measures in favour of tax exemption for sports equipment and to assist the promotion and development of businesses producing sports goods.

Considering that physical education and sport is a fundamental human right and an essential factor in human development,

Considering that practical actions are required to implement the International Charter of Physical Education and Sport of UNESCO,

Bearing in mind the results and recommendations of the World Summit on Physical Education held in Berlin, Germany, from 3 to 5 November 1999, under the patronage of UNESCO and the International Olympic Committee, with the co-sponsorship of the World Health Organization, and organized by the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education,

Considering the importance of physical education and sport as a fundamental right for every child and youngster around the world, and their role in encouraging people to remain active and healthy throughout life,

Reaffirming that physical education and sport, as an integral part of lifelong education, are essential means of enhancing the quality of life, health and well-being of all persons, regardless of their ability/disability, sex, age, cultural, racial/ethnic, religious or social backgrounds,

Emphasizing that physical education and sport can enhance cognitive, academic achievement and social development, including basic educational skills such as literacy and numeracy,

Noting that physical education and sport bring direct financial benefits in terms of savings in health care costs, in the prevention of violence and juvenile delinquency, and in related social services,

Considering that physical education provides skills and knowledge for employment in physical activity, public health, recreation, sport and leisure, which represent an expanding area of vocational opportunity,

Reaffirming that physical education and sport provide an ethical and social foundation for the spirit of fair play, mutual respect, gender equity, solidarity and human understanding, which are essential for the creation of a culture of peace,

1. Calls upon the Member States of UNESCO^* to endorse the Berlin Agenda for Action for government ministers in charge of education, youth and sport and to implement its recommendations;

2. Calls upon the Member States of UNESCO^* to note the urgent need to promote physical education and sport, to provide adequate time in the school curriculum, based on the scientific evidence available, and to allocate the resources required to deliver quality programmes in physical education through educational institutions;

3. Urges the Member States of UNESCO^* to support research to improve the effectiveness and quality of physical education programmes;

4. Urges the Director-General of UNESCO to mobilize intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, the public and private sectors, and international financial institutions to cooperate in the promotion and development of physical education as an integral part of lifelong education;

5. Requests the Director-General of UNESCO and the Member States to allocate the necessary human and financial resources to carry out activities and monitor the implementation of the Declaration of Punta del Este and the Recommendations adopted by the present Conference, and to make full use of the work of the Intergovernmental Committee on Physical Education and Sport (CIGEPS).

Recalling the principles enshrined in the International Charter of Physical Education and Sport, and the provisions of the Statutes of CIGEPS,

Noting that the World Festival of Traditional Sports to be celebrated in June 2000 under the auspices of "Trim and Fitness International Sport for All Associations" (TAFISA) and with the patronage of UNESCO, in connection with the Hanover world exhibition "Expo 2000", will help to create a worldwide awareness of traditional sports and indigenous games and physical activities, thus making an important contribution to their preservation,

1. Requests the Member States to organize and support festivals of traditional sports and games at both national and regional level, and to provide opportunities for participation in the World Festival of Traditional Sports;

 

2. Requests CIGEPS, with the help of the relevant regional and national bodies and networks, and the support of the NGOs, associations and institutions concerned, to prepare a worldwide list of traditional games and sports, and invites the Director-General of UNESCO, with the cooperation of existing and future regional and national bodies and networks as well as specialists on the subject, to draw up a world traditional games and sports policy, leading eventually to an international charter on traditional games and sports, to be followed by a mid-term and a long-term plan of action.

 

Recommends to UNESCO and the Member States the inclusion of physical education and sport among the indicators used for the evaluation of human development.

Urges UNESCO and its Member States to use their best efforts to encourage all donor countries and organizations to recognize as valid recipients of Official Development Assistance those programmes and activities that use sport and physical education as tools for educational, economic and social development, and calls upon donor countries and organizations to allocate specific funds for this purpose, giving special emphasis to post-conflict areas and areas recovering from natural disasters.

Recommends the promotion among parents, schoolchildren, athletes, sports supporters and all people interested in sport of the ethical values of sport and the concept of fair play as a human attitude and way of life, especially through audiovisual and other modern means of education. In this context, CIGEPS should play a leading role, in cooperation with the media and all relevant sports bodies.

Recommends that new and innovative practical sports programmes be undertaken to eradicate violence in and around sport, in particular by redirecting the excessive zeal of supporters towards, for instance, friendly sports events and activities conducive to social cohesion.

Urges the Member States of UNESCO to include systematic instruction in the socio-ethical aspects of physical education and sport at all levels of the education system and also urges Member States to put in place programmes to reinforce the responsibility of parents, teachers, coaches and sports administrators to conduct sport in an ethical manner.

Recommends that Member States promote participation and self-management in the organization and administration of physical education and sport activities.

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Considering the crucial need to enhance and reinforce international cooperation in physical education and sport both quantitatively and qualitatively,

Taking into consideration the urgent need to narrow the gap between developed and developing countries particularly with regard to training, dissemination and the exchange of information,

Recognizing the potential of UNESCO to play an important role in the promotion of sport and physical education,

Recognizing the need to resolve certain ethical issues which threaten to undermine the benefits and contribution of sport and physical education,

Considering the need to adapt UNESCO’s mechanisms, particularly CIGEPS and FIDEPS, in order to strengthen regional and international cooperation,

Recognizing the need and the will to ensure that the Recommendations of MINEPS III are implemented,

1. Ethical behaviour in sport

    

   1.1 That MINEPS III invite the Member States of UNESCO and sports organizations:

   - to enhance systematic education and information concerning doping, especially among young people;

   - to take the necessary measures to protect all those practising sport from doping;

   - to develop and implement national anti-doping policies supported by the necessary legislative and administrative measures;

   - to encourage States from all regions to accede to the Anti-doping Convention (ETS N°135, Strasbourg, 16 November 1989);

   - to give full support to the newly established World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) and to participate in its activities.

    

   1.2 That CIGEPS develop a set of key principles that promote a common understanding of the definition of "ethical behaviour". These principles should include but are not limited to:

    

   (1) sport as drug-free competition;

   (2) sport as free from harassment and abuse for athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and sports organizations;

   (3) sport which subscribes to a "Fair Play" policy;

   (4) sport which has the health, safety and well-being of athletes, coaches and officials as a priority;

   (5) sport which is accessible and equitable;

   (6) that sport belongs to the participant and that the focus of initiatives and resources is the active recipient of these services;

   (7) that sport is fun and contributes to the holistic development of all its participants.

    

   1.3 That good quality sport and physical education programmes supported by sport medicine be used to improve athletic performances without the help of banned substances.

2. Structures to assist the implementation of MINEPS III Recommendations

2.1 That CIGEPS and FIDEPS, as a matter of urgency, inform all Member States of their role within UNESCO.

 

2.2 That in order to ensure follow-up to MINEPS III Recommendations, governments, National Commissions for UNESCO and National Olympic Committees work together in Member States.

 

2.3 That regional and subregional bodies be established to implement the decisions taken at the MINEPS III Conference.

2.4 That ASP Schools (Associated Schools Project) be included in the implementation of objectives and activities in the field of sport since they are one of the worldwide networks though which the objectives and goals of the culture of peace are promoted.

 

2.5 That the International Federation of School Sport (ISF) be invited to participate in the work of UNESCO in view of its important role in international cooperation.

 

2.6 That the General Conference of UNESCO study the feasibility of holding MINEPS IV in Morocco on the theme "Evaluation of the projects and work done since MINEPS III (1999)".

 

2.7 That Heads of State and Government include in the agenda of their international conferences and summits the theme of sport and physical education as essential elements in the promotion of the culture of peace and in individual and social development.

 

1. That bilateral and multilateral agreements between Member States include the building of sport infrastructures as part of construction projects and/or in the renovation of schools in developing countries.

3.2 That developed countries offer assistance to less developed countries in terms of sharing used equipment in good condition and human resources.

 

4.1 That since "reducing the gap", especially with respect to smaller, poorer nations, has been a concern as manifested in Recommendation 10 of MINEPS II, practical comprehensive time-framed action steps be elaborated by Member States, coordinated by the appropriate UNESCO mechanisms, in areas such as:

 

- provision of debt relief specifically for investment in physical education and sport, training of personnel, infrastructure and equipment, where some of the most "crying inequalities" can be seen.

 

4.2 That UNESCO itself, in seeking to reduce the gap between developed and developing countries, direct its attention to improving physical education and sport in primary and secondary schools:

 

- by sharing research information;

- by promoting the value of physical education;

- by developing, sharing, and promoting modern curriculum development in

physical education and sport;

- by accessing scholarships from recognized physical education and sport institutes that have a proven record of the newest teaching methodologies that are participatory, problem-solving and fun;

- by the provision of technically proficient coaches (Sport Peace Corps) in a variety of sports.

4.3 That in order to assist with the development of physical education programmes, UNESCO make available:

- sound, free resources in the field of physical education and sport;

- models of sound physical education and sport programmes, including programmes for students with special needs;

- a list of credible organizations for consultative services.

 

1. That Ministers support a policy of preservation and promotion of traditional sports and games and the organization of festivals of traditional sports and games at national, regional and international levels as a substantial contribution to intercultural learning, mutual tolerance and understanding among nations, to the benefit of a culture of peace.

    

2. That UNESCO focus international attention on physical education and sport by proposing the declaration of a United Nations Year of the Fit and Active Child and challenge each country to develop three priority action steps to improve the fitness and activity levels of young people in their country during this year.

    

3. That the influence and prestige of UNESCO be used to disseminate worldwide a brief, consistent message/slogan on the benefits of physical education and sport that would transcend culture and languages and seek consensus among Members to display the slogan prominently along with their national messages.

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