Symposium

Thursday May 4, 2006

2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Gremiensaal, DW-World, Bonn

Kurt-Schumacher-Str. 3, 53113 Bonn

Organiser: Association of German Development NGOs and NOC for Germany

Co-operatin Partner: DW-World and German Sports Youth Federation

Whether it be with tin cans, lumps of plastic or leather balls, people love to kick something around in streets and squares all over the world. And the rules in Liberia are the same as those that apply in Germany . Sport really is a universal language. It brings people together in a unique way and enables them to overcome barriers by playing.

Unlike many teams, development co-operation and sports are still not going well with each other. So far, teamwork has remained an exception in spite of the good prospects for success for the two players. The social potential of sports offers - in terms of international understanding and aspects like team spirit and willingness to show commitment - ideal approaches to development co-operation.

But the basic rule of “fairness first” does not apply everywhere. The enticement of top sportspeople from the Third World countries and the issue of low social standards in a booming sports articles industry are versions of controversial moves in the arena of globalised sport. The team of sports and development co-operation could once more play an important role in establishing fair play worldwide.

The symposium “Sport develops” intends to inspire a dialogue between experts from the areas of sport, development co-operation and the media.

• How can sport be successfully applied in development co-operation, and how can it contribute to the fight against poverty?
• What role can sport play as a means and mediator of development co-operation?
• How significant are the results of the International Year of Sports and Physical Education 2005 in this context?
• How can the public be sensitized to development issues by international events in sport such as the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup?
• Can these options be used at the Olympic Games 2008 in Beijing and the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa ?
• Which people and what co-operation schemes can improve the band between sports and development?

“Sport develops” in Germany is organized by VENRO and the National Olympic Committee (NOK). The co-operation partners are “Deutsche Welle” and the German Sport Youth. The symposium addresses experts and laymen interested in the areas of sport, development co-operation and the media as well as science, politics and industry and business.

Supported financially by the Federal Ministry of Economic Co-operation and Development

Admission to this event is free of charge.

Registrations can be accepted until April 28, 2006 .