oct.20.2006
The 5th World Forum on Sport, Education and Culture organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games (BOCOG) in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) will get underway this weekend (22 October) at the Beijing International Conference Centre. This edition follows on from the one held in Barcelona, Spain in June 2004 entitled “Sports: a Universal Dialogue” in the framework of the 2004 Universal Forum of Culture where delegates from the five continents shared experiences and ideas on sport, education and culture at the service of Olympism.
The purpose of the Forum will be to analyse the progress made in promoting culture and Olympic education in relation to sport and it will specifically link sport to harmony. It will discuss major themes related to policy support, strengthening of partnerships and developments and will explore the latest research. It will also outline priority issues on sport, education and culture and address strategies and policy guidelines for the following two years. Participants will also be briefed on the progress of the preparations for the 2008 Games and have the opportunity to tour the Olympic venues and to attend Chinese cultural events.
According to Forum officials The 5th World Forum on Sport, Education and Culture is already a success, owing to the number of people who have registered. The Forum has generated more interest than expected. Over 350 participants from outside China and 300 participants from China are expected. All five continents are represented, as well as over 150 countries. Representatives from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), National Olympic Committees (NOCs), International Federations (IFs), IOC-recognised organisations, Olympic study centres, 2014 candidate cities, Olympic Organising Committees (OCOGs), and from government ministries, universities, the United Nations system, and media private companies, will attend the Forum, which will end on 24 th October .
Representatives will share experiences and ideas on sport, education and culture at the service of Olympism. They will also examine the potential of sport for conflict resolution, intercultural understanding and promotion of human values.
OC President Jacques Rogge will attend and address the Forum, as will the President of the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG), Qi Liu.