24 September 2011 - World Conference on Sport for All in Beijing

World Conference on Sport for All in Beijing Beijing – 24 September 2011  Some 600 sports and government representatives, delegates from UN agencies, NGOs and academics from around the world met from 20-23 September in Beijing, China at the 14th World Conference on Sport for All. ? The various experts and stakeholders involved exchanged during plenary and parallel sessions, workshops, panel discussions, poster sessions, networking opportunities and social events on subjects as "Follow-up of the 2010 World Conference on Sport for All," "Programmes and policies: the practical and theoretical foundations of Sport for All," "Development and promotion of Sport for All, in particular the roles of different stakeholders," "Health and social benefits of physical activity" and "Future directions".   The three-day conference was organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in cooperation with the World Health Organization, Sport Accord, the Beijing Olympic City Development Association, the Beijing Municipal Government and the Chinese Olympic Committee.   When addressing the opening of the Conference, IOC President Jacques ROGGE said that "Everybody should have access to sport, and promoting Sport for All has always been an integral part of the Olympic Movement," and also "The IOC tries to make this vision a reality through advocacy, programmes and the funding of activities at grassroots levels."   At the Opening Ceremony, President ROGGE presented three IOC Sport for All awards for outstanding Sport for All initiatives to three organisations. The awards, which were granted for the first time, are for the "Award for Healthy and Social Benefits of Sports Activities", the "Award for Programmes and Policies", and the Award for Development and Promotion of Sport for All".   The first World Conference on Sport for All was held in Cologne, Germany in 1986. Since then the Conference has been held biennially. It has carried forward the Olympic spirit, promoted Sport for All, facilitated the harmonious development of health and fitness, and made great contributions to the advancement of humanity, thanks to the joint efforts of various international organisations and associations, countries and regions.   Pascal COLMAIRE World Archery Development and Education Director   Photo: Three archery representatives: Ugyen RINZIN (Secretary General of Bhutan Archery Federation), Joerg BROKAMP (Secretary General of the German Archery Federation), Pascal COLMAIRE (World Archery Development and Education Director)