More than 70 participants and presenters from all over Europe joined the 16th European Network of Sport Education Forum in Rome, Italy, on the 21st and 22nd of September 2023. Researchers, practitioners and students met at the University of Rome, “Foro Italico” to discuss issues related to the theme Sport Education for Sustainable Development: The Euro-Med Perspective.
The Forum offered a space of reflection and discussion on the current societal and educational challenges facing Europe and the broader Mediterranean Basin. A specific focus was set on the role of sport education in a transitioning world and how to tackle issues such as social cohesion and intercultural dialogue, sustainability, coach education, physical education, and digital education in sport.
The forum included over 30 presentations, panel discussions, a book presentations as well as a documentary film. The participants generated knowledge and created recommendations that will help both researchers and practitioners alike on the several issues. More than 35 speakers showcased their current research projects and discussed current societal challenges in regard to European sport and sport education.
In a panel discussion, Karen Petry (German Sport University Cologne) and Johan de Jong (Hanze University of Applied Sciences) discussed their book "Education in Sport and Physical Activity - Future Directions and Global Perspectives" and examined international perspectives on education in sport coaching, sport management, PE teacher training, physical activity and health promotion together with the co-authors Thomas Skovgaard (University of Southern Denmark), Ladislav Petrovic (ICCE Sport Coahing Europe) and Louis Moustakas (ENSE).
On the second day, the participants had the chance to watch the documentary film “Refugee Girls” together with the director, Leonardo Cinieri, and Robina Hajizada, one of the three characters. The movie shows the life of three girls and tries to capture the difficulties, traces of the past, cultural differences and above all the new opportunities that Europe is offering to refugee students.
The after movie of the two days can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EUZrbW5EMQ&feature=youtu.be
We would like to express our thanks to all the presenters, participants and the volunteers from “Foro Italico” for making the ENSE Forum possible.
We are already looking forward to the next ENSE Forum in 2025.
Source: Fabrizio Aversa, Audiovisual and Multimedia Office, University of Rome Foro Italico