UNESCO Chairs exchange ideas on “Sport in Emergencies”
Concept Note UNESCO Chair Exchange "Fit For Life - Sport in Emergencies" (source: University of Basel with the permission of the workshop organizers).
UNESCO’s "Fit for Life" flagship programme is focusing on the transformative power of "Sport in Emergencies" through this workshop aiming at exploring the multidimensional impact of sport and quality physical education during emergencies, as well as the necessary measures to protect sport ecosystems when they are at risk.
With the increasing number of crises around the world, the role of "Sport in Emergencies" has never been more relevant. Recognizing this need, the UNESCO Chair of "Governance and Social Responsibility in Sport" at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) under the lead of Prof. Christos Anagnostopoulos convened a multi-day workshop entitled “Fit for Life in Emergencies: UNESCO Chairs in Sport and Physical Activity".
The workshop, which took place from February 10 to 13, 2025 at the UN House in Doha, Qatar, underlined the need for sport as a tool for (immediate) resilience and long-term recovery, especially in unforeseen crisis situations. The UNESCO Chair for “Physical Activity and Health in Educational Settings”, led by Chair holder Prof. em. Uwe Pühse, contributed to this workshop.
The jointly developed strategy paper “Fit for Life - Sport in Emergencies” (“blueprint for action”) will then be presented to the 194 Member States and 12 Associate Members of UNESCO at the next CIGEPS (Intergovernmental Committee for Physical Education and Sport) conference, providing strategic guidance for the governance, implementation and impact measurement of programmes for sport in emergencies.
In addition, a new continuing professional development course (CPD) is being developed to equip physical education students around the world with the necessary expertise to navigate emergency situations and to strengthen research-based policy and advocacy in this evolving field.
Click here for the official press release. Further details can be obtained from either Prof. em. Uwe Pühse (uwe.puehse@clutterunibas.ch), Prof. em. Cheryl Walter (cheryl.walter@cluttermandela.ac.za) or Dr. Ivan Müller (ivan.mueller@clutterunibas.ch).