COUNCIL OF EUROPE
COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS
________
RECOMMENDATION No. R (92) 13 REV
OF THE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS TO MEMBER STATES
ON THE REVISED EUROPEAN SPORTS CHARTER
(adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 24 September 1992
at the 480th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies
and revised at their 752nd meeting on 16 May 2001)
1. The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 15.b of the Statute of the Council of Europe,
2. Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater unity between its members for the purpose of safeguarding and realising the ideals and principles which are their common heritage and of facilitating their economic and social progress;
3. Bearing in mind the European Convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and notably the "right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association with others", and the enjoyments of rights "without discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other status";
4. Bearing in mind its Resolution (76)41 on the Principles for a Policy for Sport for All, as defined by the European Ministers responsible for Sport at their first Conference in 1975 under the title of the "European Sport for All Charter", and that this Charter has provided an essential basis for governmental policies in the field of sport and enabled many individuals to exercise their "right to participate in sport";
5. Bearing in mind its Recommendations No R(80)1, on Sport and Television; No R(81)8 on Sport and Physical Recreation and Nature Conservation in Inland Water Areas; No R(83)6 on Energy-Saving Measures in Sports Facilities; No R(86)18 on Sport for All: Disabled Persons; No R(87)9 on the Eurofit Tests of Physical Fitness; No R(88)8 on Sport for All: Older Persons; which have contributed to the implementation of Sport for All policies;
6. Considering that sport is a social and cultural activity based on voluntary choice which encourages contacts between European countries and citizens, and plays a fundamental role in the realisation of the aim of the Council of Europe by reinforcing the bonds between peoples and developing awareness of a European cultural identity;
7. Wishing to promote the diverse contributions which sport can make to personal and social development through creative activities, recreational pursuits and the continuous search for improving sporting performance and bearing in mind that physical exercise helps promote both the physical and the mental well-being of individuals;
8. Bearing in mind the political, economic, social and other changes in Europe since 1976, the rapid pace of such changes, and their impact upon sport, and that a new European Sports Charter is necessary to reflect these changes and to face up to future challenges;
9. Bearing in mind the close interrelationship between sound environmental conditions and sporting activities as well as the need to integrate environmental considerations and the principle of sustainable development in sport;
10. Bearing in mind the need to accompany, on a wider basis, the European Convention on Spectator Violence and Misbehaviour at Sports Events and in Particular at Football Matches and the Anti-Doping Convention, which have already contributed to the safeguarding of the values of sport;
11. Acknowledging that public authorities should develop reciprocal co-operation with the sports movement as the essential basis of sport, in order to promote the values and benefits of sport, and that in many European States, governmental action in sport is taken in order to be complementary to and support the work of this movement (subsidiarity);
12. Considering that it is necessary to agree on a common European framework for sports development in Europe, based on the notions of pluralist democracy, the rule of law and human rights, and the ethical principles set out in Recommendation No R(92)14 on the Code of Sports Ethics;
13. Considering that the European Ministers responsible for Sport, meeting at Rhodes for their 7th Conference (1992), the first occasion on which Sports Ministers from all European countries had participated in the work of the Conference, adopted a resolution defining such principles for sport policies under the title of the "European Sports Charter" and undertook to follow and implement them as far as their authority permits,
I. Recommends the governments of member States:
1. To base their national policies for sport, and, when appropriate any relevant legislation, on the 'European Sports Charter' as set out in the Appendix to this Recommendation;
2. To invite their national sports organisations to take account of principles set out in the European Sports Charter in the elaboration of their policies;
3. To take steps to ensure a wide dissemination of the European Sports Charter;
II. Instructs the Secretary General to transmit this Recommendation to:
a. the governments of States party to the European Cultural Convention not member States of the Council of Europe;
b. to international organisations and to international sports organisations.
Appendix to Recommendation No. R(92)13 rev
EUROPEAN SPORTS CHARTER
Article 1
Aim of the Charter
Governments, with a view to the promotion of sport as an important factor in human development, shall take the steps necessary to apply the provisions of this Charter in accordance with the principles set out in the Code of Sports Ethics in order:
i. to enable every individual to participate in sport and notably:
a. to ensure that all young people should have the opportunity to receive physical education instruction and the opportunity to acquire basic sports skills,
b. to ensure that everyone should have the opportunity to take part in sport and physical recreation in a safe and healthy environment,
and, in co-operation with the appropriate sports organisations,
c. to ensure that everyone with the interest and ability should have the opportunity to improve their standard of performance in sport and reach levels of personal achievement and/or publicly recognised levels of excellence,
ii. to protect and develop the moral and ethical bases of sport and the human dignity and safety of those involved in sport, by safeguarding sport, sportsmen and women from exploitation for political, commercial and financial gain and from practices that are abusive or debasing including the abuse of drugs and the sexual harassment and abuse, particularly of children, young people and women.
Article 2
Definition and Scope of the Charter
1. For the purpose of this Charter:
a. "Sport" means all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental well-being, forming social relationships or obtaining results in competition at all levels.
b. This Charter complements the ethical principles and policy guidelines set out in:
i. the European Convention on Spectator Violence and Misbehaviour at Sports Events and in Particular at Football Matches,
ii. the Anti-Doping Convention.
Article 3
The Sports Movement
1. The role of the public authorities is primarily complementary to the action of the sports movement. Therefore, close co-operation with non-governmental sports organisations is essential in order to ensure the fulfilment of the aims of this Charter, including where necessary the establishment of machinery for the development and co-ordination of sport.
2. The development of the voluntary ethos and movement in sport shall be encouraged, particularly through support for the work of voluntary sports organisations.
3. Voluntary sports organisations have the right to establish autonomous decision-making processes within the law. Both governments and sports organisations shall recognise the need for a mutual respect of their decisions.
4. The implementation of some of the provisions of this Charter may be entrusted to governmental or non-governmental sports authorities or sports organisations.
5. Sports organisations should be encouraged to establish mutually beneficial arrangements with each other and with potential partners, such as the commercial sector, the media, etc, while ensuring that exploitation of sport or sportspeople is avoided.
Article 4
Facilities and Activities
1. No discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other status, shall be permitted in the access to sports facilities or to sports activities.
2. Measures shall be taken to ensure that all citizens have opportunities to take part in sport and, where necessary, additional measures shall be taken aimed at enabling both young gifted people, as well as disadvantaged or disabled individuals or groups to be able to exercise such opportunities effectively.
3. Since the scale of participation in sport is dependent in part on the extent, the variety and the accessibility of facilities, their overall planning shall be accepted as a matter for public authorities. The range of facilities to be provided shall take account of public, private, commercial and other facilities which are available. Those responsible shall take account of national, regional and local requirements, and incorporate measures designed to ensure good management and their safe and full use.
4. Appropriate steps should be taken by the owners of sports facilities to enable disadvantaged persons including those with physical or mental disabilities to have access to such facilities.
Article 5
Building the Foundation
Appropriate steps shall be taken to develop physical fitness and the acquisition of basic sports skills and to encourage the practice of sport by young people, notably:
i. by ensuring that programmes of and, facilities for sport, recreation and physical education are made available to all pupils and that appropriate time is set aside for this;
ii. by ensuring the training of qualified teachers in this area at all schools;
iii. by ensuring that appropriate opportunities exist for
continuing the practice of sport after compulsory education;
iv. by encouraging the development of appropriate links between schools or other educational establishments, school sports clubs and local sports clubs;
v. by facilitating and developing the use of sports facilities by schools and by the local community;
vi. by encouraging a climate of opinion in which parents, teachers, coaches and leaders stimulate young people to take regular physical exercise;
vii. by providing education in sports ethics for pupils from primary school onwards.
Article 6
Developing Participation
1. The practice of sport, whether it be for the purpose of leisure and recreation, of health promotion, or of improving performance, shall be promoted for all parts of the population through the provision of appropriate facilities and programmes of all kinds and of qualified instructors, leaders or "animateurs".
2. Encouraging the provision of opportunities to participate in sport at work places shall be regarded as an integral part of a balanced sports policy.
Article 7
Improving Performance
The practice of sport at higher levels shall be supported and encouraged in appropriate and specific ways, in co-operation with the relevant sports organisations. The support will cover such areas as talent identification and counselling; the provision of suitable facilities; developing care and support with sports medicine and sports science; encouraging scientific coaching and coach education and other leadership functions; helping clubs to provide appropriate structures and competitive outlets.
Article 8
Supporting Top level and Professional Sport
1. Methods of providing appropriate direct or indirect support for sportsmen and women who reveal exceptional sporting qualities shall be devised in co-operation with sports organisations, in
order to give them opportunities to develop fully their sporting and human capacities, in the full respect of their individual personality and physical and moral integrity. Such support will include aspects related to the identification of talent, to balanced education while in training institutes, and to a smooth integration into society through development of career prospects during and after sporting excellence.
2. The organisation and management of professionally organised sport shall be promoted through appropriate competent bodies. Practitioners engaging professionally in sport should be provided with appropriate social status and protection and with ethical safeguards against all forms of exploitation.
Article 9
Human Resources
1. The development of training courses by appropriate bodies, leading to diplomas and qualifications to cover all aspects of sports promotion shall be encouraged. Such courses should be appropriate to the needs of participants in different kinds and levels of sport and recreation and designed for both those working voluntarily or professionally (leaders, coaches, managers, officials, doctors, architects, engineers, etc).
2. Those involved in the leadership or supervision of sports activities should have appropriate qualifications paying particular attention to the protection of the safety and health of the people in their charge.
Article 10
Sport and Sustainable Development
Ensuring and improving people's physical, social and mental well-being from one generation to the next requires that sporting activities including those in urban, open country and water areas be adjusted to the planet's limited resources and be carried out in accordance with the principles of sustainable development and balanced management of the environment. These include:
- taking account of nature and environmental values in the physical planning and building of sport facilities;
- supporting and stimulating sports organisations in their efforts to conserve nature and the environment;
- increasing people's knowledge and awareness of the relations between sport and sustainable development and their understanding of nature.
Article 11
Information and Research
Suitable structures and means for the collection and dissemination of pertinent information on sport at local, national and international levels shall be developed. Scientific research into all aspects of sport shall be promoted. Arrangements shall be made for diffusing and exchanging such information and the results of such research at the most appropriate level, locally, regionally, nationally or internationally.
Article 12
Finance
Appropriate support and resources from public funds (i.e. at central, regional and local levels) shall be made available for the fulfilment of the aims and purposes of this Charter. Mixed public and private financial support for sport should be encouraged, including the generation by the sports sector itself of resources necessary for its further development.
Article 13
Domestic and International Co-operation
1. Appropriate structures for the proper co-ordination of the development and promotion of sport, both between the various public administrations and agencies concerned by sports questions, and between the public and voluntary sectors, shall be developed when they do not already exist at central, regional and local levels in order to achieve the aims of this Charter. Such co-ordination will take account of other areas of policy making and planning such as education, health, social service, town and country planning, environment, the arts and other leisure services, and ensure that sport is an integral part of socio-cultural development.
2. Co-operation at European and international level is also necessary for the fulfilment of the aims of this Charter.