Ministers' Deputies
CM Documents

CM(2000)97 4 July 2000
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718 Meeting, 19 July 2000
7 Education, culture

7.1 9th Conference of European Ministers responsible for Sport
Bratislava, Slovak Republic 30-31 May 2000

Secretary General's Report

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Table of Contents

Introduction

Combating doping.

Social cohesion

Sexual harassment

Environment

Violence

A clean and healthy sport for the 3^rd millennium

Adoption of resolutions

Election of European representative to WADA

Invitations to future Conferences

Closing Session

Appendix I    Draft Agenda

Appendix    List of participants

Appendix III   Speaking List

Appendix IV    Resolution No 1/2000 on the fight against doping

Appendix V    Resolution No 2/2000 on principles for policies using sport to promote social cohesion

Appendix VI   Resolution No 3/2000 on the prevention of sexual harassment and abuse of women, young people and children in sport

Appendix VII     Resolution No 4/2000 on preventing racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport

Appendix VIII     Resolution No 5/2000 on the draft Code for sustainability in sport:  A partnership between sport and the environment

Appendix IX   Resolution No 6/2000 on "A clean and healthy Sport for the third Millennium"

1. The 9^th Conference of European Ministers Responsible for Sport was held in the Reduta Hall in Bratislava on 30 and 31 May 2000, at the invitation of the government of the Slovak Republic. The Conference was placed under the patronage of the Prime Minister, Mr. M. Dzurinda.

2. The title of the Conference was "A clean and healthy sport for the 3^rd millennium". The Bureau of the CDDS prepared the themes for the Conference and a meeting of senior officials was held on the afternoon of 29 May to review the texts. The agenda, list of participants, list of speakers and the resolutions adopted appear respectively in Appendices I to IX of this report.

3. 180 delegates, including 30 Ministers attended the Conference. Also present were the Chair of the Committee of Ministers’ Deputies of the Council of Europe, representatives from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the European Commission, the recently established World Anti-Doping Agency, the Monitoring Group of the Anti-Doping Convention the European Committee for Social Cohesion, as well as Israel, Canada, Australia and non governmental bodies who had been invited as observers.

4. The Conference was opened by Mr Walter Schwimmer, the Secretary General, who thanked the Prime Minister for his presence at the Conference and the interest he had shown in this work. He explained that the Council of Europe promoted sport as a means of improving the quality of life for everyone and facilitating social cohesion and social integration for people who may be somewhat marginalised. A recent area of work related to sports and games for refugees, often traumatised by violence and war. The Council also worked in the problem areas of sport today - hooliganism, doping, sexual harassment and exploitation, and recognised the need for sport to safeguard the natural environment.

5. The Prime Minister of the Slovakia Republic, Mr M Dzurinda, welcomed the participants to Bratislava. He recognised that sport was of increasing importance in the contemporary world: it played a significant role in the development of national consciousness and identity, while for the individual sport was health promoting and improved the participant’s quality of life.

6. Mr Pietro Ago, the Chair of the Ministers’ Deputies of the Council of Europe said that there were problems in contemporary sport, particularly doping and hooliganism. He stressed that there were no miracle solutions. However, the positive aspects of sport were of greater significance. Priority should be given to education, especially in the areas of tolerance and fair play. Active co-operation between the various organisations and implementation and monitoring of the respective conventions on doping and violence in sport were the ways forward.

7. Mr Milan Ftacnik, the Minister of Education of the Slovak Republic, was elected to the Chair and Ms Signe Kivi, the Minster for Culture of Estonia, was elected as Vice Chair.

8. An introductory address covering the themes was given by Mr Milan Ftacnik and was followed by four specific keynote introductory presentations from four Ministers and senior politicians, viz:

- "combating doping", introduced by Madame Marie-George Buffet, the Minister of Youth and Sport for France;

- "sport and social cohesion", introduced by Mr Jan Kozlowski, the Deputy Minister of Sport for Poland;

- "sexual harassment and abuse in sport, especially in the case of women, young people and children", introduced by Ms Suvi Linden, Minster of Sport for Finland;

- "sport and its relationship to the environment", introduced by Ms Cornelie Sonntag-Wolgast, the Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of the Interior of Germany.

Over the one and a half day meeting 43 delegations took the floor. The important points made on the themes are summarised in the following sections.

9. In her opening presentation Madame Buffet said that the combat against doping was before everything a fight to conserve the moral and physical integrity of sport and a refusal to allow people to become dependent upon the products or procedures involved. The rise in doping was linked to a series of extraneous factors, such as overfull sporting calendars and the precarious social position and statute of sportswomen and men. These factors must be addressed as well. Responsibility for combating doping should be shared. Certain areas such as legislation were the domain of the state, but it was for the sports federations to invest in the education and the health of their athletes. International co-operation was vital and the creation of WADA was a considerable step forward.

10. Doping was clearly a priority concern and was mentioned by many delegates who spoke. The following points were made:

- the necessity of European co-operation on this question, which could be further, developed through the Council of Europe. The good synergy between EU and Council of Europe in the setting up World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was mentioned;

- the importance of the Anti-Doping Convention as the first international instrument to address this issue, and its complementarity with the mission and work of the WADA;

- the question of the Convention’s possible revision, perhaps preceded by a World conference;

- the encouragement to countries outside Europe to adhere to the Anti-Doping Convention, as recommended at MINEPS III;

- the role of WADA and the need for it to be seen to be independent, transparent, uncompromising and strong in its work; the questions of its future funding and the need for a strong commitment from governments were also evoked;

- the need for research to be strengthened and the importance of an anti-doping database;

- the demand for internationally agreed common high standards which are acknowledged and maintained throughout the sporting world, including common principles for doping control based on ISO/PAS standards;

- the necessity of the political will for new laws and follow-up to legislation in various countries. This should include legislation to protect organisations that apply the law correctly. Legislation should also be harmonised not only between states but also between states and federations. There should also be harmonisation of legislation at international level, particularly in the sale and traffic of substances and the need for acknowledgement of the competence of each country for anti-doping controls of sportspeople training or competing there, without specific bilateral agreements having to be made in each case;

- a certain concern on the possible dangers of using blood for testing instead of urine, as well as economic repercussions for laboratories;

- the acknowledgement that doping was not just an issue for the sports world.

Social cohesion

11. In his presentation, Mr Kozlowski underlined the role sport can play in uniting people and giving them a sense of community. Sport and its advantages should be available to everyone The advantages sport offered for social integration for three specific groups were outlined -, the disabled, refugees and the unemployed. Sport could also be a source of employment.

12. Among the points made by the delegates who spoke on his subject were the following:

- there was some reluctance to see sport as a tool for public social policy. Sport was basically a cultural activity;

- it should not be forgotten that sport brings fun and enjoyment into the lives of many people. Sport can help create a better society by promoting tolerance, encouraging more people to be active citizens and providing a gateway to democratic citizenship. (It is estimated that about 1 billion of the world’s population engage in sport of some type);

- there is a need to develop ways to ensure that some of the profits made by high level sport can be channelled into sport at the grassroots level.

13. In her address Ms Linden pointed out that delegates were discussing a new and sensitive subject, but that its connections with human rights issues made it important. It had been a courageous choice for a theme. There had, as yet, been limited discussion of the question at international meetings and research was limited to a few countries. It was necessary firstly to define what constituted sexual harassment, possibly as "unwanted sexual attention".

It would be difficult to define measures that would be suitable for all European countries and similarly impossible at present to have one set of rules applicable to everyone. The first concrete step was to adopt the draft recommendation and implement it by preparing appropriate national policies.

14. Other points made during the debate were:

- a national study in one country had shown that one third of its athletes had experienced some form of unwanted sexual attention;

- need for the matter to be tackled throughout the sports movement. Prevention of sexual harassment should be discussed in every association/federation and club. Clubs also had a duty of care in teaching children and young people to defend themselves against harassment and abuse;

- possible links with the EU "Daphne" programme should be explored.

15. In her presentation Ms Sonntag-Wolgast stressed the responsibilities of the State in the pursuit of sustainable development in all areas - social, economic and the socio-cultural domain which includes sport. The draft Code was seen as a progressive step in line with Article 10 of the European Sports Charter. Agenda 21 of the International Olympic Movement was also a significant achievement.

In the area of practical steps there was a need to develop "easily accessible sport" to reduce sport related traffic and to control energy use in sports facilities, possibly by using solar energy.

Education from an early age in respect for the environment was vital. The media could play an important role in reaching the so-called "unattached" sports person (that is one who does not belong to a club or association).

16. Among the points made during the debate were the following:

- information was given on the activities of the Olympic Movement in the light of its adoption of Agenda 21. A working group had been set up and proposes to organise regional seminars around the world. It was noted that each Olympic Games progressively expresses more concern for the environment;

- discussions have taken place with the international organs of the Red Cross and Red Crescent with a view to creating a synergy between health and education for sustainable development.

- on the question of sports facilities there was for need for co-operation among architects, particularly in the area of energy conservation. The sharing of facilities between school and the community should also be encouraged.

17. There was general disquiet about this area because of the way minority groups were spoiling the game (particularly) for the general public and the enormous public resources needed to control hooliganism. If sport was a mirror for society the reflection it gave in this area was false.

18. A number of miscellaneous points were raised:

- the question was asked whether the basic values of sport were still valid;

- the effects of globalisation were as apparent in sport as in any other area. This makes possible wide and large partnerships and the search for global solutions to problems that are world-wide;

- concern was expressed about the continuing fall in the number of hours of physical education in schools and the effect this could have on the future of sport for all.

19. The Delegates adopted Resolutions 1 to 6 that can be found in Appendices IV-IX,

Election of European representative to WADA

20. The Conference elected Ms Suvi Linden to be the European member on the Executive Committee of WADA.

21. The Hungarian Minister issued an invitation to hold the Xth Conference in Budapest in 2004.

22 The Polish Vice Minister issued an invitation to hold the XVIth Informal Meeting of Sports Ministers in Warsaw in 2002.

23. The Belgian delegate requested that the following statement be put in the report.

"The French and Flemish Communities of Belgium are, for the most part, able to agree with the resolutions of our Conference with regard to combating doping, as they are set out in the document PR.1.

Nevertheless the representatives of the two Belgian Communities want their reservations to be explicitly stated in the Conference report. These reservations refer to the limitations of their Ministers of Sport to commit their respective governments and the federal government on matters where the responsibility is shared between several ministries and several governments.

Reservations on the same subject were expressed at the ministerial meeting held in Reykjavik with the regard to the draft of the Anti-Doping Convention. These reservations have not been an obstacle to the signing of the Convention by Belgium in 1989 nor to the ratification process, which is now largely completed at the Communities level."

24. Mr Pierro Ago, the Chair of the Ministers’ Deputies, thanked the Slovak authorities on behalf of the Council of Europe and congratulated them on the organisation of the Conference. It had been a politically significant Conference, which would be followed up in detail by the Committee of Ministers.

25. Mr Milan Ftacnik, the Chair commented on the important variety of new and significant topics which had been discussed and complimented the participants on the excellent atmosphere of the Conference.

26. On behalf of the national delegations and the CDDS Mr Khotochkin (Chair of the CDDS) complimented the Chair and Vice Chair on their fine leadership and thanked the organisers for all their preparatory work.

27. Ms Signe Kivi, the Vice Chair, thanked the delegations for their work and applauded the results of the Conference.

1. Opening of the Conference by Mr Walter SCHWIMMER

Secretary General of the Council of Europe

2. Address by Mr Mikulas DZURINDA, Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic

3. Address by Mr Pietro Ercole AGO

Chairman of the Ministers’ Deputies, Council of Europe

4. Election of the Chair

5. Election of a Vice-Chair

6. Adoption of the Agenda

7. General Presentation of the themes by Mr Milan FTACNIK, the Minister of Education of the Slovak Republic

8. Presentation of the individual themes

Sport and social cohesion,

by Mr Jan KOZLOWSKI,

the Deputy Minister of Sport for Poland

Sexual harassment and abuse in sport,

especially in the case of women, young people and children,

by Ms Suvi LINDEN,

the Minister of Sport for Finland

Sport and its relationship to the environment,

by Ms Cornelie SONNTAG-WOLGAST ,

Parliamentary Secretary of State in the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Germany

Combating doping,

by Mrs Marie-George BUFFET,

the Minister of Youth and Sport of France

9. Contribution by delegations on the themes

10. Other business

11. Adoption of the draft Resolutions

12. Close of the Conference

 

Mr Artan SHYTI, Director, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports

M. Josep Maria CANALS JORDI, Director de Joventut i Esports

Dr Susanne RIESS-PASSER, Deputy Chancellor, Federal Ministry for Public Affairs and Sports; Mr Markus MITTERRUNZER, Secretary to Dr Riess-Passer; Dr Erich IRSCHIK, Ministerialrat, Federal Ministry for Public Affairs and Sports; Mag Karin GROSSMANN, Ministerialrätin, Federal Ministry for Public Affairs and Sports; Mr Robert PELOUSEK, Federal Ministry for Public Affairs and Sports, Dr Walter PILLWEIN, General Secretary, Austrian Sports Organisation

Dr Aboulfas Mursal oglu GARAYEV, Minister, NOC First Vice-President, Azerbaijan Republic Youth and Sport Ministry; Mr Faik GURBATOV, Assistant to Minister

BELGIUM / BELGIQUE

M. René HAMAITE, Directeur Général adjoint, Conseiller du Ministre des sports; M Odon MARNEFFE, Directeur Général Adjoint, ADEPS Ministère de la Communauté française,

Mr Emir MEDANHODŽIC, Secretary General, Sports Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina,

BULGARIA / BULGARIE

Mr Tsviatko BARCHOVSKI, President, Committee for Youth, Physical Education and Sports of the Council of Ministers

Mr Ivan VAVRA, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Education and Sports; Mr Andro KNEGO, Vice Minister, Ministry of Education and Sports; Mr Krešimir HORVAT, Adviser to the Vice Minister (for Sports)

CYPRUS / CHYPRE

Mr Ouranios IOANNIDES, Minister of Education and Culture; Mr Demos GEORGIADES, President of the Cyprus Sport Organisation; Mr Costas PAPACOSTAS, Director General of the Cyprus Sport Organisation; Mr George ANTONIADES, Administrative Officer, Ministry of Education and Culture; Mr Antonios THEOCHAROUS, Secretary, Embassy of Cyprus in Vienna

Mr Eduard ZEMAN, Minister, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport; Mr Ladislav MALY, State Secretary, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport; Mr Pavel CINK, Director of Department of Foreign Relations, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports; Mr Vladimir DOSTAL, International Activities Officer, Department of Sports, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Mrs Vladimira AL MALIKIOVA, Public Relations, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Ms Nada VLASAKOVA, Czech Olympic Committee,

DENMARK / DANEMARK

Mrs Lene WITTE, Deputy State Secretary, Ministry of Culture; Mr Peter NAUNTOFT, Head of Section, Danish Ministry of Culture; Mr Henrik Kjaer HANSEN, Danish Ministry of Culture; Mr Gert NIELSEN, Vice-Chairman of Danish Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation; Mr Morten BANGSGAARD, Consulant, Danish Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation,

Ms Signe KIVI, Minister, Ministry of Culture; Mr Henn VALLIMÄE, Deputy Secretary General, Ministry of Culture; Mr Toomas TONISE, Secretary General, Estonian Central Sports Union

FINLAND / FINLANDE

Ms Suvi LINDÉN, Minister of Sports, Ms Raija MATTILA, Counsellor for Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Education; Mr Timo HAUKILAHTI, Director of Sports Division; Ms Terhi HEINILÄ, Project Manager

Mme Marie-George BUFFET, Ministre de la Jeunesse et des Sports; M. Olivier MEÏER, Conseiller technique chargé des relations internationales et de la coopération, Ministère de la Jeunesse et des Sports; M. Jacques DONZEL, Conseiller technique sports, Ministère de la Jeunesse et des Sports; M. Joël DELPLANQUE, Directeur des Sports, Ministère de la Jeunesse et des Sports; M. Jacques BOULOC, Chargé de mission des Relations Internationales et des grands événements sportifs; M. Eric PLAYOUT, Attaché de coopération à l’Ambassade de France à Bratislava

GERMANY / ALLEMAGNE

Dr Cornelie SONNTAG-WOLGAST, Parlamentary Secretary of State in the Federal Ministry of the Interior; Mr Peter GLASS, Ministerialrat, Bundesministerium des Innern; Mr Steffen REICHE, Minister, Conference of the Sport Ministers of the German Bundesländer; Mr Ralf-Peter HASSELBARTH, Head of Office of the Conference of the Sport Ministers of the German Bundesländer; Ms Erika DIENSTL, Vice-Chairman, German Sports Confederation, Deutscher Sportbund; Ms Marlis RYDZY-GÖTZ, Head of International Relations Division, Deutscher Sportbund

Mr Yiannis SGOUROS, Secretary General of Sport, General Secretariat for Sports; Mrs Ekaterini TZIKI, Council of Europe and International Relations Bureau,General Secretariat for Sports

HOLY SEE / SAINT-SIEGE

Monseigneur Luigi DOSSENA, Chef de la Délégation, Nonce Apostolique en Slovaquie; M. Jacques GAUTHERON, Président d’Honneur de la FSCF; Dr Miroslav KAPINAJ, Collaborateur à l’Annonciature apostolique en Slovaquie

Mr Tamás DEUTSCH, Minister of Youth and Sports; Mr Ferenc DENES, Deputy State Secretary in Charge of Sport; Mr Pal SZEKERES, Deputy State Secretary in Disabled Sport, Ministry of Youth and Sports; Mr Viktor MEHLHOFFER, Accompanying Mr Szekeres; Mr Jozsef SZABO, 1^st Secretary at the Embassy of Hungary in Bratislava, Mr Laszlo KARGER KOCSIS, Director of the Department of International Relations, Ministry of Youth and Sports; Ms Krisztina GÖNTER, Advisor of International Sport Affairs, Ministry of Youth and Sports; Dr Jeno KAMUTI, President of European Fencing Federation

ICELAND / ISLANDE

Mr Reynir G. KARLSSON, Head of Division for Sport and Youth Affairs; Mr Guojon GUDMUNSSON, Member of the Icelandic Parliament,

Mr Paddy HEFFERNAN, Principal Officer, Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation; Mr John TREACY, Executive Chairman, The Irish Sports Council

ITALY / ITALIE

Prof. Giampaolo D’ANDREA, Undersecretary of State for Cultural Heritage and Activities; Mr Alberto CUTILLO, Diplomatic Advisor, Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities; Mr Lucio SELLI, Advisor for Sport, Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities; Mr Vito D’ADAMO, Assistant to Prof. D’Andrea; Mr Mariano RAVAZZOLO, Chef du Cabinet du Président, Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Italiano (CONI); Mrs Domenica TURI, Fonctionnaire au Cabinet du Président, Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Italiano (CONI)

Mr Karlis GREISKALNS, Minister of Education and Science; Mr Einars FOGELIS, Director, Latvian Sports Department, Ministry of Education and Science

LIECHTENSTEIN

Ms Andrea WILLI, Ministre de la Culture et des Sports; Mr Roman HERMAN, Head of Advisory Board on Sport, Präsident; Mr Johann PINGITZER, Advisor for the IXth Conference of European Ministers responsible for sport

Mr Rimas KURTINAITIS, Director General, Lithuanian State Department of Physical Education and Sports; Mr Algirdas RASLANAS, Deputy Director, Lithuanian State Department of Physical Education and Sports; Ms Rima BERLOVIENE, Chief Officer on Anti-Doping, Lithuanian State Department of Physical Education and Sports

LUXEMBOURG

Ms Anne BRASSEUR, Minister of Education, Professional Training and Sports; M. Georges LANNERS, Commissaire du Gouvernement à l’Education Physique et aux Sports; M. Marc THEISEN, Président du Comité Olympique; M. Robert SCHULER, Conseiller du Gouvernement 1ère classe

Hon. Jesmond MUGLIETT, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Sport, Culture & the Arts, Minister responsible for sport; Mr Antony GHIO, Head of Sport Section; Mr Victor BATTISTINO, Personal Assistant to the Minister

MOLDOVA

Ms Nelly BEREZOVSCHI, Minister of Education and Science

Mr Jan Willem MEERWALDT, Director, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, Sports Division; Mrs Dorien HOEPPENER, European Sports Affairs Officer, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, Mr Jos GEUKERS, Olympic Committee

NORWAY / NORVEGE

Mr Roger INGEBRIGTSEN, State Secretary, Royal Ministry of Cultural Affairs; Mr Paul GLOMSAKER, Deputy Director General, Royal Ministry of Cultural Affairs; Mr Ivar EGEBERG, Secretary General, Norwegian Olympic Committee and Confederation of Sports; Mr Rune ANDERSEN, Head of the Ethics, Sports, Medicine, Anti-Doping Department, Norwegian Olympic Committee and Confederation of Sports; Mr Inge AARHUS, Director of Environment during the Lillehammer Olympic Winter Games

Mr Mieczylsaw NOWICKI, President of State Sports Administration; Mr Jan KOZLOWSKI, Vice-President – Secretary of State; Dr Ewa SUSKA, Director of the Department of European Integration and International Relations; Mr Artur PILKA, Deputy Director, State Sports Administration; Prof. Jerzy SMORAWINSKI, Rector in the Academy of Physical Education, Chairman of the Anti-Doping Commission

PORTUGAL

Mr Vasco LYNCE DE FARIA, Secrétaire d’Etat aux Sports; Mr Manuel BRITO, President of the National Sports Institute; Mr Luis SANTOS, Confederação do Desporto de Portugal; Mr Vicente MOURA, Comité Olímpico de Portugal

Mr George CRIN ANTONESCU, Minister of Youth and Sport; Prof. Dr Ioan DRAGAN, President of the National Anti-Doping Commission; Mr Eduard IORDACHESCU, Minister’s Adviser, Ministry of Youth and Sport; Mr Mihai CAPATINA, Sports Director, Ministry of Youth and Sport; Mr Alexandru CALCIU, Expert, Ministry of Youth and Sport

RUSSIAN FEDERATION / FEDERATION DE RUSSIE

Mr Boris IVANYUZHENKOV, Minister, Ministry of the Russian Federation for Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism; Mr Victor KHOTOCHKIN, Vice-Minister; Mr Nikolai GROUSHINE, Deputy Chief of the Department of International Cooperation

Mr Mikulas DZURINDA, Prime Minister; Mr Milan FTÁCNIK, Minister of Education; Mr Laszlo SZIGETTI, State Secretary, Ministry of Education; Ms Maria DURISINOVA, Director General of Sports and Youth Section, Ministry of Education; Mr Kazimír FERIENCIK, MD, PhD, President of the Slovak Anti-Doping Committee; Mr Jan HOLKO, President of Slovak Union of Physical Culture; Mrs Daniela BUJNOVSKA, Director General of the Section for Foreign Relations, Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family; Mr Peter CHUDY, Ministry of the Environment

SLOVENIA / SLOVENIE

Dr Pavel ZGAGA, Minister, Ministry of Education and Sport; Dr Janko STREL, State Secretary, Ministry of Education and Sport, Mr Zoran VEROVNIK, International Affairs, Ministry of Education and Sport

M. Estanislao de GRANDES, Ambassadeur de l’Espagne à Bratislava; Mr Antonio GUERRERO OLEA, Head of International Cooperation, Consejo Superior de Deportes; Mr Miguel UTRAY DELGADO, Head of International Relations, Consejo Superior de Deportes

SWEDEN / SUEDE

Mrs Ulrica MESSING, Minister responsible for Sport; Mr Johan DANIELSON, Press Secretary in the Ministry of Culture; Mr Tomas JOHANSSON, Deputy Director, Ministry of Culture; Mr Keneth WISING, Senior Administrative Officer, Ministry of Culture; Mr Bengt WESTERBERG, Board Member, Swedish Sports Confederation

M. Hans HOEHENER, Président de la Commission fédérale du sport; M. Heinz KELLER, Directeur de l’Office fédéral du sport de Mâcolin, Départment fédéral de la défense, protection de la population et des sports; M. Marco BLATTER, Directeur de l’Association Olympique Suisse; Mr Thomas HELBING, Adviser to the Minister of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports; Mme Nadia MAYOR MASSE, 3ème Secrétaire à l’Ambassade de Suisse à Bratislava

"THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA" /

Mr Georgy BOEV, Minister of Youth and Sport; Mr Sašo POPOVSKI, Advisor to the Minister; Ms Vesna Krstic ANDREEVSKA, Ministry of Youth and Sport; Mr Dimitar GEDRGIEVSKI, Ministry of Youth and Sport; Mr Milosh VUCHIDOLOV, National Olympic Committee

Mr Fikret ÜNLÜ, Minister of State responsible for Sport and Youth Affairs; Mr Haluk ÖZBEK, GSGM, General Directorate of Youth and Sport, Head of International Relations Department; Prof. Dr Aytekin TEMIZER, Director of Turkish Doping Control Centre; Mr Oguz OZCAN

UKRAINE

Mr Ivan FEDORENKO, Chairman of State Committee of Physical Culture and Sports; Mr Valeri Mykolaiovych ZHULJAIEV, Head of International Department State Committee of Youth Policy, Sports and Tourism,

Ms Kate HOEY, Minister for Sport; Mr David LYSCOM, British Ambassador to the Slovak Republic; Mr Simon COOPER, Private Secretary to Ms Hoey; Mr John SCOTT, Director of International Relations, United Kingdom Sports Council

COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS / COMITE DES MINISTRES

Ambassador Sr. Pietro Ercole AGO, Chairman of the Ministers’ Deputies / Président des Délégués des Ministres

Mr Mikko ELO, Vice-Chairman of the Sub-Committee and Leader of the delegation; Mr Valentino MARTELLI; Mr Juraj SVEC; Mr Georgiy MANCHULENKO; Mr Aleg RADCHENDKO

EUROPEAN COMMISSION / COMMISSION EUROPEENNE

Mr Jaime ANDREU, Head of Sport Unit, Directorate General EAC,

Dr Alain GARNIER (Chair/ Président), Conseiller Médical auprès du Directeur des Sports,

Ministère de la Jeunesse et des Sports,

Mr Claude EWEN, Inspecteur de la Sécurité Sociale 1^ère Classe, Inspection Générale de la Sécurité Sociale

Ms Helen STYLIANOU, Australian Embassy and Permanent Mission to the United Nations

Mr Norman MOYER, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Canadian Heritage; Mr Ron HALPIN, Canadian Ambassador to the Czech Republic and to the Slovak Republic; M. Alain LATULIPPE, First Secretary at the Canadian Embassy,

M. Yehoshua DEKEL, Director General Sport Authority, Israel Ministry of Science, Culture and Sport,

Me François CARRARD, Directeur Général; Mr Pal SCHMITT, Member ; Mr Shahbaz BEHNAM, Coordinator, Sport and Environment Commission,

Mr Richard W. POUND, President of the Foundation Board of the World Anti-Doping Agency; Mr Harri SYVÄSALMI, Secretary General to the World Anti-Doping Agency

Mr Frantisek CHMELAR, President Slovak Olympic Committee

Mr Bengt SEVELIUS, President of ENGSO

M. Jean-Claude SCHUPP, General Association of International Sports Federations

Mr Toomas TONISE, Secretary General, Estonian Central Sports Union,

M. René HAMAITE, Directeur Général adjoint,

Mr Samuel ROSKO, Head of Division of Elite Sports, Section of Sports, Children and Youth, Ministry of Education; Mr Peter SKOVAJSA, Section of Sports, Children and Youth, Ministry of Education; Mr Zdenko KMETEK, Section of Sports, Children and Youth, Ministry of Education;

COUNCIL OF EUROPE / CONSEIL DE L’EUROPE

Mr Walter SCHWIMMER, Secretary General; Mrs Verena TAYLOR, Administrator, Private Office; Mr Lasse SIURALA, Director of Youth and Sport; Mr George WALKER, Head of the Sport Department; Mrs Diane MURRAY, Administrator, Sport Department; Mr Mesut ÖZYAVUZ, Administrator, Sport Department; Mme Odile LAUGEL, Principal Administrative Assistant, Sport Department; Miss Suzanne LITTLE, Private Secretary, Sport Department; Mlle Diane PENEAU, Secretary Sport Department; Mr Joao ARY, Secrétaire à la Commission de la Culture et de l’Education de l’Assemblée parlementaire / Secretary to the Committee on Culture and Education of the Parliamentary Assembly; Mr Roland HERMANN, Chef de l’équipe des interprètes / Head of the Interpreters team; Mme Denise SLAVIK, Attachée de Presse; Mme Catherine TAILLEZ, Secrétaire, Presse; Ms Isabelle FLECKSTEINER, Secrétaire, Protocole.

Appendix III

Wednesday 31 May

Appendix IV

The European Ministers responsible for Sport, meeting in Bratislava for their 9^th Conference on 30 and 31 May 2000, and the representatives of the other States Parties to the Anti-Doping Convention:

Welcoming the active role played by the Council of Europe in setting up the World Anti-Doping Agency;

Noting with satisfaction the Committee of Ministers’ decision authorising the Council of Europe and the Monitoring Group of the Anti-Doping Convention to participate in the WADA Board;

Emphasising, considering the experience and expertise of the T-DO, the need to establish an effective partnership between the Monitoring Group of the Anti-Doping Convention and the Agency;

Noting with satisfaction the signing of the Anti-Doping Convention by 42 countries (36 of which have ratified it) since it was opened for signature on 16 November 1989 and the participation, as observers, of a number of other States and international sports organisations in the T-DO;

Welcoming the fact that the participants in the Sydney Summit on doping (November 1999), Unesco’s Third International Conference of Ministers and Senior Officials responsible for Physical Education and Sport (MINEPS III, December 1999), the Assembly of the Ibero-American Sports Council and the meeting of the International Intergovernmental Consultative Group on Anti-Doping in Sport (February 2000) have acknowledged the Anti-Doping Convention as an international reference instrument for co-ordinating national anti-doping policies and have invited countries all over the world to accede to the Convention;

Noting with satisfaction the adoption by the Parliamentary Assembly of Recommendation 1464 (2000) on Doping in Sport;

Thanking the Council of Europe for its essential contribution to helping governments in the fight against doping;

Eager to ensure that the provisions of the Convention are effectively implemented;

Considering that, in order to combat doping effectively, it is essential that action should be taken against traffickers of doping agents;

Aware that it is up to governments to enact laws and regulations to harmonise national anti-doping legislation, particularly regarding the possession and trafficking of banned doping agents;

Concerned by the growing non-sport use of doping agents and considering that the necessary measures should be taken to prevent further proliferation;

1. Affirm their commitment to participate actively in the work of the World Anti-Doping Agency; agree that the Agency should apply a consistent transparency in its activities and should develop a complete list of banned substances and methods as well as clear criteria for the accreditation of laboratories; stress the need for the Agency to be in a position to act as an independent observer in the management of test results at the Sydney Olympic Games;

2. Undertake to recognise the authority of the World Anti-Doping Agency to carry out unannounced out-of-competition controls in accordance with the Agency Statutes on their territories;

3. Recommend the designation, in consultation with the members states of the European Union, of Minister Suvi Linden (Finland) as the representative of the European continent on the Executive Committee of the WADA;

4. Approve the proposals submitted by the Monitoring Group aimed at improving the implementation and effectiveness of the Convention in particular the setting up of a binding control mechanism based on the "Compliance with Commitments" project; support the development of a common database on anti-doping initiatives, in cooperation with other partners;

5. Consider that it would be desirable, in the light of changes since the adoption of the Anti-Doping Convention in 1989, and of present needs in the fight against doping, to study the need for possible amendments and/or draft protocols to the Anti-Doping Convention;

6. Undertake to mutually recognise the authority of the sports organisations and national anti-doping agencies from host countries to carry out unannounced anti-doping tests on sportsmen and women from States parties to the Convention who are in another State party to the Convention without the need for bilateral agreements, and to introduce the regulations and administrative measures necessary for this mutual recognition in accordance with the highest international standards, as recognised by the Monitoring Group;

7. Undertake to introduce into their national legislation legal provisions in keeping with the principles set out in the draft recommendation (see Appendix to this Resolution) and to implement them effectively in order to seek out the persons responsible, particularly those who have set up networks for producing and distributing doping agents;

8. Invite the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to:

Continue to ensure the Council of Europe’s and the Monitoring Group’s participation in the World Anti-Doping Agency and to give the Monitoring Group support so that it may co-operate effectively with the Agency;

Approve the designation, after consultation with the members states of the European Union, of Minister Suvi Linden (Finland) as the representative of the European continent on the Executive Committee of the WADA;

Adopt the measures in order to improve the application and the efficiency of the Convention and provide the Monitoring Group with the necessary means for implementing those measures;

Request the Monitoring Group to draw up a draft amending protocol to the Convention aimed at setting up a binding control mechanism, and on the mutual recognition of controls on the territory of other Parties;

Adopt the text of the draft recommendation (as it appears in the Appendix to this Resolution) on the common basic principles to be introduced into national legislation with a view to combating the trafficking of doping agents.

The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 15.b of the Statute of the Council of Europe,

Bearing in mind the Resolution on "the fight against doping" adopted at the 9^th Conference of European Ministers responsible for Sport, in Bratislava in May 2000;

Recalling that the Article 4 of the Anti-Doping Convention (ETS 135) stipulates that "the Parties shall adopt, where appropriate, legislation, regulations or administrative measures to restrict the availability (including provisions to control movement, possession, importation, distribution and sale) as well as the use in sport of banned doping agents and doping methods and in particular anabolic steroids";

Recalling that, with reference to this article, the Monitoring Group adopted Recommendation (No. 2/94) on measures to restrict the availability of anabolic steroids, which has influenced several countries’ legislation in this field;

Considering that the events in recent years have shown that the traffic in and use of doping agents is not restricted to anabolic steroids but extends also to other substances, such as erythropoietin and growth hormones;

Considering that a decisive factor in the fight against doping is political will on the part of the authorities to adopt and enforce in practice suitable legislation on seeking and identifying those responsible, especially those in control of networks producing and distributing doping agents, and that this task, which goes beyond the sole jurisdiction of ministers of sport, also concerns the police, customs and other authorities;

Aware that it is incumbent upon governments to enact laws and regulations which will harmonise bodies of national legislation on doping and the possession of and traffic in doping agents;

Recognising that the legislative measures must be backed up by effective co-ordination;

Considering the Clearing House study on Legislation and Regulations on Doping in 42 countries;

Considering that the ineffectiveness of the fight against suppliers of banned substances is due in part to the lack of international co-ordination in this field;

Considering that the Anti-Doping Convention and its associated recommendations (in particular Recommendation No. 2/94 on measures to restrict the availability of anabolic steroids) constitute a common framework for the adoption and standardisation of national legislation on the production, movement and possession of doping agents;

Recommend to the Governments of States parties and Observers to the Convention to adopt suitable legislation and/or to apply effectively existing legislation to deter and punish (by means that may include imprisonment) individuals and legal persons involved in the production, manufacture, transport, import, export, storage, offer, supply or any other form of traffic in doping agents.

Such legislation should be based on the principles stated in Appendix 1 to this Recommendation.

1. The approach is not fundamentally different from that of laws against hard drugs. Governments should ensure, within the bounds of each country’s system of law and administration, that the most appropriate and effective national means are used to combat the production, manufacture, transport, import, export, storage, offer, supply or

any other form of traffic in doping agents. To do so, countries should review their legislation in the relevant areas of government responsibility with respect to doping agents, such as:

- criminal laws;

- laws and regulations on pharmaceutical products and medicines;

- customs laws and regulations;

- legislation on the protection of public health, etc;

- legislation for the protection of children;

- laws concerning professionals (esp. medical doctors, veterinary doctors, pharmacists and laboratory workers);

- any other relevant legal act…

2. Legislation should also target the act of prescribing, supplying, offering, administering or applying prohibited doping agents to athletes, that of facilitating their use and that of encouraging athletes in any way at all to use them. This can be achieved by national legislation for sport or by a suitable alternative regime for the governance of sport at a national level with binding anti-doping provisions.

3. There are a number of specific issues or problems which should be addressed by governments in the exercise of their responsibilities:

a. In cases of doping or non-sport use involving minors, and in order to reinforce their protection, there is a need for tougher sanctions for those who prescribe, supply, offer, administer or apply doping agents to them.

b. The adoption of such legislation would require a common definition of doping agents (and related substances). With a view to harmonising legislative measures in this field, all definitions should be based on those adopted by the Monitoring Group in the appendix to the Anti-Doping Convention.

c. Another major concern is that of improving information about medicines and their effects as doping agents. A standard warning should be printed on medicine labels. It is also necessary to provide in national legislation that all contents of food or dietary supplements or vitamins, should be indicated on the packaging of these substances. This information should in particular specify whether the so-called dietary supplement contains a doping substance or a precursor of doping substance (for ex. a steroid and/or its precursors). The implications of Internet trade should be catered for.

d. Provision should be made in national legislation for the seizure and confiscation of illegal substances, and to address money laundering.

e. It would be prudent to extend the scope of legislative and administrative measures on the laundering of drug money to earnings derived from the trade in doping agents.

f. Additional legislative and administrative measures should be adopted to co-ordinate the activity of the police, customs and courts.

g. A system should be set up for pooling information on trafficking and traffickers in doping agents. Such a system could operate between countries on a bilateral basis or by means of existing international machinery.

h. In order to improve international effectiveness, measures should be taken as required to improve the compatibility of police and customs administrative procedures in countries party to the convention. International consciousness and co-operation should also be encouraged in international police and customs, organisations such as the World Customs Organisation and Interpol.

i. As the chemical complexity of doping agents does not always permit their identification by the police or customs, members of both police forces and customs services should receive adequate training.

 

Appendix 2

Explanatory note

1. At an extraordinary meeting on 5 November 1998, the Monitoring Group agreed:

With regard to law:

"to undertake a review of national laws affecting anti-doping work (anti-doping laws, laws on medical or banned substances, etc) with a view to examining the scope for possible improvements and for greater consistency in the framework of the Anti-doping Convention (…)";

With regard to the availability of banned substances:

"to seek, through the appropriate channels at national level, closer co-operation with police, customs and other relevant authorities with a view to reducing the supply of doping agents to sport and their use/demand within it (…)".

2. Acting on this statement by the Monitoring Group, the Clearing House (the Council of Europe's body for information on sport) conducted a study of legislation and regulations on doping in countries adhering to the convention.

3. The study contains information on 42 countries, all of them signatories to the convention except Georgia. It demonstrates that there is a wide gulf between legal provisions in the countries concerned. Some have no legislation on doping at all and leave this matter entirely in the hands of national sports organisations. Others have included provisions on doping in general sports legislation.

4. Fourteen of these 42 countries have specific legislation on doping in sport (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and Australia). Thirteen have adopted criminal measures to suppress networks distributing doping agents (Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Czech Republic, Sweden, United Kingdom and Australia). Yet there are significant differences in the legislative approach. For example, provisions may be adopted through a specific law to combat doping, through laws restricting the production and use of medicines or pharmaceutical products, through laws to protect public health or combat drug use, and even through the Criminal Code.

5. There is also considerable variation in the detail of these provisions, as they are sometimes extremely broad and general in scope. In some cases, legislation targets a specific group of doping agents. Generally speaking, those prohibited fall into the category of anabolic steroids. However, there is a trend towards extending criminal measures to substances such as EPO and growth hormones.

6. The two pillars of anti-doping are sports organisations and the authorities. While sports movements are the only bodies capable of introducing a coherent anti-doping programme into sport, government help is essential. The authorities’ principal task remains to set in place an appropriate legal framework and to provide adequate resources to put an end to the manufacture, import and export of doping agents and trafficking in these agents.

7. The ineffectiveness of the fight against suppliers of banned substances is due in part to the lack of international co-ordination in this field. The scientific and legal experts meeting at the Lisbon seminar on the non-sport use of banned substances arrived at the same conclusion ¹ . Those taking part in the seminar recommended that:

- "national law on the manufacture, circulation and distribution of medicines should be harmonised";

- "customs services and police forces should be made aware of the problem and should use their respective powers to help reduce the availability of the substances concerned".

8. It is possible, on the basis of the legislative study summarised above, to formulate a number of core principles for use as common denominators leading to improved harmonisation of legislation in this field.

 

The European Ministers responsible for Sport, meeting in Bratislava for their 9^th Conference from 30-31 May 2000,

Conscious of the substantial work done previously by the Committee for the Development of Sport in developing policies designed to promote the social inclusion of various specific minority groups through sport,

Convinced that the need existed to identify the underlying principles, which should be incorporated into a comprehensive policy for sport and social cohesion,

Remembering the Declaration issued at the close of the Second Summit of the Heads of State and governments of member States of the Council of Europe (Strasbourg, 10-11 October 1997), which recognised "the role of sport in promoting social integration, particularly among young people",

Aware that programmes which have social cohesion as one of their aims should respect both the principles underlying such a comprehensive policy and the provisions of the European Sports Charter (R (92)13) and the Code of Sports Ethics (R (92)14),

Bearing in mind the Recommendation No. R (99) 9 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on the role of sport in furthering social cohesion, which recommends that governments in adopting sports policies should especially target particular groups of disadvantaged or excluded people,

Stressing their belief that sport is a significant social right that should be available and accessible to all people,

Recalling that research has shown that sport does make a contribution to social development, and when based on the correct principles can help counter some problems in society as recognised in both R. (95) 17 on "The Social Significance of Sport for Society" (Section 2 of the Appendix), and the Declaration on this subject adopted at their 8^th Conference,

Resolve to:

Ensure that the principles, as submitted to the Conference in the document "Towards a comprehensive policy on sport and social cohesion" and reproduced in the Appendix to this Resolution, are built into global and integrated sports policies at national level and incorporated into subsequent programmes, to facilitate the participation of all people in sport,

Further ensure that programmes which use the potential of sport to further social cohesion are rooted in these policies,

Take into account the potential of sport in national programmes designed for the different groups of unemployed people, recognising that besides the acknowledged benefits for mental and physical health, training and education in sport can lead to employment,

Acknowledge the benefits which sport can provide for refugees and displaced people and welcome and support the work of the CDDS in this area,

Recognise the positive contribution made to sport by the inclusion of ethnic and cultural minorities, and people with disabilities which helps promote a tolerant and diverse society,

Invite all sectors – non-governmental sports organisations, civil society groups and voluntary institutions – to co-operate closely with the national authorities, in view of the range and complexity of issues to be tackled, in order to achieve and implement a policy which harnesses the potential of sport to further social cohesion.

The articles of the European Sports Charter commit the governments of member States to taking the necessary steps to….."enable every individual to participate in sport". Sport is defined as meaning "all forms of physical activity …aimed at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental well-being, forming social relationships…." As already mentioned the policy adopted to further social cohesion should agree with the spirit and the Articles of the Charter.

Programmes using sport to further social cohesion may be designed and implemented at the central, regional or local government levels or entrusted to the voluntary sports sector. Given the range of issues that need to be tackled there are good reasons for all sectors to be involved. Some problems leading to social exclusion need to be tackled at national level, whereas others may best be dealt with at the local level.

There are good grounds for inviting non-governmental sports organisations, civil society groups and voluntary institutions to take a leading role in combating social exclusion through the use of sport. However, when the voluntary sector is made responsible for running such programmes it is essential to ensure that there is both close co-operation and adequate government funding.

Sources of new funding should be investigated. It may be that large sports federations and associations could be encouraged to fund and/or run programmes on social cohesion. The use of European funds for urban regeneration or unemployment programmes could also be explored in the context of programmes on unemployment, sport and social cohesion.

Any policy that is designed to use sport to further social cohesion, whether on an international, national or local level should be established according to the following guidelines. The policy should:

a) respect the provisions of the European Sports Charter and its foundation principle of "Sport for All";

b) accord with the ethical principles outlined in the Code of Sports Ethics and Fair Play;

c) should start, if at all possible, from a basis of hard data and systematised information. If this is not available planners should use existing evidence;

d) have clear output and outcome goals which are recognised and shared by those framing and implementing the policy;

e) have built-in evaluation criteria and sufficient flexibility to respond quickly to the findings of any evaluation; The policy should be designed to bear in mind that society is dynamic and always in the process of change;

f) should pay scrupulous attention to all types of diversity, in accordance with Article 4 of the European Sports Charter;

g) be co-active with other areas (synergy). Links with the areas of education, tolerance and fair play in sport are particularly important as a tolerant society is a pre-condition for social cohesion;

h) avoid using sport as a palliative measure, but instead identify the real needs and see how sport can contribute towards meeting them;

i) consider the need for follow-up activities after the conclusion of the initial programme, which may be linked into sports ;

j) recognise the potential of both organised and unorganised sport. Unorganised sport taking place outside of federations, sports associations and clubs, like street football, also creates groups and links between players.

 

INCORPORATING THE PRINCIPLES INTO PROGRAMMES

Programmes set up under a policy of using sport as a tool to encourage social cohesion should:

a) respect the factors outlined in points a-j above;

b) include a message on social cohesion;

c) define the common objectives according to the local or specific needs of the target group. The starting point for any specific programme has to be the position of people who make up the target group and their potential resources;

d) embody the concept of local ownership and control with a firm commitment to democracy. Direction and decisions should, whenever possible, take place at the local level, not "somewhere up there";

e) welcome and incorporate the ideas and suggestions of participants;

f) encourage and provide the opportunities for participants to have real responsibilities and involvement;

g) pursue quality across the spectrum. Projects should offer opportunities for good training, both to participants and leaders;

h) stress the role and importance of partnership. Any group that is set up should be open to newcomers, who on joining can identify readily with the club and its aims and feel that it is "their" group;

i) adopt a wide conception of sport when designing programmes (e.g. avoid thinking that all sport is team sport, that all sport takes place in clubs).

The European Ministers responsible for Sport, meeting in Bratislava for their 9^th Conference from 30-31 May 2000,

Referring to the Final Declaration and Action Plan resulting from the Summit of the Heads of State and Government meeting in Strasbourg, on 10 and 11 October 1997 which speaks of the need to strengthen "the legal protection of children" and encourages "the adoption of a programme to promote the interests of children".

Conscious of Article 7 (10) of the Revised European Social Charter (1996) which affirms the rights of children and young persons to special protection "against physical and moral dangers to which [they] are exposed…"

Recalling Article 1 of the European Sports Charter (R. (92) 13) which states that "Governments …..shall take the steps necessary ……to ensure that everyone should have the opportunity to take part in sport … in a safe and healthy environment…….[and] to protect …..the moral and ethical bases of sport and the human dignity and safety of those involved …. by safeguarding sports, sportsmen and sportswomen …from practices that are abusive or debasing"

Bearing in mind Recommendation 1121 (1990) of the Parliamentary Assembly whereby the Assembly considers that "the right of children to special protection imposes obligations on society and on the adults normally dealing with them such as parents, teachers, social workers, doctors and others";

Noting that the "Windhoek Call for Action" of 22 May 1998 stresses the need to take action to "Ensure a safe and supporting environment for all girls and women participating at all levels by taking steps to eliminate all forms of harassment and abuse, violence, exploitation….";

Mindful of the United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the Child, particularly Article 34 which calls on the States Parties "to undertake to protect the child from all forms of…sexual abuse";

Taking note of the work of the Committee for the Development of Sport already done in this area, especially the two reports on "The problems women and children face in sport with regard to sexual harassment" and the "Analysis of codes of practice for preventing sexual harassment and abuse to women and children in sport";

A. Resolve to:

1. commission research and collect data at national level, in co-operation with national or international organisations and researchers, to ascertain the scale and importance of this problem in sport in their countries;

2. prepare a national policy which would:

- make a clear statement about the absolute need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and women in sport;

- define harassment and abuse of women, young people and children in sport, and provide specific guidance on what is appropriate and inadmissible behaviour;

- explain that the principles apply to all, regardless of ethnic origins, age, gender, religion, disability or sexual orientation;

- promote awareness of concern over behaviour which may be harmful either physically or psychologically to children, or young people or female athletes;

- set out the responsibilities of sports organisations and individuals, including all those in relationships based on trust and/or power;

- list procedures that should be put into place and followed in order to protect children, young people and women athletes;

- stress the need for confidentiality and sensitivity in a delicate area;

- agree on sanctions and provide information on them.

3. agree that the implementation of the policy within the context of an overall framework of support and protection for children, young people and women in sport, could include such actions as:

- drawing up a basic code of conduct for coaches, trainers and leaders, incorporating the suggestions contained in the discussion document MSL-9 (2000) 3), which has been submitted to the Conference;

- encouraging national sports organisations to draw up codes of conduct based on the same principles;

- developing and disseminating information materials for families, athletes and coaches, trainers and leaders;

- setting up of independent telephone help lines;

- introducing specific courses on child protection in the education of coaches and trainers.

4.   to draw up a timetable for the rapid implementation of these measures.

B. Invite the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to ask the Committee for the Development of Sport to:

- promote research in the monitoring and evaluating of the measures (codes, help lines etc.) set up to combat sexual harassment and abuse among women, young people and children in sport;

- draft a specific reference to the prevention of sexual harassment and abuse for inclusion in a revised European Sports Charter (R (92) 13) and a revised Code of Sports Ethics (R (92) 14).

 

The European Ministers responsible for Sport, meeting in Bratislava for their 9^th Conference on 30 and 31 May 2000:

Noting the Declaration adopted at the European Conference on the Social Dimension of Football (Strasbourg, 22-23 November 1999);

Reaffirming strongly their commitment to the defence of the ethical values in sport and to the role sport plays in education for mutual respect, tolerance, fair-play, and against discrimination;

Welcoming the growing role of sport, especially football, in the development of communities but also concerned by recent outbreaks of racist behaviour at sports events;

Determined to offer all the support possible to host countries and the organisers of EURO 2000 to prevent outbreaks of spectator violence and misbehaviour during the Championships;

Agree to take at national level all necessary measures effectively to prevent and to combat racist behaviour, xenophobia and intolerance in all sports, in particular in relation to football matches;

Invite the Committee of Ministers to ask the Committee for the Development of Sport (CDDS) and the Standing Committee of the European Convention on Spectator Violence and Misbehaviour at Sports Events and in particular at Football Matches (T-RV) to prepare a draft text on the legislative, statutory, administrative, educative, legal and police measures to eliminate racist and xenophobic propaganda and behaviour of all kinds at sports events. This text should bring to the fore the respective and joint responsibilities which are incumbent upon both governments and non-governmental organisations (sport clubs, sport events organisers, stadium owners, etc.) to counter such behaviour.

The European Ministers responsible for Sport, meeting in Bratislava for their 9^th Conference from 30-31 May 2000

Convinced of the need for a partnership between sport and the environment which takes into account the existing international and national programmes directed towards sustainability in sport, together with those examples of good practice described in the Clearing House publication "Environment and Sport. Awareness raising, education, training".

Mindful that a clean and healthy environment is essential for those taking part in recreational or competitive sport and that many sports organisations and participants contribute actively to environmental protection,

Aware that the responsibility for sustainable development lies with all those active in sport and that the sports policy sector, the sports practice sector and the scientific sector, together with individual sportsmen and sportswomen, must be involved if progress is to be made in this field,

I Resolve:

to give their full support to the Code for Sustainability in Sport: A partnership between sport and the environment, reproduced in the Appendix.

II Invite the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe :

to adopt the "Code for Sustainability in sport: A partnership between sport and the environment" (see Appendix) as a Recommendation to Governments,

to ask the Committee for the Development of Sport (CDDS) to give appropriate follow-up to this Code, by setting up a working group.

III Resolve:

to distribute the Code, once adopted, in their own language, among national sports and environmental organisations and promote its dissemination to all the appropriate target groups,

to encourage the authorities responsible for sport and the environment to work together to encourage regional, national and international sports organisations and federations to develop campaigns, literature and educational materials in this area.

 

Appendix

This Code aims to set out guidelines for a working partnership between sport and the environment. It is important to ensure that sports can be enjoyed, both today and in the future, by as many people as possible in the most favourable conditions, by which is meant sport in a clean and healthy environment.

Sport in all its forms, practised at all levels, whether recreational or competitive sport, shares with the whole of human society the duty of nurturing and safeguarding the natural environment for both present and future generations. The adoption of the definition of sustainable development `as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs` is a starting point for action now.

The concept of sustainability in sport has already been incorporated into Article 10 of the European Sports Charter of 1992. This Article emphasises the responsibility of everyone involved in sport to protect the environment and promotes the introduction of a model of environmentally friendly sport. However, measures are needed to address those trends and practices in sport that are currently endangering the environment. The Code indicates realistic ways to ensure environmental protection. In practical terms this entails national policies that ensure respect for sustainability in sport in urban, open country and water areas.

The International Olympic Committee has organised conferences on sport and the environment, emphasised the need to respect environmental concerns when planning the Olympic Games and adopted Agenda 21, which reflects concern for the relationship between sport, the natural environment and sustainable development.

This code focuses on the three sectors that bear the major responsibility for action which are:

- the policy sector, which is composed of groups and people concerned with the strategic choices, legislation, values and the underlying issues behind these questions. This includes governments and international organisations;

- the sports practice sector which is made up of sports organisations and federations, those engaged in the planning and construction of sports facilities, the educational sector, those concerned with sports tourism and the sporting goods industry. This group covers the whole spectrum from the large international and national sporting federations to the sports clubs at the grassroots level to the individual sportsman and woman;

- the scientific sector which embraces institutions, groups and individuals carrying out research, collecting and evaluating data and disseminating information.

Co-ordination between these sectors should be assured. Moreover the similarity of aims and concerns provides an opportunity to create close partnerships between those working for sustainable development in sport and those working for environmental conservation and protection. Environmental organisations can provide useful expertise.

While each sector and its composite groups have a distinctive role to play in the area of sustainable sport there are areas where co-operation on common activities is essential. These include:

- exchanging information on progress and activities in their sector;

- emphasising the importance of education in environmental issues in relation to sport. Such education can take place in the framework of physical education and sports programmes in schools and universities, in sports clubs at all levels, in the programmes of international and national sports federations and associations and in sports management programmes;

- co-operating closely in the drawing up and implementation of international and national codes;

- alerting the media to the relevance and importance of this area and the need for closer co-operation. All three sectors should make a determined effort to involve the media in giving information on the need for measures and the actions being undertaken to halt the damage to the environment from sports activities;

- consulting on a broad basis to ascertain how widespread sports participation as favoured by `Sport for All` can be made compatible with the environmental concerns for sports facilities, sports related traffic, access to the countryside and the control of the noise, waste and pollution which sport generates.

The policy sector

To guarantee the practice of sport in a way that will contribute to sustainable development, national, regional and local governments should, as appropriate to their respective competence:

a) examine the need for legislation and similar measures on:

- the use of non-renewable natural resources e.g. land, water, fossil fuels and the promotion of eco-friendly materials in the planning, designing, constructing, operating and maintaining sports facilities;

- transport provision in the siting of sports facilities, both indoor and outdoor open air sport, as a way of reducing sports related traffic and keeping sports participants and spectators away from sensitive areas and protecting fauna and flora;

- the control of forms of sport and associated technological practices and changes that carry potential harm for the environment;

b) study the possibility of introducing financial incentives:

- to help modernise sports facilities to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources;

- to subsidise the development of sports facilities and the holding of sports events in proportion to the concern shown for the environment in their planning, as is already often the case for the disabled;

c) review their sports policies from the viewpoint of environmental friendliness;

d) consult at the international level to ensure that national legislation is compatible with that of other countries. This would prevent a situation where practices are forbidden or regulated in one country but can be engaged in freely without restriction elsewhere;

e) support and encourage the introduction of a "green" label that could be awarded to products, facilities, events, organisations etc. which are taking environmental concerns seriously;

f) when hosting major sports events ascertain that environmental concerns are taken into account from the outset throughout the whole operation.

The sports practice sector

All the sports and sports related bodies (sports organisations and federations, those engaged in planning, designing, operating and constructing sports facilities, the educational sector, the sports media, those concerned with sports tourism and the sporting goods industry) should be involved in the drafting and implementation of policies and projects at the national level. They should take steps to remain abreast of the results and research coming from the scientific sector. These measures would indicate the desirability of mainstreaming environmental concerns into all their programmes and short and long term planning.

Possible measures include:

- the appointment of a person, at whatever level is appropriate to an organisation, with responsibility for environmental questions;

- the drawing up of curricula and provision of packs for environmental education at all levels;

- the involvement of well known national sportswomen and sportsmen to support sustainability in sport;

- liaison between the sporting goods industry and the sports organisations and federations to promote the use of products which respect environmental concerns, possibly by the institution of an award or a special label;

- active respect for environmental factors in the management of sports facilities;

- promotion of environmental sensitivity in sports tourism.

This sector should co-operate closely with both the policy and sports practice sector to:

- undertake surveys and research to ascertain ways to limit damage to the environment through sport;

- investigate ways to measure environmental impact of sports, by for example evaluating a monitoring system of the costs and benefits of sport (for example sports events) in relation to potential damage resulting ;

- recommend new ways of sports involvement which can protect both the concept of "Sport for All" and promote sustainability in sport;

- collect and evaluate information on measures on both the international and national projects designed to encourage environmentally friendly sport;

- ensure the wide dissemination of information, research results and data on sport and sustainability to the sports community;

- provide advice and documentation to the various bodies that make up the policy and sports practice areas;

- analyse the various laws and codes for compatibility within Europe.

Achieving sustainability in sport is a task for the whole world of sport. Taking active responsibility for the environment is a vital and important step towards the attainment of a clean and healthy sport in the 3^rd millennium.

Everyone shares this responsibility and must ensure that their activities do not damage the environment, but rather safeguard and sustain it.

"A clean and healthy Sport for the third Millennium"

The European Ministers responsible for Sport, meeting in Bratislava for their 9^th Conference on 30 and 31 May 2000,

Bearing in mind the Resolutions and texts adopted at this Conference,

Reaffirming their belief that "sport for all" is a phenomenon of major importance which can unite the peoples of Europe across ethnic, cultural, social and economic boundaries,

Emphasising the positive role sport can play in society in furthering social cohesion and drawing individuals into mainstream society, and fighting exclusion,

Mindful of the benefits to physical health and social well-being of a lifestyle which includes regular sports activity,

Conscious of the need for all those involved in sport today to co-operate in ensuring "A clean and healthy sport for the 3^rd millennium" and to recognise their part in transmitting to their successors a heritage of sport, combining high ideals and firm principles, based on individual fulfilment and social progress,

Realise that achieving this depends on a determined effort to counter those practices that sully the image of sport, for example, corruption, doping, violence and sexual harassment and abuse, especially of children, young people and women,

Acknowledge the need to continue to strengthen national efforts to combat doping in sport, and underline the roles of the Anti-Doping Convention and the World Anti-Doping Agency in the international aspects of this fight,

Accept, furthermore, the need to educate, encourage and assist the world of sport to implement the fundamental principles for the sustainable development of sport for future generations, while respecting a balanced management of the environment,

Thank the Parliamentary Assembly, the Committee for the Development of Sport, the Standing Committee of the European Convention on Spectator Violence and the Monitoring Group of the Anti-Doping Convention for the work they have carried out to strengthen, develop and enhance co-operation in sport and further the aims of the Council of Europe since their last Conference in Lisbon in 1995,

Acknowledge the importance of the policy-making role at the European level of the Committee for the Development of Sport and the prominence given in its programme to values and ethics, which are the foundation for a clean and healthy sport in a democratic society, based on the principles of tolerance and fair play,

Note the invitation of the Government of Hungary to hold the 10^th Conference in Budapest in 2004,

Thank the Slovak authorities for the smooth organisation of the Conference and the generous hospitality offered during it.

1 Sprint Seminar organised by the Council of Europe, in co-operation with the Portuguese National Sports Institute, in Lisbon on 24 and 25 June 1999. See document CDDS (99) 58 for the report and conclusions of the seminar.