FISU & ODUPA Delegates meet the University Rector
On October 9th, the delegates of the conference met with the Rector and the Vice-rector of the Universidad de Oriente for a presentation of the history and activities of the University.
Mr. Stefan Bergh, FISU Vice-President and CDSU Chair opened the session by a speech on “FISU Development Program: Roots, Strategies, Challenges”. He made an overview of the work started in 2001 and developed in 2003 with the Challenge 21 Group on the co-operation between FISU and the Continental and Regional Federations and the strategic plan and survey conducted inside of FISU. He reminded that one of the major achievements was the adoption by the General Assembly in 2007 of the Status of FISU Associate Member as formal recognition for the Continental University Sport Federations. To his point of view this Federations are one of the important tools to build even closer relations with the FISU Member Associations.
The second person who spoke was Mr. Luciano Cabral, FISU Vice-President. He presented the situation of University sport in Latin America, focusing on the following aspects: the participation of the Latin-American countries in regional and world wide university sport events, the current difficulties and opportunities for future development. Amongst the difficulties he mentioned, was the low communication amongst the National University Sports Federations. For the future the major step for him is to increase the number of Latin-American countries as members of ODUPA, ODUCC and FISU.
Kolë Gjeloshaj, FISU Director of Educational and Development Services and Chief of Staff to the President presented the FISU structure and activities. The presentation focussed on two main points, the specificities of FISU in comparison with the other international multisport organisations and the opportunities offered by FISU to organize or take part to a very large program of sport and educational activities.
The last presentation of the day was entitled: “Women in the International University Sport – Situation, Barriers and Challenges” by FISU Assesor and Chair of the Women Committee Verena Burk. After making a synthesis on the women involved in sport activities and the strategies that the international sports organizations may develop to tackle the gender issue, Ms. Burk spoke about the situation within the FISU movement. In FISU, a Women Committee was created in October 2007. She presented the survey made by this Committee inside of the FISU movement. The second significant action of the WC is the launching of a FISU Women Award. This award was presented for the first time during the General Assembly in June 2009.
Her conclusion was focusing on the few number of women present in high positions in the sport structures.
After the conclusions and the deliverance of diplomas to the international guests and speakers, a cultural program was offered to the participants.
For the FISU, ODUPA, ODUCC and COSUD representatives the day ended by attending the ceremony of the celebration of the 62nd anniversary of the foundation of the University.
Stefan Bergh
Luciano Cabral
Verena Burk
Kolë Gjeloshaj