2
NDCALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
E UROPEAN S TUDY D AY - YOUNG RESEARCHERS 2ND EUROPEANCONFERENCE ON EDUCATIONTHROUGHSPORT
“Living together through sport in Europe”
Cross-disciplinary approaches in social sciences
7
thof April 2011, Dunkerque (France)
Following the 1st European Conference on Education through Sport organised in Strasbourg (France) in November 2008, the Strasbourg University sports social sciences research team (EA 1342) in partnership with the Agency for Education through Sport are organising the 2nd conference on the theme
“Living together through Sport” on the 7th and 8th of April 2011.
This event will take place over two days:
-
On the 7th of April 2011: European Study Day - Young Researchers, organised by the Strasbourg University sports social sciences research team (EA 1342) (directed by C. Talleu and W. Gasparini) on the theme: “Social cohesion through sport in Europe: processes and those involved in the field”. This study day is open to all those studying master’s degrees, doctorates and young postdoctorates who are members of research groups and/or universities in Europe.-
On the 8th of April 2011: A European conference organised by the Agency for Education through Sport on the theme “Developing sport as a social and educational tool”. Speakers will include those in charge of institutions, elected members, members of universities, representatives from sports organisations, sports persons, those involved in associations, etc.
The aim of the first day is twofold:
- To compare university and national approaches to the social functions of sport in different European countries using a cross-disciplinary approach in social sciences (sociology, anthropology, history, ethnology, psychology, philosophy, political sciences, and educational sciences).
- To form a potential network of European researchers in sports social sciences.
SOCIAL SCIENCES OF SPORT RESEARCH TEAM (EA 1342)
The contribution of sport to social cohesion in Europe
In the light of the recent structural transformation of contemporary society and the emergence of new social fractures, sport has been widely called upon to combat new forms of vulnerability affecting excluded populations such as girls in precarious situations, minorities, the mentally handicapped, and the disabled, the unemployed, or even the elderly. In this sense, sport is a model of “integration” for different excluded populations and constitutes a tool to serve local and national policies aimed at social cohesion and “living together”.
This widely held idea of sport which “integrates” and “unites” has been progressively confirmed by European institutions. In the view of the Council of Europe, sport is indeed a “factor for insertion, participation in social life, tolerance and acceptance of differences” (May 2003). This principle was conveyed in 2004 by the European Committee for Social Cohesion which recalled the active role of sport in building a cohesive society where diversity is more a source of mutual enrichment than a factor of division and conflict. Finally, with the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the main intentions of this European universalism in sport were ratified once again. Article 149 of the Treaty states that “The Union contributes to the promotion of European challenges in sport whilst taking account of its specific nature, its structures based on volunteering, and its social and educational function”. The Treaty thus paves the way for the introduction of a new educational and social dimension for sport in Europe.
In fact, social reality does not always correspond to principles and intentions. Scientific analysis therefore imposes distance from national beliefs and ideologies in order to understand, by comparing experiences in the field and through European comparison, differences in initiatives, the significance of practising sport for populations which it is deemed must “be integrated” and its real contribution to “living together”.
Through research enriched by surveys and empirical data, the daily practice of sport and sports institutions should be analysed to understand the capacity of sport to create or recreate the social links that are generally considered to be generated. How can the practice of sport contribute to the active participation of each man and woman as a fully-fledged citizen? How can we “live together” with our differences through the practice of sport? How can practising sport create solidarity? Far from any ideological prejudice, it is therefore this fundamental question of social cohesion through sport that our study day wishes to deal with, comparing the views of young European researchers.
Based upon these essential considerations regarding the understanding of the challenges of European sport, submissions are called for on four main themes:
- Policies and ideologies serving “living together” through sport
Social cohesion is at the heart of structural policies and organisations of the European States. It forms part of a multitude of initiatives and recommendations intended for those who are excluded or for vulnerable populations. In the form of insurance models aimed at combating inequality and exclusion, these public policies have an ideological basis and favour - sometimes in a complementary way - positive discrimination, non-discrimination, equality or fairness. What are the social and political initiatives that have been put in place by European countries to develop the social functions of sport? How are they formed? Which presuppositions are they based upon?
- The contribution of physical activities and sport to quality of life: health, well-being and self- esteem
From the view of the Council of Europe, social cohesion is the capacity of a society to sustain well- being for all its members. Against a context where life expectancy has been prolonged and the illnesses of modern life have accelerated (obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular risks, etc), physical activity and sport is frequently invoked in projects aimed at fostering health, well-being and self- esteem. The contribution of the practice of sport to improving the quality of life, particularly for the disabled, the elderly, the chronically ill or the socially inadequate should therefore be analysed carefully. Beyond principles and intentions, what is the reality of sport-related situations experienced by vulnerable populations? What can the role of physical activities and sport be in preserving mental health and the social fabric? How can outdoor sport and sport for leisure and tourism be organised for these groups of the population?
- The practice of sport and the social participation of minority or vulnerable populations Initiatives to develop social cohesion through sport mainly concern certain social groups referred to as minority or vulnerable populations such as the handicapped or the sick, the elderly, girls in precarious situations, the unemployed, “ethnic minorities” (or populations of immigrant origin), homosexuals, etc. How can these people participate in social life through sport? Which sports do they participate in and in what way? What socio-cultural meaning do they attach to their physical activities? These questions also highlight challenges related to intercultural and intergenerational aspects, co-education, etc. How can we “live together” through sport: with ourselves or with Others?
- The development of social cohesion through physical education and sport at school
In shaping a lucid, responsible and independent citizen, schools are particularly interested in fostering “living together”. In Physical Education and Sport, socialisation means not only learning rules for life in a group, a culture and common codes facilitating social interrelations, but also the necessity of otherness in building one's own character. “Living together” not only consists of accepting differences (tolerance) but building one's character through Others. In employment and social policy, “living together” extends beyond being simply an end in itself and becomes a real tool for learning. In this regard, we can ask ourselves whether Sport and Physical Activities have socialising virtues and if so which ones? Can physical education and sport contribute, for example, to promoting intercultural skills? The practice of sport thus offers different opportunities for socialisation.
Analytical frameworks should be given in order to recognise these opportunities through the learning situations proposed. The way in which teaching reconstructs the nature of social relations in the class group, the school and more generally in the local urban environment may also be studied.
The Scientific Committee
The study day will take place under the aegis of a scientific committee composed of members of universities and young researchers:
University Scientific Committee:
Antonio Da Silva Costa (Professor of Sports Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal, -unconfirmed-), Gilles Bui-Xuân (Professor of Sports Sciences, Littoral University, France), Joseph Dovalil (Professor of Sports Sciences, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic), William Gasparini (Professor of Sports Sciences, Strasbourg University, France), Petra Giess-Stueber (Professor of Sports Pedagogy and Sciences, Freiburg University, Germany), Ian Henry (Professor of Leisure Policy and Management, Loughborough University, Great Britain), Michel Koebel (Doctor of Sociology, Strasbourg University, France), Aggée- Célestin Lomo Myazhiom (Doctor of History, Strasbourg University, France), Catherine Louveau (Professor of Sports Sciences, University of Paris 11 Orsay, France), Anne Marcellini (Professor of Sports Sciences, Montpellier University, France), Christelle Marsault (Doctor of Sports Sciences, Strasbourg University, France), Nicola Porro (Professor of Sociology, Institute of Motor Sciences and Health, Cassino University, Italy), Uwe Pühse (Professor of Sports Sciences, Basel University, Switzerland), Otto Schantz (Professor of Sports Sciences, University of Coblence-Landau, Germany), Swantje Scharenberg (Professor of History, Karlsruhe University, Germany).
Young Researchers Scientific Committee:
Guillaume Erckert, Johanne Geiger, Frédéric Reichhart, Clotilde Talleu, Pierre Weiss (doctors and PhD students, from the sports social science research team, Strasbourg), Natalie Barker-Ruchti (PhD, Basel University), Simone Digennaro (Ph.D., University of Rome II, Italy), Kajsa Gilenstam (Dr, Umeå University, Sweden), Sabrina Granata (Dr, Catania University, Italy), Elke Grimminger (Dr, Freiburg University, Germany), Isolde Reichel (Ph.D., Berne University, Switzerland), Christiane Reuter (Dr, Würzburg University, Germany), Astrid Schubring (Ph.D., Tübingen University, Germany), Haifa Tlili (Dr, University of Concordia Montreal, Canada).
Standards and documents transmission
The papers written in French or in English (300 words at the most) will have to be enclosed to the registration form that you will find below. They must also be sent back to the following e mail address:
jejc2010@gmail.com
They will imperatively have to specify the issue brought up for discussion, as well as the ground elected to carry out the investigation.
Deadlines
Deadline to send the proposed papers: 30th of September 2010
The papers’ senders will be informed around the 15th of November 2010 of the drafts selected after a double expertise of the scientific committee.
Those last ones will also have to transmit their written texts by the 15th of January 2011, at the latest so as to ease the simultaneous translation during the day of studies.
Additional information
No expenses need to be paid to register for the day of studies. The attendance is free.
The expenses for the persons participating to the conferences, regarding their accommodation and their meals will be covered by the organisation.
The persons, which papers will be selected, will also be invited at the second day of the conference, the theme being « Developing sport as a social and education tool in Europe ».
Two prizes of EUR 1500 will be given for the best scientific submissions by the Agency for Education through Sport on the second day of the conference.
Contacts : Clotilde Talleu
EA 1342 « sports social sciences research team » University of Strasbourg
clotilde.talleu@unistra.fr
For any information that you may need concerning the scientific aspect of the day of studies, please send your request at the following e mail address:
jejc2010@gmail.com
EUROPEAN STUDY DAY – YOUNG RESEARCHERS
“Living together through sport in Europe”
Application form
Surname:
First name : Address:
Phone number:
Email:
Status:
Which institution are you attached to ?
Whished equipment:
□ None
□ Overhead projector
□ Video projector
□ Any other you would like to mention:
Title of the proposed paper:
Chosen theme:
□ Policies and ideologies serving “living together” through sport.
□ The contribution of physical activities and sport to quality of life: health, well-being and self-esteem.
□ The practice of sport and the social participation of minority or vulnerable populations.
□ The development of social cohesion through physical education and sport at school.
Summary (300 words at the maximum):
Bibliographical references (5 maximum):
Key-words (5 at the most):
We are also looking for politicians, members of universities and those involved in sports or sports associated bodies to speak on the 2nd day of this European conference.
If, in your network, you know of people working on issues related to “living together” through sport, please contact Floriane Courtois.
Floriane Courtois fcourtois@apels.org
