More than 25 young people from 12 different countries involved in youth sport and education organisations gathered in Hong-Kong in mid December for the 2nd Global Dialogue Training Course organised by the International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA), the Academy of physical education in Ollerup and the Hong-Kong Gymnastics Association. The training course is supported by the European Union through the Youth in Action programme. 

 

The goals of the week were fourfold: 

- to initiate a sustainable network of and communication platform for youth and sport organisations from China and European countries.

- to increase the capacity of youth leaders and their organisations as well as key youth multipliers, all part of the project, to use education through sport and physical activity as a means to achieve international understanding and dialogue.

- to increase awareness among local political decision makers and community leaders in Europe and China on the diversity of sport and physical activity cultures and their potential for positive exchanges and tolerance among the youth 

- to use the method of non-formal education through sport and physical activity in a series of activities to boost intercultural understanding, cultural exchange and networking among young people from EU countries and China 

 

The European University Sports Association was among the represented organisations, with Mr Valentin Dupouey, EUSA Media and Communication Commission member, taking part in the training course. Participants from Asia and Europe, from very different backgrounds and organisations were highly interested in EUSA, its goals and its activities especially in the upcoming 2014 EUSA Games in Rotterdam. The volunteer program also raised a lot of interest from participants. 

 

Personal contacts were made during this exciting and challenging week and discussions should follow in order to try to develop innovative opportunities of cooperation between Europe and Asia. University Sport appeared to be a good platform to initiate such cooperation. Thus, for example, many participants from both Europe and Asia wondered about the possibility of extending the current volunteer program to Asia and to get it funded by various European and Asian programs.