SPORT 1913 - 2013

part two_CHAPTER 9

Contribution to Women’s Sport with the IWG

Since 2008, the CSIT has emphasised its intention to set up a clear and inviting plan to install a second pillar for people who do not want to, or due to a physical disability, are un- able to participate in sport competitions, be- sides the competitive sports disciplines that are organised in so-called Technical Sports Commissions. The non-competitive sports program of the CSIT actually targets a much bigger group worldwide. As life expectancy has risen significantly during the last three decades, the generation 50+ in particular, is ready to be part of a worldwide sport for all movement but, as mentioned above, not in a sports world that measures. Joy of physical ac- tivity is much more in the centre than the fight for medals and personal records. To bet- ter understand the needs of this target group and to support each other, the CSIT decided to work closely with the TAFISA. “The Sport for All movement has evolved in recent years and continues to gain momen- tum. For this reason, there is an ever-increas- ing need for the flagship organisations of this movement, and its closely related sectors, to understand and cooperate with each other to lead the movement in the right direction. A strong alliance between TAFISA and CSIT would create a foundation for more effective influence, and could provide the level of in- ternational cooperation necessary to reach the common goals of all those who cherish the values of Sport for All and enjoy the ben- efits of a strengthening Sport for All move- ment through the development of the Sport

Mrs. Yagodin from the BulgarianWorkers Fed- eration Sport & Health officially signed the Brighton Declaration, in order to recognise the important role that sports and physical activity play in the lives of girls and women. This implies that the aims of the Brighton Declaration will be supported in every aspect of sport and the principles considered in the policy of CSIT. IWG-Co-Chair Mrs Raija Mat- tila from the National Finnish Sports Federa- tion invited the CSIT to stay up-to-date with the current developments in the field of wom- en and sports. TAFISA began in the 1960’s as a semi-regular gathering of international but individual per- sonalities and leaders interested in working in the field of sport for all, under the title “Trim and Fitness” (TAFISA 1960). At this time, sport for all was a little known concept. In 1991 the “Trim and Fitness International Sport for All Association” was officially formed and regis- tered in Frankfurt, Germany. Since 2009 the TAFISA is known as The Association for Inter- national Sport for All to more accurately de- scribe its activities and its position as a lead- ing International Sport for All association. TAFISA is an international, non-govern- mental and non-profit organisation with the main aim to attract people from each and ev- ery location and demographic to participate in sport for all and physical activity, just as the CSIT does. Towards an Alliance with the TAFISA in Sport for All

At the beginning of 2012, CSIT Vice-President MP Sirpa Paatero from the Finnish Workers Sport Organisation TUL brought the interest- ing topic of gender equality in sports life to the agenda. The organisation IWG (Interna- tional Working Group on Women and Sports) was established in 1994 at the first World Con- ference on Women and Sports held in Brigh- ton. IWG is an independent coordinating body consisting of representatives of key govern- mental and non-governmental organisations from different regions of the world (IWG 2012). The vision of the IWG is to realise a sus- tainable sporting culture that enables and val- ues the full involvement of women in every aspect of sport. The mission is to be a catalyst for the advancement and empowerment of women and sport globally. Therefore the IWG has chosen the slogan “Empowering women – Advancing sport”. Mrs. Paatero was very much in favour for the CSIT to sign the so-called Brighton Decla- ration (1994) in order to fight for women’s rights and women’s equality, within the CSIT. A discussion with the leadership members re- vealed no objections to the policy of the IWG and the active support of the content of the Brighton Declaration. At the first CSIT Executive meeting after their Congress held in Rome, Italy, in February 2012, CSIT President Bauer together with the two female Vice-Presidents, Mrs. Paatero and

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