Disaster management professionals are invited to attend an innovative seminar that promotes sport as an effective tool in helping communities and individuals rebuild in post-traumatic situations. Two of the world's leading organisations in their respective fields, the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE) and the German Red Cross as part of the International Red Cross, are cooperating in this initiative.
The seminar, entitled Sport in Post-Disaster Intervention, will include hands-on training and practical tools for those working in disaster relief. These include, among others, sport and adaptive physical activity delivery methods in disaster relief areas, and developing sporting activities without equipment. It will occur 4-9 November 2007 just outside of Berlin, in Rheinsberg, Germany.
"At every hour of the day, the children in the refugee camp Farchana play with a still shining white soccer ball on an empty sand field. And when we organise a football match between the different teams in the camp, even the women with full water buckets stay to not miss the next goal," says Johanna Mahr from the German Red Cross about her work experiences near Chad's border with Darfur (Sudan).
Sport can support the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of individuals of all age groups. Integrating sport activities into a rebuilding community can therefore help to motivate, encourage team building, and cope after the traumatising experience.
"The involvement of the German Red Cross allows us to introduce realistic and effective ways of preparing disaster management professionals to use sport and physical activity as an additional method for community recovery," says Detlef Dumon, Executive Director of ICSSPE.
This event is financed with the assistance of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Germany. It is co-organised by Kennesaw State University, USA and presented in partnership with the Fürst Donnersmarck-Foundation.
Certification for this course can be provided by Kennesaw State University. Continuing Education Units for professional certification are awarded by the university upon completion.
The seminar, entitled Sport in Post-Disaster Intervention, will include hands-on training and practical tools for those working in disaster relief. These include, among others, sport and adaptive physical activity delivery methods in disaster relief areas, and developing sporting activities without equipment. It will occur 4-9 November 2007 just outside of Berlin, in Rheinsberg, Germany.
"At every hour of the day, the children in the refugee camp Farchana play with a still shining white soccer ball on an empty sand field. And when we organise a football match between the different teams in the camp, even the women with full water buckets stay to not miss the next goal," says Johanna Mahr from the German Red Cross about her work experiences near Chad's border with Darfur (Sudan).
Sport can support the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of individuals of all age groups. Integrating sport activities into a rebuilding community can therefore help to motivate, encourage team building, and cope after the traumatising experience.
"The involvement of the German Red Cross allows us to introduce realistic and effective ways of preparing disaster management professionals to use sport and physical activity as an additional method for community recovery," says Detlef Dumon, Executive Director of ICSSPE.
This event is financed with the assistance of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Germany. It is co-organised by Kennesaw State University, USA and presented in partnership with the Fürst Donnersmarck-Foundation.
Certification for this course can be provided by Kennesaw State University. Continuing Education Units for professional certification are awarded by the university upon completion.
