A view of the EFPM general Assembly in Poreç

The EFPM's 17th Congress in Porec gets full marks

* The theme of the Congress, which was attended by experts and academics in the field of sport from all over Europe, was: 'Sport as part of culture; Fair Play is part of the culture of sport'.

The 17th European Fair Play Congress and the EFPM General Assembly took place in Porec, Croatia on 28/09 – 01/10/2010 in the Istrian Assembly Hall of Porec, with the cooperation of the Slovenian Olympic Committee and the FYROM Olympic Committee and under the patronage of the European Olympic Committees, the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education and the Municipality of Porec. The topic which was discussed was "Sport as a part of Culture: Fair Play as a part of Sport Culture" and focused on four sub-topics:

1. Sport as an agent of moral change and transfer;
2. Ethical conduct of the sport coaches;
3. Fair play and the supporters' behavior;
4. The media and the sport violence.

The Opening Ceremony took place in the wonderful Villa Polessini with the presence of the representative of the Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Sport, the Croatian NOC President Mr. Zlatko Matesa, the Mayor of Porec Mr. Edi Stifanic and many local officials. Their welcome speeches were warmly appreciated by the members of the EFPM community and the guests of the Congress. In addition to the main event, the organizers provided a very interesting exhibition af paintings and caricatures made by the elementary schools of the wider Porec area and from other countries (Slovakia, etc.).

The Congress itself started on Thursday morning with a video welcome speech from Prof. Dr. Josipovic, President of the Republic of Croatia.

The International keynote speakers of the Congress were:

• Mr. Spyros Kapralos from Greece, EOC EC Member, who spoke about "Sport as an agent of moral change and transfer",
• Mr. Yannis Daras from Greece, President of UEPS, who presented the topic "Football and Sport asa ambassadors of moral values",
• Prof. Dr. Patrick Duffy from U.K., who spoke about "The ethical responsibilities of the sport coaches"',
• Prof. Dr. Matej Tusak from Slovenia, who analyzed the "Ethical behavior of the coach", and
• Prof. Dr. Gilad Weingarten from Israel, who spoke about the "Fair Play and the Spectators' behavior".

Guests attending the congress were:

ENGSO President Ms. Birgitta Kervinen (Finland)
EPAS Representative Mr. Ilham Mehmedov (Azerbaijan).
The National keynote speakers were:

• Prof. Dr. Franjo Prot, who made the opening speech and dealt with the topic "The culture of peace - Fair Play is the only way",
• Mr. Jura Ozmec B.A., who put the question " Is sport a part of culture and where do the media standin relation to the issue?"
•Dr. Renato Matic, who spoke about "Fair Play in sports and influence on social values: on intensity, universality and possible reciprocity of relationships",
• Mr. Zrinko Custonja B.A. who analyzed the question "Fair Play and the Croatian society: is Fair Play really important in Croatia?",
• Prof. Dr. Drazen Lalic, who spoke about "Fair Play and violent behavior of football supporters in modern Croatia and other countries of South-Eastern Europe".

Short Papers were presented by:

• Katarina Raczova: "Sport + Education = Olympic Values" – Conveying olympic values in a playful way.
Morana Gruden-Palikovic: "Women in sport are true challenge for Fair Play Movement"
• Yotaka Miura: "Sports as a part of culture in Japan – Cultural sognificamce in the course of study for lower secondary schools"
• Ivana Lukacic: "Fair Play in the Croatian media"
• Zeliko Mataja: "Sport and violence in sport"
• Biserka Perman: "Is sports system a just one?"
• Lieke Vloet: "A safe sports environment"
• Dr. Morana Brkljacic-Zagrovic: "Bioethical aspects of modern sport: crossroad of self-destruction and desirable moral hominization"
• Mimi Vurdelja: "Doping and the equal opportunities principle"
• Natasa Muzdalo and Darko Tot: "Using education to counter sports violence"
• Prof. Dr. Romana Caput-Jogunica: "Fair Play in higher education and university sports in Zagreb"
• Dr. Bilge Donuk: "Fair Play in culture and education in Turkey"
• Prof. Dr. Zofia Zukowska: "Ethical reflection on sports coach's professional attitude"
• Alen Jerkunica: "Ethics in sports management"
• Ioannis Psilopoulos: "Can we have Fair Play in sport in today's society?"
• Andrej Pavlovic: "Changing culture: shaping young supporters behavior"
• Prof. Dr. Vladimir Rodichenko: "Fair Play and spectators: one way ticket"

A workshop for the EFPM delegates was organized on Thursday evening in Villa Polessini, where topics relevant to the development of a National Fair Play Organization were discussed with great success.

Finally, a Panel discussion was organized at the end of the Congress, where the panelists and the Congress participants analyzed the topic "Culture, Media and Sport", extended useful views and tried to reach some concrete conclusions.

The Congress was an absolute success thanks to the efforts of the Organizing Committee and mainly President Zlatko Matesa, Biserka Vrbek, Biserka Perman and the group of volunteers as well as of the associated Scientific Committee headed by Prof. Dr. Romana Caput-Jogunica. Of course, a special mentioning must be made for the contribution of the Croatian Olympic Committee and the Municipality of Porec. Without their support the Congress could not be organized in the high quality that it was finally achieved.