2012 FISU Forum: Overview of Day 2

Delegates from Ireland and France present the workshop conclusions

TAIPEI CITY – The first activity of the second day of the Forum was for Kazan (Russian Federation). The host city of the next Universiade in 2013 made a presentation of their growing in preparation of that event. Members of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate presented their event, informing that they are expecting to host 13,500 athletes from 170 countries for the Universiade. That event will mobilize also 50,000 tourists and fans. As far as the volunteers are concerned, 13,000 volunteers have already applied and they are expecting to receive 20,000 of them.

Workshop session in progress

The second plenary session of the 2012 FISU Forum focused on making university sport more eco-friendly and sustainable. The three keynote speakers, Martin Doulton (AUS), Bill Thompson (GBR) and Jarijn Nijkamp (NED) discussed the harm that university sport has done to the environment in the past and the need to find newer, more environmentally sound practices.

Mr. Doulton, the director of sport at Monash University, which has its main campus in Australia, presented his idea, which he called “Vision Zero”. What this means is reducing the adverse effect his university’s sporting activities have on the environment to zero. Through instituting green initiatives like putting lights on separate switches and getting solar panelling, Vision Zero has saved 255,338 kilowatt hours per year and $163,803 in its first three years.

Mr. Thompson, of the City University of London, admitted that his university’s sports centre was the worst culprit as far as energy emissions on campus. However, the university’s new sporting centre will bring about a 30 per cent reduction in energy use, while the university is looking at improving environmentalism in other areas such as transportation. “We looked at changing our complete behavior,” said Mr. Thompson. “The university had already done this, my sports department just had to catch up.”

The final speaker was Mr. Nijkamp, who is the marketing manager of the EU Games in 2014, to be hosted in Rotterdam. A large event like the Games, which will include over 4,000 athletes, is inevitably going to have environmental consequences, Mr. Nijkamp said. The key, he explained is to work with partners in areas like transportation, waste management, infrastructure and communication to reduce the environmental impact as much as possible.

Meeting new people, making new friends

In the afternoon of day two, the delegates of the Forum travelled to Taipei’s National Palace Museum. The museum is home to over 670,000 artefacts, spanning roughly 8,000 years of Chinese history. The FISU members were given tours of the museum’s array of exhibits, which included displays of ancient pottery and porcelain, rare books and documents, and painting and calligraphy.
 

Forum attendants at the National Palace Museum

(Source: Paulo Ferreira – WUC Executive Assistant, Justin Fauteux, Diacunda Sene – Students Committee)

CESU Member Mrs Gyöngyi Földesi (HUN)

What do you think about FISU forum?

“The FISU Forum is a great opportunity for exchanging ideas and experiences in sport organization in the world. It’s really fun.”
Sara Holmgren, Sweden

“The FISU Forum is great. We exchange our opinion and make more cooperation. We also connect each other.” 
Lee Choung-Chi, Chinese Taipei

“FISU Forum is a very strategic platform to integrate cultures, ideas and experiences with in the sport movement. It further gives one an opportunity to be open minded on how sport education can help to achieve the core priorities in a country continent and the world.”
Makhosandile Majeke, South Africa

“I think that it’s very eye-opening because it is the first time I see many people from around the world. It’s also the first time I see such strong organization taking part in university sport. In my school, people don’t play [a role] in getting involved in sport.” 

Lye May-Yee (Jaime), Singapore

“It’s a learning experience and exchange opportunity between students around the world.”
Bruno Barracosa, Portugal

“It’s really a great opportunity for teenagers to learn more about sport, to discover different cultures from other origins. It helps us from the island to develop more our mentality.”

Ioane Amituanai, American Samoa

“FISU Forum is for me an important event. My first attending of this kind of forum was in 2002. Since that date I usually participate. Those participations allowed me to become member of the executive committee. The Forum is a moment for FISU to be more visible by students and teachers. I wish all the continental federation members participate in the FISU Forum in order to know the university sport organization and its mission.”
Leopold Germain Senghor, Senegal

“The FISU forum is an incredible opportunity for the young people all over the world. It provides a platform and avenue for students and officials to engage conversation regarding cultural differences among sports in the university setting. Everyone walks away with new friends and ideas to take home.”
Lori Thomas, USA

“This is my first Forum and I’m very excited to be here. I think the Forum is very good; it’s the big chance for students to be able to interact with people who make the decision and tell them what they think. Because many times, people make decisions without asking the students but here they can give their thoughts on the international level. It helps us develop our skills, ourselves. The most important is partnership and fun.”
Nabasirye Dorothy Marjorie, Uganda

“I think that FISU Forum is multicultural and dynamic.” 

David Marclay, Switzerland