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Building peace in the minds of men and women

International Charter of Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport

The International Charter of Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport is a rights-based reference that orients and supports policy- and decision-making in sport.

It promotes inclusive access to sport by all without any form of discrimination. It sets ethical and quality standards for all actors designing, implementing and evaluating sport programmes and policies. 

This unique text is the expression of a common vision by all stakeholders  whether they are professional or amateur athletes, referees, public authorities, law enforcement, sports organizations, betting operators, owners of sports-related rights, the media, non-governmental organizations, administrators, educators, families, the medical profession or other stakeholders.

Download the Sport Charter

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Adopted at the 20th session of the UNESCO’s General Conference (1978), the original Charter was perceived as innovative at the time - as it was the first rights-based document to state that “the practice of physical education and sport is a fundamental right for all”.

Based on the universal spirit of the original Charter and integrating the significant evolutions in the field of sport since 1978, the revised International Charter of Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport was adopted during UNESCO’s 38th session of the General Conference (November 2015).The revised Charter introduces universal principles such as gender equality, non-discrimination and social inclusion in and through sport. It also highlights the benefits of physical activity, the sustainability of sport, the inclusion of persons with disabilities and the protection of children.

The revision of the Charter involved experts and practitioners from governments, sports organizations, academia and NGOs. This new version was carefully examined through sessions of the Intergovernmental Committee for Physical Education and Sport (CIGEPS) and its Permanent Consultative Council (PCC), as well as UNESCO’s Executive Board. It is a follow-up to the Declaration of Berlin that was adopted by 600 participants from 121 countries, as an outcome of the 5th World Conference of Sport Ministers (MINEPS V). 

The Charter in a glimpse

Access to sport as a fundamental right for all

  • Article 1 - The practice of physical education, physical activity and sport is a fundamental right for all 

The values and benefits of sport

  • Article 2 - Physical education, physical activity and sport can yield a wide range of benefits to individuals, communities and society at large
  • Article 11 - Physical education, physical activity and sport can play an important role in the realization of development, peace and post-conflict and post-disaster objectives

Quality and ethical principles 

  • Article 4 - Physical education, physical activity and sport programmes must inspire lifelong participation
  • Article 5 – All stakeholders must ensure that their activities are economically, socially and environmentally sustainable
  • Article 6 - Research, evidence and evaluation are indispensable components for the development of physical education, physical activity and sport
  • Article 7 - Teaching, coaching and administration of physical education, physical activity and sport must be performed by qualified personnel
  • Article 8 - Adequate and safe spaces, facilities and equipment are essential to quality physical education, physical activity and sport
  • Article 9 - Safety and the management of risk are necessary conditions of quality provision
  • Article 10 - Protection and promotion of the integrity and ethical values of physical education, physical activity and sport must be a constant concern for all

The roles of different stakeholders

  • Article 3 – All stakeholders must participate in creating a strategic vision, identifying policy potions and priorities
  • Article 12 – International cooperation is a prerequisite for enhancing the scope and impact of physical education, physical activity and sport

Applications of the Charter

Article 12.3 of the Charter indicates its main applications: advocacy; developing/ sharing indicators and other monitoring and evaluation tools; education programmes; exchange of good practice; capacity development.

The Quality Physical Education Policy Project illustrates how principles and recommendations stipulated in the Charter can be translated into action through indicators, benchmarks and other tools.

 

Contact

Philipp Müller-Wirth
Youth and Sport Section
Social and Human Sciences Sector
UNESCO
7 place de Fontenoy
75352 Paris 07 SP FRANCE
Tel.: + 33 (0)1 45 68 14 03 
E-mail: p.muller-wirth(at)unesco.org