Athletics and UNESCO cooperate at the national level in Slovenia

The Slovenian Athletic Federation and the Slovenian National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have signed a letter of intent to promote the benefits of athletics and physical education, a national cooperation that will mirror the successful seven-year international relationship between Paris-based UNESCO and European Athletics.

The agreement provides a framework for joint activities, including a recent UNESCO-sponsored run for kids in the town of Ptuj, an on-going anti-doping education programme led by young athletes and a strong contingent of Slovenian members on the online European Athletics-UNESCO Young Leaders Community.

For its part, the federation will link existing and new activities, particularly in the area of public health and social responsibility, with UNESCO's values and credibility. The National Commission will provide communications and other practical support, including endorsement of applications for funding offered at the international level by UNESCO.

'The cooperation with the National Commission is an important symbolic and practical step for us,' said federation president Gregor Benčina. 'It underlines and supports our aim to become more recognised as a socially responsible organisation.'

The federation has recently implemented a new strategy emphasising three areas: top athletics, mass participation/recreational activities and youth athletics. In addition, Benčina says it is important for the federation to 'work with young people on personal development in collaboration with the education system and reputable institutions.'

Gašper Hrastelj, a representative of the National Commission, said: 'We are pleased that the partnership emphasises the active role of the Commission and UNESCO in the field of sport.'

'We firmly support the federation's active work on the integration of young people in sport, as well as its efforts in the fields of clean sport, healthy competitive career of athletes and ethics as important components in the image of athletics.'

UNESCO is the lead agency within the United Nations system in the field of education, science and culture, which includes important roles in physical education, the fight against doping and the promotion of sport.

In addition to their work on the Young Leaders Community platform, UNESCO and European Athletics have cooperated on athlete anti-doping education measures and jointly staged three Young Leaders Forums since 2006. The next edition of the Forum will take place in conjunction with the 2014 European Athletics Championships in Zurich.

Slovenia has been one of the most active nations in the Young Leaders Community, which was created in 2011 to promote volunteering in athletics and recognise athletics-related projects designed and delivered by young people. To date, the 94 Slovenian members have donated more than 2,800 hours of volunteer work on projects.

For more information visit www.athleticscommunity.org.