Physical activity as means of social integration

The project "Moving toward Integration" promotes the social integration of children and youth from migrant backgrounds by facilitating their access to organised sport.
This project was initiated by SAD and the Swiss Federal Institute of Sports Magglingen (SFISM), and has been jointly supported by both institutions since early 2005.

Movement and sport have a large integrative potential. Shared activities create a platform for individual contact and mutual respect. Movement and sport can be pursued by everyone, regardless of age, social class, gender, background and native language. Numerous studies, however, show that migrants are underrepresented in both individual and team sports (as well as in associations, clubs, etc). Many projects have also shown that children and young people from migrant backgrounds often face obstacles in their access to organised, recreational sport.

In order to facilitate access, "Moving toward Integration" strengthens ties between schools and organised sport structures. Teachers and sport instructors both play a key role in promoting social integration. This project strengthens their skills and supports them in their work.

Project objectives

• Facilitating the access of migrant children and youth to movement and sport.
• Supporting awareness-raising among teachers and sports instructors.

Project schedule and activities

From 2005 to 2007 an approach to facilitate the students' access to movement and sport was developed together with 13 partner schools and various sport instructors.

Practical activities were jointly developed, implemented and evaluated. The results were compiled in a practical instruction manual and a scientific report. The manual was published in German in mid-2007 and in French in early 2008 and can be ordered at the FOSPO or downloaded as a pdf-document.

Presently the subject physical activity as a means for social integration is further deepened. The main focuses are the implementation of the approach in further training of teachers and sport instructors, networking and applied research. Moreover SAD is actively involved in the development of the Centre of competence for integration through sport at the FOSPO, which will set out in 2009.

Partner

Swiss Federal Institute of Sports Magglingen (SFISM)

Jenny Pieth, Project Director
phone: +41 (0)32 344 30 58
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The manual can be ordered at the FOSPO or downloaded as a pdf-document .