Call for abstracts: AIESEP seminar

Open call for applications to present at an international seminar in Timisoara, Romania, on sport pedagogy and physical education. Deadline for submissions: 20 June.

About AIESEP
The Association Internationale des Écoles Supérieures d'Éducation Physique (AIESEP) - International Association of Physical Education in Higher Education - is an international, non-governmental, non-profit, professional association which aims to promote high quality research worldwide in the areas of physical education, physical activity and sport pedagogy across the lifespan.

• Visit the AIESEP website:http://www.aiesep.ulg.ac.be/
  

Seminar Purpose
The purpose of the 2014 AIESEP Specialist Seminar in Timisoara, Romania, is to bring together experts in sport pedagogy and other specialists involved in outdoor and leisure activities in order to create a space of reflection and discussion on how to adapt to the increasing interest of society in this area.

One of the outcomes of the seminar will be an AIESEP position statement on the potential input of sport pedagogy and physical education teacher education to the development of a body of knowledge useful to practitioners in the outdoor and leisure fields. It is noteworthy that all around the world, a growing number of sport and physical education departments have opened new programmes preparing outdoor and leisure specialists. The seminar is expected to generate research projects and develop and reinforce networks for collaborations between AIESEP and other partners.

Call for papers
Any scientific research, implemented project, or front-line experience which corresponds to the congress theme and sessions may be presented as a poster presentation.

Abstracts of papers must be submitted before 20 June 2014 to aiesepfefstm@e-uvt.ro, and must comply strictly with the editorial instructions. They will be assessed by members of the Scientific Committee who will take into account the relevance and originality of the subject, the clarity of the text and compliance with the specific instructions.

Guiding Questions
Guiding questions for discussion will include, but not be limited to, the following:

• How do we define "outdoor and leisure physical activities"?
  -Where, what, when, for who, for what?
• What are the pedagogical competences needed to teach outdoor and leisure physical activities?
• What are the outcomes of effective outdoor and leisure physical activities?
• What is the place of outdoor and physical activities in the physical education setting?
• How best should we prepare educators for outdoor and physical activities?
  -What about physical education teachers?
  -What about physical education teachers' educators?
• What research data is available?

Get your voice heard at the Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting

What has sport given you? Take the opportunity to contact the Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace Group to show the sports ministers that sport is a valued tool in development and peace.

As the Commonwealth Games come to Glasgow, so do the Sport Ministers for the 7th Commonwealth Sports Ministers meeting. We, the Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace Working Group (CYSDP) will be presenting to Commonwealth sports ministers on the powerful role youth leadership plays in Sport for Development and Peace.

CYSDP
Established in May 2013, by the Commonwealth Secretariat, CYSDP is composed of 10 youth practitioners in the field of Sport for Development and Peace who have demonstrated a commitment to putting young people at the centre of sustainable development.

The campaign
We know that Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) is a powerful enabler of youth leaders, coaches, mentors and volunteers, helping us to gain valuable skills and competencies allowing us to contribute to society and develop leaders in our own communities. In our role to be the leading and driving voice for youth towards promoting best practices in sport for development and peace, we want to highlight the value of sport in advancing youth development to the Sports Ministers and ensure:

‘Young people should be central to all levels of decision making in order to maximise the contribution of sport to youth empowerment and development’
(CYSDP- 4th Commonwealth Sports Development Conference, Glasgow, August 2013)

We would like to represent the diverse range of young people in the Commonwealth who understand, support and value SDP and we need your input!

Get involved
Answer our questions below so we can show the sports ministers that sport is a valued tool in development and peace:

• How has sport given you leadership skills? If so, which ones and how?
• How has sport given you access to education, employment or a better quality of life? Tell us about it!
• How has sport allowed you to develop your life skills, build your confidence or given you access to a professional network?

Use the hashtag #sportgaveme, we want to hear from you:

• Twitter: @CommYouthSDP
• Facebook: Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace Working Group
• Email: cysdp@commonwealth.int

The Grassroot Project: Executive director

Sport and development employment opportunity at an organisation led by university student-athletes in Washington, DC.

Organisation overview
Founded in January 2009, the Grassroot Project (TGP) is the first non-profit organisation to be designed, initiated, and managed by current and former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletes. TGP uses the platform of sports and the power of student-athlete role models to educate, inspire, and mobilise youth to lead healthy lives. Our vision is that one day all teenagers will be equipped with the information necessary to make informed decisions about their health; empowered with the skills and support to make healthy choices; and connected to key health facilities and services.

Position overview
TGP has grown tremendously in our first five years - taking our work from four middle schools to 43 and growing our volunteer base from 40 athletes to more than 500. In 2013-2014, we began a strategic planning process to both broaden the curricular depth of our programmes and to expand our geographic reach.

We are looking for a executive director who can lead our organisation through its next phase of growth.  It is vital that the executive director have strong business, interpersonal, and management skills, leadership experience in the non-profit world, and a passion for the vision of TGP.

Core responsibilities

1. Strategic Planning: Set, implement, and measure progress toward short- and long- term goals for TGP
2. Resource development and management: Institute a diversified and ambitious annual fundraising effort and ensure effective management of current donors. The executive director will ensure that TGP remains a financially viable organisation
3. Human resources and operations: Provide overall professional direction and support to a staff of programme managers and student-athlete volunteers, while maintaining accountability, transparency, and high-quality outcomes
4. Financial Management and Oversight: Lead day-to-day financial operations, including developing and implementing budgets, preparing financial reports, and advising the president and board of directors on key financial decisions

Qualifications

• Passion for innovative programmes that deliver public health services to youth, as well as for a youth-led and volunteer-led organisational model
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategy, deliver results, manage a team, and serve as a spokesperson for a team or organisation
• Strong aptitude for fundraising and building long-term donor relationships
• Sound knowledge and skills in budgeting, strategic planning, and business development
• Substantial work experience in non-profit management and leadership (5+ years of experience preferred)
• Educational background in a related field (Masters level preferred)
• Ability to develop rapport with internal staff and external donors and stakeholders
• Commitment to the overall goals and vision of TGP

To apply
To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and list of three references to jobs@GrassrootProject.org. These documents should be emailed as attachments in .pdf or .doc format. Cover letters that are written directly into the body of the email will not be reviewed.

While there is no application deadline, interested candidates are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Beyond the picture - surf voluntourism with WAVES

WAVES are calling for volunteers who are looking for the opportunity to travel, surf and work with local communities in Peru towards social, educational and entrepreneurial development.

We have all seen that photo of a lucky person sifting their feet through the soft-white sand on a paradise island. It tempts us to drop our busy 9-5 work week and escape to be that lucky person. In Peru, there is a town that makes for a better experience. It isn’t your typical paradise though.

Lobitos
Oil rigs, the desert, family-owned restaurants, and world class waves all combine to make Lobitos a place for an uncommon volunteer experience. You’ll leave with more than a just temporary tan, though.

Volunteer experience
WAVES for Development is the organisation you want to work with to create these lasting memories. Located in Lobitos, Peru, WAVES provides volunteers the opportunity to surf, have fun and make a difference at the same time. A typical day for a volunteer begins with a ‘dawn patrol’, morning surf at one of the many world class breaks Lobitos has to offer. After having one of the best sessions of your life, you might find yourself creating a community garden, teaching English at a local school, or working with local entrepreneurs to create a bullet-proof business plan. Afterwards, you may choose to go for another surf, or continue your work, or maybe just take a siesta in the heat of the day. Just don’t forget to eat at one of the many family-owned cevicherias for lunch.

WAVES for Development
Wherever your interests lie, WAVES can fulfil while ensuring community needs are met. WAVES provides opportunities for the community to capitalise on the influx of surf-tourism. In addition to providing life-enriching experiences to volunteers, WAVES strives for lasting volunteer impact. Who knows? Maybe your return trip will find you eating at a restaurant that you helped start! Or you might even find yourself speaking to a soon to be sponsored surfer who you taught the importance of determination and dreaming. Before searching for the next paradise island, give yourself a chance to create experiences in a place you’ll least expect with an organisation that will do just that.

• Visit the WAVES for Development website for more information
• http://www.wavesfordevelopment.org/surf-voluntourism/#.U6QL6yiDf1V