“Mens sana in corpore sano”, the Latins said. Never before has the ancient phrase reflected a global need for the search for physical and psychological well-being, which makes us part of a whole, from those around us to the environment in which we live. To achieve this balance, sport is an effective and very powerful tool, and as such it must be promoted and supported, in words and deeds.
We’ll talk about it, from 14 to 16 November, at the XX Catholic Information Forum for the Custody of Creation, entitled “Sustainable sport, inclusive and respectful of all. Responsible information and communication”, organized by Greenaccord, an international association that deals with environmental issues, with the Italian Sports Press Union (USSI), the Order of Journalists of Abruzzo and the Municipality of Pescasseroli (AQ). The appointment is in Pescasseroli, at the “Ettore Scola” cinema, in via Roma 2. «The theme of our Forum», he explains Alfonso Cauteruccio, president of Greenaccord «is born from the awareness that sport represents an authoritative and effective laboratory for educating and raising awareness on the issues of environmental sustainability, inclusion and gender equality».
Sport as an educational tool
But what is meant by sustainable sport? «The answer lies in the art. 33 of the Italian Constitution, which underlines its educational value”, he states Rossana Ciuffetti, director of Sport Impact of Sport e Salute SpA. «I am referring to a concept of sport that goes beyond technique, movement instruction and muscle training. Today we attribute to sport the value of an educational tool, for our young people and for all civil society. It is a source of content, relationship building, education on respect, not only for the environment». To translate all this into concrete activities, resources are needed: qualified people, projects, funding. «Thanks to government funds we are managing – through sports vouchers – to give many people who do not have the financial means to do so access to physical activities. Working on the social value of sport, therefore, is a way to make it sustainable.”
Another example? The revaluation of places. Like the Parco Verde di Caivano, in the Neapolitan hinterland, sadly known in the past for its high crime rate. «Through the creation of sports, play and entertainment spaces, today it is a regenerated area, serving the community», adds Ciuffetti.
Accessibility limited to the South
«In recent years, a lot of progress has been made by sports federations, in the effort to guarantee accessibility to all types of activities for everyone, also through the involvement of third sector bodies», he declares Enza Beltrone, USSI manager for projects, initiatives and communication. But the road to making sport truly a right for everyone is still long. «To be one hundred percent sustainable, sport must be an expression not only of physicality, but also of culture and being together», continues Beltrone. «The problem of accessibility is one of the open questions, which sees Southern Italy clearly penalized compared to the Centre-North. And I’m not just referring to the facilities dedicated to winter sports, but also to those of more popular disciplines, such as basketball or volleyball.” The proximity of the facilities, the convenience of transport, the availability of sponsors who support the life of the clubs in the area: in many areas of Italy these are still resources that are in short supply.
The long road to gender equality
Making sport sustainable also means overcome the gender gap, increasing the number of women not only in sports but also at managerial levels in companies. There are still “women’s” sports and “men’s” sports and there are only two women in Italy at the head of a sports federation (Cricket and Sports dance and music sports). Recent research carried out by Antonella Bellutti – former track cyclist, twice gold medalist at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games – revealed alarming data. «From a sample of 876 questionnaires, filled out by active and former athletes», continues Enza Beltrone, «it emerged that 77% of the interviewees have never had a contract with the club they belong to, 44% have suffered psychological violence, 77% feel discriminated against, 86% declare that there is no equality between male and female athletes. These are figures we need to reflect on, because they portray a situation against which women are unable to rebel, not feeling protected.”
These are walls that are not easy to break down, but we have to start somewhere. And communication is one of the first weapons to use. «All cultural changes pass through information. Words have weight”, underlines Beltrone, “they enter the minds of people – young people in particular – giving them back the dimension of what they are capable of doing. So let’s use them well, let’s use the correct ones. Because only in this way will we be able to reach the masses, ensuring the correct transition between the writer and the reader, breaking down prejudices and stereotypes.”
Gym of brotherhood and respect
As usual during the Forum the “Sentinels of Creation” will be delivered to journalists and communications workers who have particularly distinguished themselves for their articles on environmental issues, and to entrepreneurs who have chosen to reduce the impact of their companies, or who operate effectively in the environmental field.
«After the experience of the Festival of Creation, celebrated last summer for the 800th anniversary of the Song of Creatures, this new event represents a further step in the common journey of reflection and commitment to the care of our common home», he says Monsignor Giovanni Massaro, bishop of Avezzano (AQ). «The chosen theme invites us to look at sport as a gym of fraternity and respect, where competition leaves room for solidarity and where communication becomes an instrument of construction, not of division. May these days help all of us to promote, also through language and communication choices, a culture that combines respect for people, care for creation and commitment to a more just and inclusive society.”
