The sports world meets the social sphere on many levels. Their paths cross in politics and economics, they overlap in areas of health and communication. Sportmeet’s main aim therefore, is to contribute to a culture of sport inspired by universal brotherhood based on the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”- a universal truth. On this basis, Sportmeet’s objectives and methods are now shared by people of many different beliefs, cultures and religions.

Through Sportmeet, athletes, professionals and others who work in the sports world have organised numerous sports initiatives of social worth: ongoing projects on different scales and in different parts of the world with a special focus on developing countries, war zones and socially disadvantaged areas. Sportmeet gives financial support as well as cultural and human resources to assure solidity and continuity to these projects.

The congress from 8- 10 April will address the issues of dignity and responsibility in sport and the attempt to go beyond the show business profile so as to rediscover its capacity to be a catalyst for social and cultural change. The title “moves people, moves ideas” expresses the desire to create new and positive relationships because changing sport means changing society.

The program will include talks by experts, personal experiences, round table discussions, workshops and games. Amongst the guest speakers are Italian and European university professors from various sport-related disciplines as well managers, psychologists, teachers, coaches and athletes. Names include Gianni Rivera, youth and school coordinator for Federcalcio Italiana, Valerio Bianchini and Marco Calamai, professional basketball trainers, Oreste Perri, athlete and head coach of the Italian Olympic Canoe team, now mayor of Cremona.

The convention is open to athletes of every category and discipline, trainers and coaches, teachers, managers, professors and students of physical education and motor skills development.

The program, registration form and video commercial for the event are on the website www.sportmeet.org