Sharing experiences as a learning method is one of the project’s main goals. In Bucharest, between October 11 and 16th, Special Olympics Romania organized sports activities and theoretical sessions in order to fulfill this objective for the participants representing Terrès en Melèe, France, the Club Korfball Badalona, and the association La Rotllana.
Sports is the best tool for inclusion- the inclusion of people with disabilities in the community, the inclusion of volunteers and non-professionals into sports activities, the inclusion of the concept regarding “participation” as the most important aim in an area where performance seems to be the ultimate target. Having this in mind, on one hand, Special Olympics Romania provided the participants with the necessary knowledge and information about its mission, its philosophy, its beneficiaries, the main objectives and activities. Also, the speakers presented useful data about Special Olympics programs, rules, concepts (e.g. Unified Sports). In addition, the participants received valuable info on sports and independent lifestyle for people with physical disabilities.
Moreover, each organization made an interactive presentation of its goals and main activities. In this way, it was created the first concrete link between all the participants.
On the other hand, the volunteers and the professionals had the chance to take part in specific sports activities designed for people with disabilities: assisting and guiding them, but also playing together as partners. They all joined in a demonstration of children aged 2-8, they formed unified football and basketball teams and trained together, they participated in artistic gymnastics training. Above this, they ran along Special Olympics Romania athletes at the 3 km race that was part of the International Bucharest Marathon. In addition, they also experienced wheel chair basketball along with Special Olympics Romania partners from Motivation Romania Foundation.
The training course in Bucharest was one stage in the bigger process of promoting education through sports, encouraging young people to become volunteers, offering opportunities for social inclusion.
