Olympic values education programme

Sir Philip Craven, MBE
Chairman of the IOC Olympic Education Commission

How to use this Manual


How to use this Manual

The Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) is a series of learning resources that have been created by the International Olympic Committee.
Using the symbols of the Olympic Games, the themes of Olympism, and drawing extensively from the lore of the ancient and modern Olympic Games, this programme aims to disseminate a values-based curriculum that will shape the development of child and youth character. Using the context of Olympic sports, participants are taught skills and strategies that will help them to assume the responsibilities of global citizenship and civic literacy. To achieve these objectives OVEP has four key resources:

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  The Fundamentals of Olympic Values Education: A Sports-Based Programme
  
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  Delivering OVEP:
  

A Practical Guide to Olympic Values Education

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  Activity Sheets:
  

Exercises to Support Olympic Values Education

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  The Resource Library
  

The Fundamentals of Olympic Values Education manual is organised into four sections. The first section introduces participants to the core principles of Olympism—participants are provoked to think how these principles relate to their own lives. In the following three sections, the history, stories and symbols of the Olympic Games are explored using the Olympic educational themes. OVEP participants have the opportunity to deepen their experiences and understanding through a series of activity sheets.
Educators and participants can also draw on an extensive range of resources (films, articles, links) that are stored in The Resource Library.

ф Olympic Day 2011: Children form the Olympic rings in Latvia

How to use this Manual





In addition, the OVEP Train the Trainer: Learning Inspired through Physical Activity resources are linked with the OVEP 2.0 educational pack. Delivered through a workshop formatted structure, the content caters to a variety of learning environments and target groups. The training programme documentation is comprised of:

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  A 2.5 day workshop plan (including detailed small games and participant-centred activities) to meet learning objectives. Participants will receive a certificate or acknowledgement of having completed the programme that prepares them to deliver OVEP physical activity programmes to children and youth;
  
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  A Playbook (resource guide) based on pedagogical practices related to physical activity for children and youth sector. The Playbook will support participants’ attainment of skills and competencies around how to best deliver OVEP programming to the targeted audience from diverse cultures and in diverse settings;
  
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  Evaluation tools for trainers, as well as assessment of programme impact will be included as part of the monitoring and evaluation component.
  

Introduction to Olympic Values Education


“The future of our civilisation does not rest on political or economic foundations. It wholly depends on the direction given to education.”
Pierre de Coubertin

Introduction to Olympic Values Education
Section 1
Introduction to Olympic Values Education

Introduction


Introduction

The Fundamentals of Olympic Values Education includes background information and a variety of learning activities to help promote the educational values of Olympism.
When National Olympic Committees join the Olympic Movement and send athletes to compete at the Olympic Games, they agree to a shared set of values called “Fundamental Principles” (as set out in the Olympic Charter). These principles incorporate a set of values that the International Olympic Committee refers to as “The educational themes of Olympism” (see page 18).

The Manual contains information and material designed to facilitate values-based teaching and learning opportunities. The focus is on how to teach and learn the educational themes of Olympism, not on rigid factual learning. Since the Manual is designed for learners from five to 18 years, often with English as a second language, there are activities for a variety of different age levels and reading abilities. Teachers and youth group leaders are encouraged to adapt and rework activities so that they are appropriate for their learners and athletes.
In a world where obesity is a major concern, and where children in deprived communities need hope and a sense of achievement, physical activity and sport have an important role to play. The symbols and ceremonies, sports and cultural events of the Olympic Games are inspiring and motivational. They provide a relevant context for learning and teaching activities, and for promoting sport and physical activity.
The educational methods used in the Fundamentals Manual are based on current educational theory about multicultural, intercultural and multiple-intelligence approaches to learning and teaching.