International Sport and Culture Association

The International Sport and Culture Association, ISCA is a non-governmental and not-for-profit international umbrella association of organisations working in the fields of Sport for All, Youth and Culture.

History

ISCA was founded in 1995 with the purpose of providing an alternative image of sport in a world of increasingly performance-based attitude of international sports federations. Since its foundation in 1995, ISCA has grown rapidly it has today more than 130 affiliated member organisations (primarily non-governmental) in four continents, from more than 70 countries worldwide and more than 22 million individual members.The association is governed by an executive committee of seven elected members and is steered by continental and technical committees. The secretariat is based in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Sport and Culture for All

ISCA has a vision of sport that is not just about competition and exercise, but also involves learning, having a good time and making friends. Moreover, it is ISCA's philosophy that sport regulates social behaviour and creates a feeling of belonging–which in turn leads to a more inclusive society. ISCA believes that everyone should be given the chance to participate in international activities such as festivals, exchanges and sports tournaments which are understood as unrivalled means of creating international understanding.

Role

ISCA targets youth, sports and culture associations from all over the world, primarily non-governmental organisations generally speaking, voluntary sport organisations which have a value-based service to their members. The practical reality is to encourage all organisations to assist the members and regions/clubs in fulfilling their aims in providing services and instruments to achieve this. The international interest of the sports organisations’ members today demands that international opportunities are provided indeed, organisations have an interest in developing. Organisational development and inspiration are the basis for fulfilling the goals of the organisation in the long run.

To fulfil the above, ISCA concentrates on three key areas: activities, education and policy-making. ISCA not only offers and promotes events and educational programmes but additionally takes a full role in the public debate on sport and culture and strives to influence policies in these areas. Overall, ISCA hopes to improve the general health and well being of individuals in creating a united society.

Aims and Objectives

Supporting cross-border understanding through sport and culture.

Promoting sport as a bearer of cultural identity.

Encouraging the broadest possible participation in sports and cultural activities for affiliated members.

CultureSports

ISCA has for the past 7 years published an annual magazine entitled CultureSports. The magazine focuses on a chosen thematic for each edition and gathers information from past experience through ISCA events, debates regarding the treated theme, updates from projects around the globe from its member organisations as well as various sources within thematic sector concerned.

CultureSports 2007 - Health & IntegrationCultureSports 2006 - The health issueCultureSports 2005 - People's SportCultureSports 2004 - Sport for unity and developmentCultureSports 2003 - Education through sportCultureSports 2002 - Across the worldCultureSports 2001 - An open mind

CultureSports online [http://isca-web.org/english/library/magazine0/culturesports]

External links

* [http://www.isca-web.org ISCA]