Български
NEWS
BSDA PARTICIPATED IN THE START TO TALK ROUNDTABLE
19.09.2023
On September 19, 2023, at the National Football Base "Boyana" in Sofia, Bulgaria, the second national roundtable within the framework of the Council of Europe's initiative - Start to Talk, took place to discuss the development of a roadmap and additional work needed to finalize and define the role of the child protection officer, their profile(s), necessary competencies, and training programs. The meeting also discussed measures and policies for child protection in sports, modern models, and key elements required in developing the roles of child protection officers, including the skills, knowledge, and experience of the individual. Representing the Bulgarian Sports Development Association (BSDA), Ivaylo Zdravkov, a member of the BSDA Board, participated in the event.
Sport is a means of self-expression and fulfillment, as well as a force for citizenship and solidarity. However, violence against children during sports activities still represents a significant obstacle and barrier to broader participation in sports and physical activities in organized and systematic sports clubs. These barriers operate on multiple levels (verbal, physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, social, cultural, organizational, economic, media-related, etc.) and are collectively perceived as a comprehensive negative culture that infiltrates the careers of every young athlete.
The initiative led by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Bulgaria aims to counteract the abuses, violence, and harassment directed at child athletes in sports clubs in the EU through a comprehensive approach that combines past and present efforts and resources to tackle this problem and strengthen overall sports governance systems to address it. The innovative aspect of the project lies in the attempt to enhance the engagement of all individual stakeholders by addressing the issue and providing mutual support.
The initiative led by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Bulgaria aims to counteract the abuses, violence, and harassment directed at child athletes in sports clubs in the EU through a comprehensive approach that combines past and present efforts and resources to tackle this problem and strengthen overall sports governance systems to address it. The innovative aspect of the project lies in the attempt to enhance the engagement of all individual stakeholders by addressing the issue and providing mutual support.
