Brussels, 10/12/2004 (Agence Europe) - European Education and Sports Commissioner Figel took part in the UNESCO international sports and physical education ministers' conference at Vouliagmeni, Greece, on 6/8 December, along with the Dutch Presidency of the Council of the EU. The Commissioner welcomed UNESCO's plan to adtop an anti-doping convention in September 2005. A recent Eurobarometer poll revealed that anti-doping is a priority for many Europeans, Figel pointed out (see EUROPE of 2 September, p.15).
Other topics discussed at the conference (the fourth of its kind) were the role of women in sport and a strategy for physical education. Commissioner Figel also welcomed the United Nations' plan to make 2005 the International Year of Sport and Physical Education. In a press release, he noted that the idea was very similar to the European Year of Education through Sport (EYES) celebrated in the EU throughout 2005 and the EU would be happy to share the EYES experience with stakeholders at the international level.