The conference “Olympism in Montenegro” continued its work with the panels “Olympism in primary and secondary schools in Montenegro” and “Olympism in schools and universities in Montenegro”.
The Olympic Education Program – OVEP was developed by the International Olympic Committee, which is related to education about Olympic values and the promotion of healthy lifestyles for school-aged children, and which is already successfully applied in many countries around the world. This program represents a unique opportunity to improve education in Montenegro and aims to encourage the development of positive values in male and female students, such as friendship, respect, equality, tolerance, solidarity, culture of peace, fair play and many other ethical and social values that are the basis of the Olympic Movement.
The basic idea of the program is the Olympic idea that “learning involves the whole body, not just the mind”. OVEP uses the traditions of Olympic sport and positive sporting values as a context for teaching life skills, values and long-term participation in sport for a healthy lifestyle.
“The introduction of OVEP into the school curriculum will enable education in Montenegro to be focused on the development of moral values, a culture of peace and tolerance, as well as the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. In addition, the program will help students develop sportsmanship, teamwork and a sense of social responsibility,” said Maja Peković, from the Montenegrin Olympic Committee, opening today’s first panel.
Frederik Zhamoli and Ksenija Kurguzova from the International Olympic Committee participated in the first panel, who explained the connection between art and Olympism, as well as the connection between education and Olympism and how the IOC can help the Montenegrin Olympic Committee in the implementation of the pilot program in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation. The next step in this sense is to raise the capacity of the teaching staff and prepare for the introduction of OVEP into the curriculum.
The panel moderated by Dr. Ivan Jovetić, Dean of the Faculty of Sports Management of the University of Donja Gorica, and attended by Prof. Dr. Milan Žvan, former dean of the Faculty of Sports of the University of Ljubljana, Marko Žunić, MSc, member of the FISU Executive Board, prof. Dr. Gordana Nikolić from PAR University in Rijeka and Prof. Dr. Nenad Stojiljković, from the University of Niš, asked for answers to the questions whether we can promote the values of Olympism through the education system, how similar the values of education and Olympism are, whether sport is becoming increasingly important in the era of technology dominance, especially AI, as well as whether sport and physical education can solve the problem of the short attention span of generation Z.
“The contribution of the UDG to Montenegrin sports and Olympism is multiple,” said Dr. Jovetić in his introductory speech. He cited the establishment of the Faculty of Sports Management (FSM) as a key step in providing top-notch education to professional athletes. He also emphasized the organization of sports events at UDG, such as the UDG Marathon and the Student Olympics, which contribute to the affirmation of sports among students.
“UDG annually awards scholarships to Montenegrin athletes in the amount of 170 thousand euros,” added Dr. Jovetić, pointing to the significant support that the university provides to athletes in their education. He proudly pointed out the presence of celebrated Olympians, who are students of UDG, in everyday student life, which additionally motivates and inspires young athletes.
In addition, UDG is actively involved in European projects, but also in important gatherings, such as those organized by CANU and COK, thus contributing to the development of Montenegrin sports and the promotion of Olympic values.
Academician Veselin Vukotić, president of the Organizing Committee, and Dušan Simonović, president of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee, pointed out the importance of Olympism for the development of the school system and society in Montenegro. It was concluded that CANU expresses its willingness to support the ideas of Olympism and contribute to the debate on Olympism issues. The participation of young people showed that there is a significant intellectual potential that can further develop the mission of Olympism in Montenegro.
“The Montenegrin Olympic Committee remains committed to the promotion of Olympic values and the development of sports in our country. Through cooperation with CANU and universities, as well as the engagement of young people, we will continue to develop the mission of Olympism and ensure that future generations will be the bearers of the sports spirit and Olympic ideals in Montenegro,” said COK president Dušan Simonović.
