FIFA/CIES Network: Fruitful discussions in Buenos Aires

The representatives of 15 universities gathered for two and a half days of intense discussions during the 3rd Seminar of the FIFA/CIES International University Network held in Buenos Aires from 12 to 14 April. The objectives of the seminar were to review the current activities of the Network and to define the key focal points of our work for the years to come.

 

Under the auspices of Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA), the first partner in the Network, the seminar allowed some fifty participants to discuss themes primarily intended to strengthen the relationships between CIES and the partner universities, but also among the universities themselves. The event also addressed themes such as the Network and the world of sport or the advantages and disadvantages of sponsorship in the academic world.

 

Dr José Clariá, Professor at UCA and Director of the FIFA/CIES Programme, emphasized the importance that the Programme has gradually gained in the world of sports management in Argentina. CIES President Bertrand Reeb highlighted the pioneering spirit of UCA in the Network adventure and the need to maintain an innovative approach for the projects of Network members. Finally, Cyril Loisel, FIFA Head of Development Programmes, confirmed the desire to strengthen synergies between FIFA and CIES.

 

During the seminar, participants also attended conferences on themes as diverse as the structure of world sport, the history of Buenos Aires and its football or the tragic life of Victor Sánchez, an athlete who died under the Argentine military dictatorship.

 

The participants ended their discussions with the need to reinforce bilateral and multilateral relationships between universities (mixed curricula, research projects, shared knowledge) and to open up even more to sport and its realities.

 

Our sincere thanks to José, Mariano, Rafael, Julio, Guillermo, Christian, Sebastian, Oscar, Alejandro, Marylin, Rafael, Ingrid, Mario, Victor, Denise, Alexssandra, Ricardo, Pedro, Alberto, Sebastian, Yamileth, Judith, Margarita, Clement, Errol, Surendra, Charisse, Rosa, Denver, Vernon, Amadou, Ndoffène, Pape, Wael, Ammar, Tamer, Amr, Marwan, Rania, Jamal, Susan, Francisco, Isabel, Suzana, Mariola, Alfredo, Nadim, Svitlana, Harold, Bertrand, Denis, Pierre, Roland and Vincent.