Sport and Recreation
Nourishing Ideas > Philia in the Community > Sport and Recreation

The advent of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games has created a focal point around which the sport and disability communities in British Columbia have come together to advance the vision of a fully inclusive society. With "inclusion and accessibility" an officially declared legacy of the Games, Philia has joined with a broad coalition of citizens who seek to use the opportunity of the 2010 Games to create a province - and perhaps a whole country - that will be exemplary in its approach to disability. The vision advanced by this coalition broadens the Olympic/Paralympic focus on athletes to encompass all citizens with disabilities and emphasizes full accessibility and inclusion - that is, the removal of all barriers to the full participation and contribution of people with disabilities.

At the same time, Philia has partnered with the True Sport Secretariat to initiate dialogue on the role sport can play in strengthening community and building social capital. At the first True Sport-Philia Dialogue, held in Vancouver on May 31-June 1, 2004, a panel of distinguished sport and community leaders joined a roomful of interested citizens to explore how sport can create more vibrant and inclusive communities and how communities can develop and include sport programs that serve the needs of all residents.

On this page you will find links to a variety of initiatives, activities, organizations and documents relating to sport and community.

2010 Vision for Citizens With Disabilities

On July 29, 2003, Vancouver City Council passed a resolution asking B.C. municipalities to endorse a 2010 Vision for People With Disabilities. Shortly afterwards, a coordinator was hired, under the auspices of the Vancouver Agreement, to develop a strategic plan for implementing the vision, along with a rating instrument to help municipalities assess the accessibility and inclusivity of their services and facilities.

Since then, over 40 municipalities have endorsed the 2010 Vision, with more coming on board. The strategic plan has been completed and its report released. The rating instrument is scheduled for roll-out by July 2005. And new developments continue to arise as this grand initiative generates more and more interest. For more details and copies of the reports, please go to our page, 2010 Vision for People With Disabilities - and check back often to keep up to date on developments!

True Sport

Over the past few years, leaders in the sport, physical activity and healthy living sectors have examined the important role sport plays in strengthening the social fabric of our communities and building social capital. It is well recognized that community sport, in particular, can play an important role in building community relationships, creating a sense of neighbourhood and belonging, and fostering a more active citizenry. Yet sport does not always live up to its promise. The True Sport Movement was created to help sport realize its potential and make a powerful positive contribution to the development of people and communities.

On May 31 and June 1, 2004, True Sport and Philia got together to co-sponsor a panel discussion and dialogue on building True Sport communities: communities that celebrate and nurture the core values of fairness, excellence and inclusion through sport. Over the course of the two days, participants were invited to envision what we must do to create them. Noted sportswriter Wendy Long covered the dialogue and wrote a report on the proceedings. Click here to read Wendy's story, or download a printable version here (PDF, 220kb).